Richland County Building RegulationsWhat areas does the Richland County Building Department serve?
When can I talk to the plan examiner?
How do I get a code question answered?
Call our office during normal business hours of 8:00 am-4:00 pm and ask speak to an inspector or a plans examiner.
Do I have to be registered as a contractor?
At this time, only Sanitary Sewer Contractors tying into the Richland County Sanitary Sewer Systems need to be registered with the Richland County Building Department. Local jurisdictions may require contractor. Plumbing contractors should check with the local health dept. Check with the zoning inspector listed on the Zoning Inspectors Page.
Commercial Electrical, Mechanical, Fire Alarm, Automatic Sprinkler, Fire Suppression, and Plumbing work must be performed by contractors licensed by the State of Ohio. For information on licensing, please call the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board at (614) 644-3493 or visit their website at http://www.com.state.oh.us/dic/dicocilb.htm.
How do I register as a Sanitary Sewer Contractor?
Please download a Sanitary Sewer Contractor Registration Packet from the forms page on our website.
You will need the following:
Who checks chemical problems?
The local Fire Department and the local Health Department.
Where do I get a house number?
Check with your local zoning inspector. Zoning inspectors are listed by jurisdiction on the Zoning Inspectors Page. For unzoned townships, check with your Regional Planning Commission or County Engineer.
How soon can I move into my new house or building?
Once you receive your Certificate of Occupancy (C/O). This is issued once you have received final building/electrical/plumbing inspections. For commercial jobs that require testing by outside agencies, such as the local Fire Department, once verification reports have been received by our office, the C/O will be processed.
What is the frost depth for the area?
Thirty-Six (36) inches below finished grade.
What is the wind load?
Wind load should be determined from a Wind Speed of 90 mph (3-second gust)
What is the ground snow load?
The ground snow load is twenty (20) psf.
I lost my plans and/or permit card. What do I do?
Please call our office and we can issue a new permit card or make copies of the approved set of plans on file.
What work requires a permit?
Additions, Automatic Sprinkler Systems, Carports, Change of Use, Commercial Construction (i.e. apartments, condos, churches, businesses, restaurants), Cooling Systems, Commercial Kitchen Exhaust Hoods, Construction Trailers, Decks, Electrical Work, Fire Alarms, Fire Suppression Systems, Garages, Interior Alterations, Kiosks, Manufactured Home Installations (single wide and double wide)(HUD), Modular Homes(State of Ohio Industrialized Units), Moving Buildings, Plumbing (from Health Dept), Power Poles, Remodeling, Retaining Walls, Roofing (this applies to new roofs, not shingles only), Sewer Tap-In , Signs, Single Family Dwellings, Site Lighting, Sprinkler Systems, Storage Buildings, Swimming Pools (above and in-ground), Tents, and Towers.
Do I need a permit for a patio?
No, a permit is not needed if the patio is constructed on grade. If the patio is to be elevated in any form or has a frost protected footing (36” deep minimum), then a permit is required and is considered a deck.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Yes, if the fence is over six (6) feet high.
Do I need a permit for a swimming pool?
Yes, if the pool is over twenty-four (24) deep. Please refer to the Swimming Pool checklist for requirements.
Do I need structural drawings for a swimming pool?
Yes. For in-ground pools only. Please refer to the Swimming Pool checklist for requirements.
Do I need a permit for a retaining wall?
Yes, if the retaining wall is over 4’ in height.
Do I need a driveway permit?
No. Check with your local jurisdiction.
Do I need a permit for sidewalks?
No. Check with your local jurisdiction.
Do I need a new roof permit?
Yes, if you are installing or replacing new trusses/rafters or sheathing.
Do I need structural drawings for a deck?
Yes. Please refer to the Residential Deck Plan Requirements sheet.
Do I need structural drawings for a storage building? Why?
Yes, if over two hundred (200) square feet for residential buildings and 120 sq ft for commercial. See the residential accessory building plans requirements or commercial building plan requirements.
Do I need drawings for a sprinkler system, fire alarms, and hoods?
Yes. The drawings need to be sealed by a registered design professional. Please refer to the Fire Protection Systems Construction Documents form.
What do I need to apply for a permit?
All permits require a site plan, approved zoning permit (where applicable) in zoned townships, and an approved Stormwater permit for projects in the jurisdiction of the Richland County Soil and Water Conservation District. . For specific permits requirements, please refer to the Residential Building Checklist or Commercial Building Checklist found on the forms page. A detailed site plan checklist is available on the forms page as well.
How many sets of drawings do I need to submit?
A minimum of two sets of drawings need to be submitted. For Fire Alarms/Sprinklers/Suppression, a minimum of three sets of drawings need to be submitted.
How do I apply for a permit?
Submit all of the required information to our office in person from 8:00 am -3:30 pm Monday-Friday or mail the required information and fees. An application and fee schedule is found on our forms page. If you are unsure of any fees, please call our office at (419) 774-5517 or submit the required information and we will be happy to calculate the fees and call you with the amount.
How long does it take to get a permit?
How much does a permit cost?
