Village of Lithopolis, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Lithopolis handles zoning locally and uses a contracted building inspector and SAFEbuilt / CommunityCore workflow for building-code permitting and inspections.

Department

Village of Lithopolis Zoning & Building Department

Address

11820 Lithopolis Road, Lithopolis, OH 43136

Phone

614-837-2031

Email

amanda.wolin@lithopolis.org

Website

https://www.lithopolis.org/departments/building-zoning-department/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. For zoning approvals, complete the zoning permit application and email it to the Zoning Inspector; include a plot plan and HOA approval if applicable.
2. Pay the zoning fee by check or money order payable to the Village of Lithopolis and deliver payment in person or by mail.
3. For building permits, self-register in CommunityCore and submit the building application and plans through that platform.
4. Older published procedures also require two complete sets of plans, three site plans, and a non-refundable plan review deposit for projects inspected by the Lithopolis Building Department.
5. After plan review and fee payment, permit approval is issued.

Source: Village of Lithopolis Zoning & Building Department

General Requirements

You must have a zoning permit before work begins. Building permits are required for new one-, two-, and three-family structures, residential additions, major structural alterations, and other listed work routed through the building department.

Required Documents

• Zoning application
• Plot plan
• HOA letter if applicable
• Plans, specifications, and site plans for building work

Permit validity

Permit renewal fee is $65 after six months.

Building code

Ohio Building Code and International Residential Code

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Zoning-only accessory permits start at $25. Building miscellaneous fees include residential occupancy at $65 and permit renewal at $65.

Plan check fee

Residential one-, two-, and three-family plan review up to two hours is $180 per unit; commercial plan review is $320 per 10,000 sq ft; additional hours are $80 per hour; resubmittal is $160 per unit

Permit fee formula

Mixed. Residential one-, two-, and three-family blanket permits at $1,260 below 5,000 sq ft and $1,750 above 5,000 sq ft; commercial minimum permit fee $630; residential additions and alterations at $70 per hour with a one-hour minimum; pools and hot tubs $280; accessory structures over 150 sq ft $150; village administrative fee 25%; Ohio Board of Building Standards fee 1%.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection $70 per occurrence; after-hours inspections $70 per hour per inspector with a $140 minimum; additional inspections are sold in groups of five for $350; work started before approval may result in doubled fees

Penalty (no permit)

Doubled fees for work started before approval

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2020).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if floor area does not exceed 200 square feet
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and height-to-width ratio does not exceed 2:1
• Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
• Like-for-like interior remodeling without structural changes, including kitchen and bath fixture replacement, interior refinishing, door and window replacement, roof, gutter, and downspout repairs, driveway and sidewalk repair, tuck-pointing, basement waterproofing, uncovered patios under 150 square feet, and decks less than 30 inches from grade

Important: Confirm edge cases with the Village directly before proceeding with work claiming exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Current: SAFEbuilt handles building inspection through CommunityCore. Older procedures: Toole and Associates 614-224-2300 by 3:00 p.m. business day prior; water/sewer/sidewalk/driveway to Village Office 614-837-2031 at least 24 hours prior. (other)

Scheduling deadline

Older procedures require next-business-day advance notice; less than 24 hours notice may incur a penalty.

Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, required staged inspections, and final occupancy approval. Blanket permits include a final certificate of occupancy for qualifying new residential work.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ohio Building Code and International Residential Code
• Verify contractor license: Ohio eLicense Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Village of Lithopolis Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Village of Lithopolis, OH?

You must have a zoning permit before work begins. Building permits are required for new one-, two-, and three-family structures, residential additions, major structural alterations, and other listed work routed through the building department.

How much does a building permit cost in Village of Lithopolis, OH?

The minimum permit fee is Zoning-only accessory permits start at $25. Building miscellaneous fees include residential occupancy at $65 and permit renewal at $65.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential one-, two-, and three-family blanket permits at $1,260 below 5,000 sq ft and $1,750 above 5,000 sq ft; commercial minimum permit fee $630; residential additions and alterations at $70 per hour with a one-hour minimum; pools and hot tubs $280; accessory structures over 150 sq ft $150; village administrative fee 25%; Ohio Board of Building Standards fee 1%.. Plan check fee: Residential one-, two-, and three-family plan review up to two hours is $180 per unit; commercial plan review is $320 per 10,000 sq ft; additional hours are $80 per hour; resubmittal is $160 per unit.

How do I apply for a building permit in Village of Lithopolis, OH?

1. For zoning approvals, complete the zoning permit application and email it to the Zoning Inspector; include a plot plan and HOA approval if applicable. 2. Pay the zoning fee by check or money order payable to the Village of Lithopolis and deliver payment in person or by mail. 3. For building permits, self-register in CommunityCore and submit the building application and plans through that platform. 4. Older published procedures also require two complete sets of plans, three site plans, and a non-refundable plan review deposit for projects inspected by the Lithopolis Building Department. 5. After plan review and fee payment, permit approval is issued.

What work is exempt from building permits in Village of Lithopolis, OH?

The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses, and similar uses if floor area does not exceed 200 square feet; Fences not over 6 feet high; Retaining walls not over 4 feet high unless supporting a surcharge; Water tanks supported directly on grade if capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and height-to-width ratio does not exceed 2:1; Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement or story below and not part of an accessible route; Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work; Like-for-like interior remodeling without structural changes, including kitchen and bath fixture replacement, interior refinishing, door and window replacement, roof, gutter, and downspout repairs, driveway and sidewalk repair, tuck-pointing, basement waterproofing, uncovered patios under 150 square feet, and decks less than 30 inches from grade. Note: Confirm edge cases with the Village directly before proceeding with work claiming exemption.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Village of Lithopolis, OH?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Current: SAFEbuilt handles building inspection through CommunityCore. Older procedures: Toole and Associates 614-224-2300 by 3:00 p.m. business day prior; water/sewer/sidewalk/driveway to Village Office 614-837-2031 at least 24 hours prior.. Older procedures require next-business-day advance notice; less than 24 hours notice may incur a penalty..

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