Franklin County building department

Franklin County Economic Development and Planning (EDP) runs the county Building Department, which issues structural, electrical, and HVAC permits outside the cities that have their own building departments. That means mostly unincorporated township land, plus some small villages. The City of Columbus and other municipalities with their own certified departments issue permits inside their limits, but a “Columbus, OH” mailing address on township land can still mean a county permit. Check the parcel’s jurisdiction before you apply.

Who handles what

• Building, electrical, HVAC permits: EDP Building Department.
• Plumbing permits, private wells, and septic approvals: Franklin County Public Health, 280 East Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215, (614) 525-3160. These go through Public Health, not the EDP portal.
• Zoning: The county Zoning Division administers the Franklin County Zoning Resolution for township areas, but Blendon, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Plain, Prairie, and Washington Townships run their own zoning. The building permits page also lists the villages of Canal Winchester, Harrisburg, Minerva Park, Lockbourne, Riverlea, Urbancrest, and Valleyview as places where the zoning compliance letter comes from the local jurisdiction rather than the county.

Projects that need a county building permit

According to the county’s Building FAQ, permits are required for:

• new houses and modular houses
• residential interior alterations
• replacement of doors, windows, roofing, or siding on a residence
• detached garages and pole barns
• decks, swimming pools, and sunrooms or porches
• accessory structures over 200 sq ft
• moving a structure
• demolition

The FAQ notes that an above-ground pool doesn’t need a building permit but still needs zoning compliance. The county applies the Residential Code of Ohio (the FAQ cites the 2019 edition) and lists a 32-inch frost depth for footings.

Applying

A homeowner, a contractor, or someone acting as the owner’s agent may apply. You don’t need a contractor’s license to get a structural building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, but electrical, heating, and plumbing work must be done by a validly licensed contractor. See owner-builder permits.

Building, electrical, and HVAC permits can be filed online through the county’s SmartGov Permit Portal or in person at the permit counter. A building submittal needs a set of electronic or paper drawings with:

• index
• foundation, elevations, and sections
• site plan
• floor plans
• exterior wall envelope
• mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) layout

New houses also need the recorded deed and a zoning compliance letter from the jurisdiction that handles zoning for the parcel. For lots on public water and sewer, the county says building permits are issued 7 to 10 days after full plan approval. On private well or cistern sites, electrical and HVAC permits are issued the same day once Public Health has approved.

Zoning compliance first

In county-zoned areas, you need a Certificate of Zoning Compliance before changing the use of a building or land, building, extending, or altering a structure, or disturbing one acre or more. Residential zoning compliance and zoning confirmation letters can be filed through the same SmartGov portal, but as an application separate from the building permit. Questions go to [email protected] or (614) 525-3094.

Fee schedule highlights

EDP’s posted fee schedule (effective January 1, 2014) lists:

Item	Fee
Building permit	$120 base (first 1,000 sq ft) plus $10 per additional 100 sq ft
Deck under 1,000 sq ft	$75
Roof, siding, or window replacement	$50 each
Occupancy permit	$50
Demolition permit	$50
Electrical permit	$1.50 per outlet, $0.50 per amp; $60 minimum
HVAC permit	$10 per 10 runs; $75 minimum
Initial plan review	$50 (none for roof, siding, windows)
Re-inspection	$75
Residential Certificate of Zoning Compliance	$75
Fence permit/zoning compliance	$25

Building fees don’t include the 1% State Building Permit Surcharge. Penalties are steep: work without a permit costs a $150 base penalty plus 3 times the fee, occupancy without a permit costs $500, and work without registration costs $150 per day.

Office locations and hours

• Permit counter: 142 South Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to noon. Appointments preferred.
• EDP main office: 150 South Front Street, FSL Suite 10, Columbus, OH 43215. By appointment only.

Building Department: (614) 525-3166, [email protected]. EDP general line: (614) 525-3095.