Window tint laws in Ohio (2026)

The rules, window by window

Windshield

Sunscreening material applied along the top of the windshield that does not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or five inches from the top, whichever is closer to the top, is unregulated. Below that, material used with the windshield glazing must have a light transmittance of not less than 70 percent plus or minus 3 percent and must not be red or yellow (OAC 4501-41-03(A)(1)-(2)).

The standard in the law's own words

ORC 4513.241(A) frames the standard as prohibiting materials that prevent a person of normal vision looking into the vehicle from seeing or identifying persons or objects inside.

Reflectivity

No reflectorized materials are permitted upon or in any front windshield, side windows, sidewings, or rear window (ORC 4513.241(F); restated in OAC 4501-41).

Color restrictions

Sunscreening material on the windshield and on the side windows to the immediate right or left of the driver must not be red or yellow in color (OAC 4501-41-03(A)).

Medical exemption

Ohio has no medical exemption for tint darkness. ORC 4513.241(B) only lets rules exempt owners of vehicles that were non-conforming before November 11, 1994 or brought in by new residents; the administrative rule contains no medical waiver. Not stated as a medical accommodation anywhere in the section.

Enforcement

Numeric standards live in the administrative code (OAC ch. 4501-41), adopted by the director of public safety under ORC 4513.241. Operating a non-conforming registered vehicle is a minor misdemeanor; installing non-conforming material (division (D)) is a fourth-degree misdemeanor and carries civil liability to the vehicle owner. Sunscreening material must bear a legible label (manufacturer and light transmission percentage) in the lower left corner of the window. Standards are stated as combined transmittance (material in conjunction with the safety glazing) with a plus or minus 3 percent tolerance.

Notes

Front side windows (immediate right or left of the driver): combined light transmittance not less than 50 percent plus or minus 3 percent (OAC 4501-41-03(A)(3)). Side windows behind the driver and the rear window fall under OAC 4501-41-03(A)(4), which permits any sunscreening material on windows not otherwise listed, except that outside left and right rear view mirrors are required if material on the rear window brings combined transmittance below 50 percent plus or minus 3 percent. So rear side windows and the rear window have no VLT floor (mirrors required for a dark rear window). Manufacturer tinting complying with FMVSS 205 is excepted. Primary-source note: codes.ohio.gov (the official portal) refused automated connections; text was verified from the onecle full-text reproduction of ORC 4513.241 and the Cornell LII reproduction of OAC 4501-41-03, cross-checked against search excerpts of the official pages. A human reviewer should confirm against codes.ohio.gov.