Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 723.38

No corporation or individual shall perform any work in the construction of a street railway until application for permission is made in writing to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation, and until such legislative authority, by ordinance, has granted permission and prescribed the terms upon and the manner in which such railway shall be constructed and operated, and the streets and alleys to be used and occupied therefor. The legislative authority may renew any such grant at its expiration upon such conditions as are considered conducive to the public interest.