Toledo building department

The City of Toledo Division of Building Inspection, part of the Department of Economic Development, is the state-certified building department for work inside Toledo city limits. It reviews construction documents, issues permits and certificates of occupancy, inspects work, and licenses construction trades. It enforces the Ohio Building Code, the Residential Code of Ohio, and the related mechanical, electrical, and fire-safety codes, along with the Toledo Municipal Code.

City of Toledo vs. Lucas County

Lucas County Building Regulations handles residential construction across the county except within the corporation limits of the City of Maumee, City of Oregon, City of Toledo, Village of Berkey, and Village of Whitehouse. A Toledo mailing address doesn’t guarantee the property is inside the city, so confirm the municipal boundary first. See city or county: who issues your building permit.

What does and doesn’t need a permit

Toledo says minor repairs and small projects can go ahead without a building permit if they don’t affect structural stability, safety, or public health. The city’s examples:

• Sheds, playhouses, and greenhouses under 200 sq ft
• Fences up to 6 feet high
• Paint, tile, carpet, and cabinet work
• Minor plumbing repairs
• Swings and playground equipment

Skipping the building permit doesn’t mean skipping zoning. Fences and small accessory buildings still need a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, and property in a historic district also needs a Certificate of Appropriateness.

Certificate of Zoning Compliance

The Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission at One Government Center reviews zoning compliance under Toledo Municipal Code Part 11. You must get it before applying for the related building permit. The fee is $50, and approval usually takes several business days. A certificate is required for:

• any new structure or addition regulated by the Ohio Building Code
• any fence, regardless of height
• any new or expanded driveway
• any swimming pool deeper than 24 inches
• any accessory structure, such as a shed or garage
• any deck or ramp

Apply online with a site plan showing the location of the structure, plus its size, height, purpose, and materials.

Residential project rules from the city’s homeowner guides

Project	Toledo requirement
Fence	Zoning compliance always. Maximum height 3.5 ft in the front yard and 6 ft in side and rear yards. No setback required, so a fence can sit on the property line. The finished side faces out. Repairs of 100 sq ft or less with matching materials are exempt.
Shed or garage	Building permit and plan review over 200 sq ft. Zoning compliance for all. At least 3 ft from side and rear lines (1 ft overhang allowed). One story, under 20 ft average height, maximum of two accessory buildings per lot.
Above-ground pool	Zoning compliance if deeper than 24”. Electrical bonding permit at 42” deep. 4 ft barrier with locking gates. 3 ft from property lines.
In-ground pool	Zoning compliance and an electrical bonding permit. 4 ft barrier with locking gates. 8 ft from property lines. A pool deck needs a building permit and site plan review.

Toledo also bans fences made of used or discarded materials such as pallets, doors, or tires, and wood fence posts must be treated lumber. The city’s guide covers more on decks: do I need a permit for a deck.

Applying online

Toledo’s Permit Application and Electronic Plan Review Portal handles applications, plan uploads, payments, permit tracking, and inspection requests. If you create your new account with the same email you used in the old system, your previous permits and applications carry over. The city has step-by-step pages for creating an account, paying online, and searching permit history by address. Card payments (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) carry a 2.95% surcharge, and e-checks cost a flat $1.

For larger projects, the city offers a pre-development meeting with building, economic development, utilities, fire prevention, and other staff.

Inspections

Schedule inspections Monday through Friday through the portal (instructions) or by calling (419) 245-1220 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. The old 24-hour automated phone line has been discontinued.

Certificates of occupancy

Toledo requires a certificate of occupancy when new construction or a large renovation is finished, and when a property’s ownership or use changes. Even an existing building with no work planned may need one. For an existing building with no work, submit the Certificate of Occupancy Request Form. For new construction or a change of use, submit plans by an Ohio-licensed architect or engineer. The plans must show a code summary, construction type and use group, an occupant-load analysis with dimensioned floor plans and exits, and fire-safety equipment.

Before a CO is issued, the work needs building, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and Fire Prevention Bureau inspections, plus a Health Department inspection where applicable (Health Department: (419) 213-4100).

Trade licensing

Toledo issues contractor, journeyman, and apprentice licenses for electrical, HVAC, plumbing and hydronics, refrigeration, fire contracting, home improvement and remodeling, sign, and sidewalk work. Licenses for 2026 had to be renewed by December 31, 2025. Starting in 2026, home remodeling contractors must complete 10 hours of continuing education each year. You can renew through the portal, in person on the 16th floor of One Government Center, or by mail. The city also posts a list of registered contractors. For licensing questions, email [email protected].

Contact

The Division of Building Inspection is at One Government Center, Suite 1600, 640 Jackson Street, Toledo, OH 43604. Phone (419) 245-1220, fax (419) 245-1326. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.