jaspector
§ OH Franklin County
City building permits

City of Hilliard

How to apply for a building permit in City of Hilliard, Ohio. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 5
§ 01

Permit authority

Building Standards Division (within Community Development)

Street address
3800 Municipal Way, Hilliard, OH 43026
Phone
(614) 876-7361
Email
Building@hilliardohio.gov
Coverage
City of Hilliard, Franklin County. Hilliard is a self-certified municipal building department.
Online portal
OpenGov Permit Portal
OpenGov
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Hilliard

Basement finishes, garages, room additions, decks, gazebos, satellite dishes, driveways, hot tubs, screened porches, electrical work, new construction, sidewalk replacement, fences, patios, siding, and roofing. All trade work requires its own permit.

Minor interior demolition and discovery work is permitted prior to permit approval
  • Exempt Minor interior demolition and discovery work is permitted prior to permit approval

Note: Other exemptions follow 2024 OBC Section 105.2 and 2019 RCO Section R105.2; confirm local modifications with department

Required documents
  • Application through OpenGov portal
  • Construction drawings
  • Site plan for exterior work
  • Trade-specific applications for electrical, HVAC, plumbing
Building code
Ohio Building Code (2024 OBC, effective March 1, 2024); 2019 Residential Code of Ohio
Contractor requirements
Every contractor must be registered with the Building Department. State OCILB license required for applicable trades.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Approximately 2 weeks for plan and zoning reviews. Minor interior demolition and discovery work is permitted in advance of permit approval.

  1. 01
    Create or log in to account at hilliardoh.portal.opengov.com
  2. 02
    Select applicable permit type (residential building, commercial building, trade permit, etc.)
  3. 03
    Submit application and upload construction documents through portal
  4. 04
    Building Standards Division reviews plans and zoning for compliance (approximately 2 weeks for plan and zoning reviews)
  5. 05
    Respond to any correction requests
  6. 06
    Pay permit fees through portal
  7. 07
    Permit is issued; no construction or alteration may begin until permit is issued
  8. 08
    Schedule required inspections through portal (permits include a list of required inspections)
  9. 09
    Complete all required inspections before covering work
  10. 10
    Obtain occupancy approval where applicable

Typical processing time: Approximately 2 weeks for plan and zoning reviews. Minor interior demolition and discovery work is permitted in advance of permit approval.

Source: Building Standards Division (within Community Development) ↗

§ 04

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM

Typical sequence: Follows OBC/RCO standards for each project type (footings, foundation, rough trades, framing, insulation, finals)

§ 05

Frequently asked

Common questions about Hilliard permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Hilliard, OH? ▸
Basement finishes, garages, room additions, decks, gazebos, satellite dishes, driveways, hot tubs, screened porches, electrical work, new construction, sidewalk replacement, fences, patios, siding, and roofing. All trade work requires its own permit.
02 How do I apply for a building permit in Hilliard, OH? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Hilliard, OH, follow these steps: 1. Create or log in to account at hilliardoh.portal.opengov.com 2. Select applicable permit type (residential building, commercial building, trade permit, etc.) 3. Submit application and upload construction documents through portal 4. Building Standards Division reviews plans and zoning for compliance (approximately 2 weeks for plan and zoning reviews) 5. Respond to any correction requests 6. Pay permit fees through portal 7. Permit is issued; no construction or alteration may begin until permit is issued 8. Schedule required inspections through portal (permits include a list of required inspections) 9. Complete all required inspections before covering work 10. Obtain occupancy approval where applicable
03 How long does it take to get a building permit in Hilliard, OH? ▸
Building permit processing times in Hilliard, OH typically run Approximately 2 weeks for plan and zoning reviews. Minor interior demolition and discovery work is permitted in advance of permit approval.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in Hilliard, OH? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in Hilliard, OH. The following work is generally exempt: Minor interior demolition and discovery work is permitted prior to permit approval. Note: Other exemptions follow 2024 OBC Section 105.2 and 2019 RCO Section R105.2; confirm local modifications with department When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Hilliard, OH? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Hilliard, OH via: OpenGov portal.
last verified April 2026 source Building Standards Division (within Community Development) ↗ entry id permits/ohio/franklin/hilliard
Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Standards Division (within Community Development) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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