The cost is based upon the type and size of project. Please refer to The Richland County Fee schedule for permits within Richland County. For other counties, please refer to the fee schedule for the Counties of Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Seneca, and Wyandot.
What services are covered by the permit fees?
Permit fees cover the application, plan review, all inspections, and the certificate of occupancy. Additional fees may be charged during the construction process for reasons including but not limited to the following: additional review of revised drawings, missed inspections, multiple inspections for incomplete work, or additional square footage in the project.
What happens if I don't get a permit?
If you are working without a permit, inspectors will order all work stopped and have any contractors leave the jobsite immediately. Permit fees will double, and work cannot begin again until a permit is issued.
How long is a permit valid?
You have twelve (12) months from the date the permit is issued to start construction, otherwise the permit expires. If in the course of construction, work is delayed or suspended for more than six months the permit becomes invalid. You may request an extension prior to the expiration of the permit for an additional fee.
How detailed do my drawings have to be?
What information is required for an inspection?
All work to be inspected must be complete and accessible to the inspector. An approved set of plans and the permit card must be on site. The address or house number must be plainly visible and legible from the street or road fronting the property.
How soon can I have an inspection?
When the work is completely ready for inspection and a twenty-four (24) hour notice is given for such inspection.
Who should schedule an inspection?
Inspections may be scheduled by the owner, contractor, architect, or engineer. The person scheduling the inspection should make sure that all parties working on the job are aware of the inspection and make sure that the inspector can access the work to be inspected.
How do I schedule an inspection?
A twenty-four (24) hour notice is required for inspections. Please call our office at (419) 774-5517 and have the following information ready:
Do I need to be present for an inspection?
No. The inspector does need to have access to the work to be inspected. If no one will be present during the inspection, please leave directions (i.e. - key location, lock combination, garage door code, etc.) for the inspector to gain access if the structure will be locked.
When do you inspect?
We inspect Residential permits in Richland County Monday-Friday.
We regularly inspect commercial permits as follows:
If these scheduled days present a problem for a specific situation, please call our office prior to scheduling an inspection and every effort will be made to accommodate the specific situation.
Will you give an inspection time?
Unfortunately, we cannot give inspection times or appointments when the inspection is scheduled. The inspection schedules are made the day of the inspection. Please call our office after 8:30 am the day of the inspection and an approximate 2-hour window will be given as to when the inspector will be on the job site.
Will the inspector call prior to making an inspection?
If requested at the time of scheduling, the inspector will call approximately 30 minutes prior to the inspection.
What types of inspections are required?
Depending on the type of construction, you could have the following inspections:
Do I need a permit for an electrical service upgrade or adding a generator?
Yes. If the work is done by a state-licensed electrician, then a drawing is recommended, but not required. For all other contractors or home owners, a drawing is required. Please see the electrical service requirements on the forms page.
Do I need a permit to change part of my electrical system or to add a circuit?
Yes.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
If the square footage of the shed is 200 square feet or greater or the shed is placed on a frost protected foundation (36” minimum), then a permit is required. Dimensions are taken from the outside edges of the structure. Please refer to the Accessory Storage Building/Garage Checklist for specific requirements.
Do I need a concrete floor in my garage or storage building?
If motor vehicles are to be used in the structure for any reason, then a non-permeable floor is required. A non-permeable floor can be constructed of asphalt or concrete. Please refer to the Accessory Storage Building/Garage Checklist for specific requirements.
What kinds of footings are required under posts?
A concrete footing, six (6) inches thick minimum is required under the posts. For decks only, a concrete footing, eight (8) inches thick minimum is required under the posts. Pre-cast concrete blocks are allowed. All sack-type concrete must be properly wet-mixed, placed, and set prior to placing posts in holes. A footing inspection is required prior to placing concrete or footings.
I have an existing residential house or building that I would like to put a commercial business in. What is required?
This would require an interior alterations permit. Drawings sealed by a Registered Design Professional (an architect or engineer registered with the State of Ohio) are required to be submitted. For specific requirements, please see the Codes Compliance Checklist on the Forms page.
I have an existing commercial building that I want to put my business in. What is required?
How do I obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for a Daycare?
If the daycare operation is existing or functioning in a current daycare operation, a code compliance inspection is required. Please see our Code Compliance and Daycare checklists.
If the daycare is being built in a new structure or is going in to a structure that was previously not a daycare, then Change of Use/Commercial Interior Alterations permits are required.
Please call our office with any questions at (419) 774-5517.
How do I obtain a Phased Approval?
Please call our office prior to submitting construction documents for approval. You will need to speak with a commercial plans examiner to determine the process for your specific project.
I need to use part of a building prior to completing all construction. What do I do?
A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued depending on the amount of work that is complete. Please call our office and speak with an inspector or a plans examiner.
What is required for a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy?
A letter from the Architect or Engineer stating what areas are desired to be occupied a highlighted 8 1?2” x 11” floor plan of the areas, what work is completed, what work remains, and completion date for the remaining work. Submit these items to our office with the appropriate fee as found on our fee schedule. We will review the request and contact the appropriate party to schedule an inspection prior to occupying the areas. Life Safety Features must be in place and a Temporary Occupancy Inspection must be made before a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy is issued.