City Building Permits
Delaware, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Delaware, Ohio. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Applies inside Delaware city limits only. The City issues combined building and zoning permits for most in-city work.
- Department
- City of Delaware Building Division, Planning and Community Development Department
- Address
- City Hall Annex, 1 South Sandusky Street, Delaware, OH 43015
- Phone
- 740-203-1600 option 3
Online Permit Portal
Platform: City of Delaware Online Permitting Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine whether the permit is available in the public portal or requires a paper form.
- Create a portal account and start a new application if the permit type is available online.
- Upload required plans and documents, or submit the paper application for permit types not offered in the portal.
- Staff reviews the application and invoices fees after review.
- After approval, obtain the permit before starting work.
- Schedule inspections by emailing planning@delawareohio.net with permit number, address, inspection type, and requested date.
Source: City of Delaware Building Division, Planning and Community Development Department
General Requirements
The city states all new construction, alterations, improvements, and replacements require permit approval before work starts.
Required Documents
- Site plans plus project-specific drawings/specifications such as deck drawings, fence design/material description, pool drawings/specifications including electrical
- Building code
- State-certified building department administering the city building code; Ohio-based code administration is used.
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor registrations are no longer required starting in 2026. State-licensed trades still remain subject to Ohio trade licensing. Plumbing permits are filed with the Delaware County Health District, not the city.
Fees
- Payment note
- Fees are invoiced after review. Fence permit page states payment can be made in office by exact cash, card, or check payable to the City of Delaware.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the City of Delaware Building Division, Planning and Community Development Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- planning@delawareohio.net (email)
- 740-203-1600 option 0 (same-day cancellations) (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Requests due by 12:00 p.m. for next-day inspection
Additional Resources
- Building code: State-certified building department administering the city building code; Ohio-based code administration is used.
- Verify contractor license: Ohio eLicense Contractor Lookup
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Building Division
- Staff Directory
- Contractor Registration Change Notice
- License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the City of Delaware Building Division, Planning and Community Development Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Delaware Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Delaware, OH?
- The city states all new construction, alterations, improvements, and replacements require permit approval before work starts.
- How do I apply for a building permit in Delaware, OH?
- 1. Determine whether the permit is available in the public portal or requires a paper form. 2. Create a portal account and start a new application if the permit type is available online. 3. Upload required plans and documents, or submit the paper application for permit types not offered in the portal. 4. Staff reviews the application and invoices fees after review. 5. After approval, obtain the permit before starting work. 6. Schedule inspections by emailing planning@delawareohio.net with permit number, address, inspection type, and requested date.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Delaware, OH?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: planning@delawareohio.net, 740-203-1600 option 0 (same-day cancellations). Requests due by 12:00 p.m. for next-day inspection.
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