How to Get a Columbus Building Permit

How to Apply for a Columbus Building Permit

When you intend to start a building project, what often comes to mind? Many people will think about the design, property value, or contractor. But one essential thing you should also consider is whether your project needs a permit or not. Under normal conditions, you should get approval before starting any project in Columbus.

But applying for a City of can be a nuisance. It involves several processes, documentation, and understanding of the local regulations. Still, there's a way to make the whole application process a lot easier. And that points us to DoNotPay.

So, this article covers how to get a Columbus building permit with less effort.

When Is the Columbus, Ohio Building Permit Necessary?

A building permit is a standard document that allows you to proceed with your project. It ensures that your proposed project passes safety and environmental standards.

Working without a permit can delay the completion of your building. Besides, you could pay fines or face other penalties. It's essential to know projects that require a .

So, you will need approval for home improvement projects like:

Plumbing
Adding or removal of walls
Re-roofing of your house
Replacement of water heater
Fencing
Replacing electrical wiring
Demolishing portions of your house

Are There Projects That Don't Need Columbus, Ohio, Building Permits?

A building permit is essential for your safety, but you don't need it for all projects. Projects that don't need the city of Columbus building permits to include:

Landscaping work
Painting
Wallpapering
Installing kitchen cabinet
Faucet installation or replacement
Minor electrical repairs

Is Columbus, Ohio, Building Permits the Same Thing as Zoning Permits?

In the city of Columbus, zoning and building permits are two distinct processes. You apply for zoning when you want to change your building's intended use. That also means your zoning approval precedes the building permit. So, to succeed in your building permit application process, file for a zoning permit first.

Things to Consider When Applying for a Building Permit in Columbus

You need a building permit whether you want to hire a contractor or handle the project yourself. That's because a project approval reduces risks like collapse, fire, or electrical shock. In other words, a building permit exists to protect your life, property, and investment.

As already said, applying for a Columbus, Ohio building permit is a tricky exercise. For that reason, you must know:

Who to Receive Your Application

You can send your application to the City's Building and Zoning Services office. Visit the office at 111 North Front Street Columbus, OH 43215. Otherwise, you can call them at 614-645-7433 or 614-645-7433. Available only on weekdays from 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM.

Documents Required

To apply for a Columbus building permit, you must attach the following documents:

The site plan - draw to scale, showing the north arrow, floor area, existing, and proposed project. It should also include the distance between structures and other properties.
Drawing of the intended project - It must state the height, width, and distance.
Elevations - Draw it to scale to show the exterior view of each side of the house.
List of materials for the project
Eleven copies of the completed application and list of materials
Payment of Columbus building permit fee

Building Permit Cost in Columbus, Ohio

Your project type and purpose determine the fee to pay for the building permit. Here's the city of Columbus building permit fees for a family residential building:

Project Type	Fees
New Construction (5 Inspections)	$675
New Construction (6 Inspections)	$800
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing	$150
Minor Work Permit	$75
Roof	$75
Sliding	$75
Deck	$200
Fence	$150
Demolition	$150

How Can You Get a Building Permit in Columbus, Ohio?

Remodeling your home without the necessary approvals can put you in trouble. But getting a building permit is sometimes a huge hassle. If you want to get one yourself, here's the way to go:

Contact the Office via Call or Email

With your documents and fees in hand, you can contact the building department by phone or email. But there could be some delay because of the large volumes of application submittals. If there's no response after 48 hours, you may visit the office in person.

Visit in Person

Applying in person may seem like an inconvenience but reduces the review time. With your line key, you can submit more than one application at a time. That's because the ticket takes care of three applications, though the wait time varies.

Wait for Review

After submitting your request, the office takes at least 30 days to review your plans. If everything is perfect, you should get the building permit after the review. So, make sure you consider the review timeframe before stating the project start date.

How long it takes to process your application depends on the volumes of submittals. Another factor that influences your building permit processing time is the project size. For example, residential applications are faster than commercial or industrial projects.

Acquiring a Columbus building permit needs more than your time and money. You must understand the local building guidelines, fill forms, and have blueprints. It involves a lot of bureaucracy, even with a smaller project. So, the whole process is quite long and tiring.

But you still have a reason to smile because DoNotPay can help you solve the problem. We will assess your project to know if it needs a building permit. Then contact the Columbus building permit office on your behalf. The whole application process is a lot smoother and convenient with DoNotPay.

How DoNotPay Can Help You Get Your Columbus Ohio, Building Permits

If you need us to help you with processing a Columbus building permit, use these six steps.

Go to the Planning Permissions product on DoNotPay.
Choose one of the following options:
1. Check whether your project needs a building permit or if it's exempt
2. Generate a permission request letter to send to your HOA
3. Generate a guide on how to complete the building permit application
Choose the focus of your project (new ADU, pool, shed, fence, etc.) and answer a few questions about your plans, including the size of the structure and estimated cost.
Indicate whether you're hiring a contractor and include the estimated start date and the timeline for the project.
Indicate whether any public sidewalk/street space will be used during construction.
And that's it! DoNotPay will help guide you through the building permit process by checking if your project needs a building permit, contacting any HOAs you're a part of to request building permission, or generating detailed instructions on how to start and complete your building permit application process.