Unincorporated Clermont County

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

• Exempt Fences 6 feet or lower do not require a county building permit, although local zoning still applies
• Exempt 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.

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

Source: Clermont County Building Inspection Department / Permit Central ↗

1. 01
   Confirm local zoning approval with the applicable township or village zoning authority.
2. 02
   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. 03
   Prepare the permit application and required plans.
4. 04
   Submit the application package and applicable initial fees to Permit Central.
5. 05
   Permit Central performs plan review and issues correction letters if revisions are needed.
6. 06
   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 ↗

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

• 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 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

Source: Clermont County Building Inspection Department / Permit Central ↗