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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Champaign County
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.
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
- Exempt Detached patios/decks under 200 sq. ft.
- Exempt terrace
- Exempt replacement decking on porch or deck
- Exempt replacement windows or doors with no header changes
- Exempt new siding
- Exempt minor chimney repair
- Exempt sidewalk
- Exempt painting
- Exempt spouting
Required documents
- Application
- zoning permit
- site evaluation approval
- 2 sets of detailed plans
- Building code
- Current 2019 Ohio Residential Code and MVBOC criteria; Ohio Building Code applies at state level.
- Permit validity
- Residential permits valid 18 months from issue.
- Contractor requirements
- County states all trades are to obtain their own permits.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Obtain zoning permit from city, township, or village.
- 02 Obtain site evaluation approval from the Health Department.
- 03 Obtain driveway permit and house number from County Engineering if on county or township roads; ODOT for state routes.
- 04 Obtain sewage disposal permit, plumbing permit, and well permit from Champaign Health District.
- 05 Apply for a building permit with Champaign County Building Regulations.
- 06 Submit completed application, zoning permit, site evaluation approval, and 2 sets of detailed plans.
- 07 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.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Champaign County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$65 residential; commercial minimum $100
02
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.
03
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.
04
Reinspection fee
Residential reinspection $35 per trade; commercial reinspection $45.
05
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
- Inspection hours
- Office hours 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Typical sequence: Permit issuance after review and fee payment, then inspections by trade; county lists basic and requested inspections separately.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Champaign County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Champaign County, OH? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Champaign County, OH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Champaign County, OH? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Champaign County, OH, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Champaign County, OH? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026
source Champaign County Building Regulations ↗
entry id permits/ohio/champaign/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Champaign County Building Regulations before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.