Clermont County, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Permit Central administers building permits in unincorporated Clermont County, subject to zoning approval from the applicable township and any outside-agency approvals.

Department

Clermont County Building Inspection Department / Permit Central

Address

2275 Bauer Road, Batavia, OH 45103

Phone

513-732-7213

Website

https://permit.clermontcountyohio.gov/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm local zoning approval with the applicable township or village zoning authority.
2. Contact any required outside agencies before applying, such as ODOT, Clermont County Public Health, Ohio EPA, or the Army Corps of Engineers if the project triggers their review.
3. Prepare the permit application and required plans.
4. Submit the application package and applicable initial fees to Permit Central.
5. Permit Central performs plan review and issues correction letters if revisions are needed.
6. After approval, pay any remaining fees, receive the permit, complete inspections, and obtain certificate of occupancy or completion as applicable.

Typical processing time: Residential review goal: 10 to 15 business days; Commercial review goal: 15 to 30 business days

Source: Clermont County Building Inspection Department / Permit Central

General Requirements

Additions, construction trailers, decks including those less than 2 feet above grade, demolitions, detached structures, electrical changes, fireplaces and wood stoves, garages, manufactured homes, new dwellings, pools, porches, retaining walls, right-of-way work, roofing, septic installation, sewer tap-ins, sheds, signs, siding, solar panels, temporary tents, and window replacements among permit-triggering items

Required Documents

• 2 sets of drawings (residential)
• 4 sealed sets of drawings (commercial) including cross-section, ADA, floor plan, elevations, energy calculations, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and fire suppression or alarm where applicable
• Local zoning approval filed with Permit Central

Building code

Ohio Building Code and Residential Code of Ohio, with related flood, airport zoning, and WMSC regulations as applicable

Contractor requirements

State-licensed trades apply under Ohio law; no countywide general contractor registration rule identified

Fees

Permit fee formula

Detailed in the Permit Central fee schedule PDF; initial applicable fees are due with permit submittal

Reinspection fee

$35.00 per failed, additional, re-inspection, or no-access trip

Payment note

Cash and checks are accepted; checks must be payable to Clermont County Treasurer; credit cards are accepted by phone or in person with additional fees

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences 6 feet or lower do not require a county building permit, although local zoning still applies
• Agricultural structures are exempt if they are not primarily retail or commercial and the department receives zoning approval confirming agricultural use

Important: No broader consolidated exempt-work list was published on the reviewed Permit Central FAQ page. Confirm edge cases before proceeding.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Call Permit Central by 4:00 p.m. the business day before the inspection date (phone)

Scheduling deadline

4:00 p.m. the business day before inspection

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Time windows

Morning: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.; Afternoon: 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: Depending on project, Permit Central lists footer, slab, crawl, rough building, insulation, electric or mechanical, trench, fireplace, temporary pole, electrical service release, sump pump electric, final building, final electric or mechanical, fire suppression testing, driveway, sidewalk, sewer lateral, and WMSC inspections

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ohio Building Code and Residential Code of Ohio, with related flood, airport zoning, and WMSC regulations as applicable
• Verify contractor license: Ohio eLicense Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Permit Central Forms and Handouts
• Building Codes
• Helpful Links
• License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Clermont County Building Permit FAQ

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

Additions, construction trailers, decks including those less than 2 feet above grade, demolitions, detached structures, electrical changes, fireplaces and wood stoves, garages, manufactured homes, new dwellings, pools, porches, retaining walls, right-of-way work, roofing, septic installation, sewer tap-ins, sheds, signs, siding, solar panels, temporary tents, and window replacements among permit-triggering items

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

Fees are calculated as: Detailed in the Permit Central fee schedule PDF; initial applicable fees are due with permit submittal.

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

1. Confirm local zoning approval with the applicable township or village zoning authority. 2. Contact any required outside agencies before applying, such as ODOT, Clermont County Public Health, Ohio EPA, or the Army Corps of Engineers if the project triggers their review. 3. Prepare the permit application and required plans. 4. Submit the application package and applicable initial fees to Permit Central. 5. Permit Central performs plan review and issues correction letters if revisions are needed. 6. After approval, pay any remaining fees, receive the permit, complete inspections, and obtain certificate of occupancy or completion as applicable.

How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Clermont County, OH?

Typical processing time is Residential review goal: 10 to 15 business days; Commercial review goal: 15 to 30 business days.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet or lower do not require a county building permit, although local zoning still applies; Agricultural structures are exempt if they are not primarily retail or commercial and the department receives zoning approval confirming agricultural use. Note: No broader consolidated exempt-work list was published on the reviewed Permit Central FAQ page. Confirm edge cases before proceeding.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clermont County, OH?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call Permit Central by 4:00 p.m. the business day before the inspection date. 4:00 p.m. the business day before inspection.