Champaign County, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

County building department serving Champaign County; unincorporated areas use township zoning, county engineering for county/township roads, and county building permits.

Department

Champaign County Building Regulations

Address

1512 S. U.S. Hwy. 68, Bay 13, Urbana, OH 43078

Phone

937-484-1602

Email

mhall@co.champaign.oh.us

Website

https://www.co.champaign.oh.us/Building-Regulations/index.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Obtain zoning permit from city, township, or village.
2. Obtain site evaluation approval from the Health Department.
3. Obtain driveway permit and house number from County Engineering if on county or township roads; ODOT for state routes.
4. Obtain sewage disposal permit, plumbing permit, and well permit from Champaign Health District.
5. Apply for a building permit with Champaign County Building Regulations.
6. Submit completed application, zoning permit, site evaluation approval, and 2 sets of detailed plans.
7. After approval, return to pay fees and receive approved plans and permit. Permits must be picked up and paid for before inspections can be scheduled.

Source: Champaign County Building Regulations

General Requirements

County residential list includes new houses, additions, garages, carports, porches with roof, foundation work, wall changes, joists/trusses/rafters, detached buildings over 200 sq. ft., chimney/fireplace work, HVAC replacement, rewiring, electrical service upgrades, pools, conversions to living space, and reroofing or shingles.

Required Documents

• Application
• zoning permit
• site evaluation approval
• 2 sets of detailed plans

Permit validity

Residential permits valid 18 months from issue.

Building code

Current 2019 Ohio Residential Code and MVBOC criteria; Ohio Building Code applies at state level.

Contractor requirements

County states all trades are to obtain their own permits.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$65 residential; commercial minimum $100

Plan check fee

Residential new residence $100, all other reviews $25, subsequent reviews $25. Commercial plan examination is 50 percent of inspection fee; re-submittal 25 percent; preliminary $150.

Permit fee formula

Residential inspection fee is .0045 of building valuation; valuation uses $45/sf habitable and $25/sf non-habitable. Commercial inspection fee is gross area x construction factor x 71 x .0045.

Reinspection fee

Residential reinspection $35 per trade; commercial reinspection $45.

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit is charged twice scheduled fees. Permit extension fee on residential is one half original cost; commercial extension fee is $50.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached patios/decks under 200 sq. ft.
• terrace
• replacement decking on porch or deck
• replacement windows or doors with no header changes
• new siding
• minor chimney repair
• sidewalk
• painting
• spouting

Inspections

How to Schedule

Inspection hours

Office hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance after review and fee payment, then inspections by trade; county lists basic and requested inspections separately.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Current 2019 Ohio Residential Code and MVBOC criteria; Ohio Building Code applies at state level.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Contractor List
• Building Information
• Engineer Permits
• License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Champaign County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Champaign County, OH?

County residential list includes new houses, additions, garages, carports, porches with roof, foundation work, wall changes, joists/trusses/rafters, detached buildings over 200 sq. ft., chimney/fireplace work, HVAC replacement, rewiring, electrical service upgrades, pools, conversions to living space, and reroofing or shingles.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Champaign County, OH?

The minimum permit fee is $65 residential; commercial minimum $100. Fees are calculated as: Residential inspection fee is .0045 of building valuation; valuation uses $45/sf habitable and $25/sf non-habitable. Commercial inspection fee is gross area x construction factor x 71 x .0045.. Plan check fee: Residential new residence $100, all other reviews $25, subsequent reviews $25. Commercial plan examination is 50 percent of inspection fee; re-submittal 25 percent; preliminary $150..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Champaign County, OH?

1. Obtain zoning permit from city, township, or village. 2. Obtain site evaluation approval from the Health Department. 3. Obtain driveway permit and house number from County Engineering if on county or township roads; ODOT for state routes. 4. Obtain sewage disposal permit, plumbing permit, and well permit from Champaign Health District. 5. Apply for a building permit with Champaign County Building Regulations. 6. Submit completed application, zoning permit, site evaluation approval, and 2 sets of detailed plans. 7. After approval, return to pay fees and receive approved plans and permit. Permits must be picked up and paid for before inspections can be scheduled.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Champaign County, OH?

The following work is generally exempt: Detached patios/decks under 200 sq. ft.; terrace; replacement decking on porch or deck; replacement windows or doors with no header changes; new siding; minor chimney repair; sidewalk; painting; spouting.