Residential permit rules in Ohio
Representative cities: Columbus, Cleveland. Covers 16 common home projects.
| Project | Permit? | Authority | Typical fee | Timeline | Go / No-Go | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) | Permit required | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125; total scales with project valuation and trade permits. Municipal fees vary. | Residential permits ~10 business days (Columbus BZS). | Case by case | Ohio’s Residential Code (based on the 2018 IRC) governs construction; ADUs need a building permit plus local zoning approval. Confirm ADU legality with your city (e.g., Columbus BZS). |
| 🪵 Deck / Porch | Permit required | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125; total scales with valuation. | Residential permits ~10 business days (Columbus BZS). | Generally allowed | Decks require a permit (Columbus lists deck/ramp permits). Attached decks and any deck more than 30 in above grade always require one. |
| 🧱 Fence / Wall | Conditional | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125 where a permit is required. | — | Generally allowed | Columbus exempts fences 6 ft or lower; other Ohio municipalities vary. A permit is typically required above 6 ft or in overlay/historic districts. |
| 🛖 Shed / Outbuilding | Conditional | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125 for permitted sheds. | — | Generally allowed | Larger sheds and any shed with utilities require a building permit. Cleveland and other cities follow the Ohio Residential Code with local fee schedules. Exempt: Under 120 sq ft exempt (Ohio RCO / Columbus). |
| 🪜 Basement Finish | Permit required | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125; total scales with scope. | Residential permits ~10 business days (Columbus BZS). | Generally allowed | Finishing a basement into habitable space requires permits for egress, framing, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work. Sleeping rooms need code-compliant egress. |
| 🚗 Garage / Carport | Permit required | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125; total scales with valuation. | — | Generally allowed | A new garage requires a permit (Columbus lists detached garages/sheds permits). |
| ☀️ Rooftop Solar PV | Permit required | city | Electrical/structural permit fee; Columbus minimum permit fee $125. | — | Generally allowed | Rooftop solar PV requires an electrical and structural permit. Columbus lists rooftop solar panel permits. |
| 🌡️ HVAC Replacement | Permit required | city | Mechanical permit fee; Columbus minimum permit fee $125. | — | Generally allowed | Furnace, AC, or heat-pump replacement requires a mechanical permit and inspection. |
| 🍳 Kitchen Remodel | Permit required | city | Building permit fee; Columbus minimum $125, trade permits billed separately. | — | Generally allowed | A permit is required when relocating plumbing/electrical, moving walls, or changing fixtures. Cosmetic-only work may be exempt. |
| 🛁 Bathroom Remodel | Permit required | city | Building permit fee; Columbus minimum $125, trade permits billed separately. | — | Generally allowed | A permit is required when relocating plumbing/electrical, moving walls, or changing fixtures. Cosmetic-only updates may be exempt. |
| 🏗️ Room Addition | Permit required | city | Building permit fee based on valuation; Columbus minimum $125 plus plan review. | Plan-review permits ~10+ business days (Columbus BZS). | Generally allowed | Room additions change the footprint and require a full building permit, zoning approval, and usually a site plan. |
| 🪟 Window / Door Replacement | Conditional | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125 where a permit is required. | — | Generally allowed | Swapping windows or exterior doors in the same opening is generally exempt; enlarging or adding openings requires a permit. |
| 🏘️ Roof Replacement | Permit required | city | Roof-covering permit fee; Columbus minimum $125. | — | Generally allowed | Roof covering replacement is typically permitted; minor leak repairs may be exempt. |
| 🅿️ Driveway / Parking Pad | Conditional | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125 where a permit is required. | — | Generally allowed | A permit may be required where the driveway connects to the street/right-of-way or involves significant grading. Verify locally. |
| 🏊 Swimming Pool / Spa | Permit required | city | Building permit fee; Columbus minimum $125; barrier fencing required. | — | Generally allowed | Pools require a permit and barrier fencing. Columbus lists swimming pool permits (above-ground and in-ground). |
| 🧱 Retaining Wall | Conditional | city | Columbus minimum permit fee $125 where a permit is required. | — | Generally allowed | Height and whether the wall supports a surcharge (driveway, structure, or slope above) determine the permit threshold. Verify with your municipality. |