Franklin County, OH — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Franklin County Building Department (within Economic Development and Planning -- EDP)

Street address

142 S. Front Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Phone

(614) 525-3166

building@franklincountyohio.gov

Coverage

The Franklin County Building Department issues permits for unincorporated areas of Franklin County only -- meaning properties in the townships (outside any city or village limits). Incorporated cities and villages have their own certified building departments. The county building department handles 1-, 2-, and 3-family residential structures and associated development. Commercial permits in unincorporated Franklin County are issued by the State of Ohio (Ohio Board of Building Standards), not the county.

Online portal

Franklin County Online Permit Center

SmartGov Community

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Franklin County

Interior alteration (residential); replacement of doors, windows, roofing, and/or siding (residential); new construction (houses, garages, decks, pools, sunrooms); accessory structures greater than 200 sq ft; structure relocation; demolition. Separate permits required for electrical, heating, plumbing, well, and septic.

Scope of work

Permit?

Above-ground pools (exempt from building permit but may require zoning compliance)

Exempt

Accessory structures 200 sq ft or under (no permit required; zoning compliance may apply)

Exempt

Exempt Above-ground pools (exempt from building permit but may require zoning compliance)
Exempt Accessory structures 200 sq ft or under (no permit required; zoning compliance may apply)

Note: Standard state exemptions per 2019 RCO Section R105.2 apply. Heating and electrical work are never owner-exempt; licensed contractors required.

Required documents

1 electronic copy (flattened PDF) of drawings including index, foundation, elevation, section views, site plan, floor plans, exterior wall envelope, and MEP layout
Recorded deed for new construction
Zoning compliance letter (for applicable townships and villages)

Building code: 2019 Residential Code of Ohio (1-, 2-, 3-family dwellings). Commercial building permits issued by State of Ohio (not county).
Owner-builder: Homeowners, contractors, or individuals acting as the owner's agent may apply for a building permit. Heating and electrical work requires a licensed contractor.
Contractor requirements: General structural permits do not require a contractor license for unincorporated Franklin County. For electrical, heating, and plumbing work, a valid state OCILB license is required. Contractor registration available through SmartGov portal (electric, general, HVAC registration).

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Review: 10-30 days depending on project type and complexity. Permit issuance: 7-10 days after full plan approval (properties with public water and sewer); may be delayed for properties on private well/septic pending public health sign-off.

01

Determine whether the property is in unincorporated Franklin County (not within a city or village) by checking the county parcel map or calling (614) 525-3166
02

If the township requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, obtain that first from the EDP department
03

Access the SmartGov portal at co-franklin-oh.smartgovcommunity.com or submit electronically to building@franklincountyohio.gov
04

For residential building permits: submit 1 electronic copy (flattened PDF) including index, foundation plan, elevation, section views, site plan, floor plans, exterior wall envelope, and MEP layout
05

For new house construction also include recorded deed
06

County reviews plans for code compliance with 2019 Residential Code of Ohio
07

Building permits issued 7-10 days after full plan approval for properties with access to public water and sewer
08

Pay permit fees
09

Permit is issued
10

Schedule inspections as required at key construction stages
11

Complete all required inspections before covering work

Typical processing time: Review: 10-30 days depending on project type and complexity. Permit issuance: 7-10 days after full plan approval (properties with public water and sewer); may be delayed for properties on private well/septic pending public health sign-off.

Source: Franklin County Building Department (within Economic Development and Planning -- EDP) ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Franklin County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$25 (fence); $75 (deck under 1,000 sq ft); $50 (demolition); $60 (electrical); $75 (HVAC); $50 (roof/siding/window replacement)

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee; not charged separately

Permit fee formula

Square-footage-based for main building permits: $120 for first 1,000 sq ft; plus $10 per 100 sq ft for additional area. Commercial/non-residential occupancy without permit penalty: $500. Certificate of Zoning Compliance: $275.

Reinspection fee

$75 per reinspection

Penalty (no permit)

Working without a permit: $150 plus 3x the applicable permit fee

Online through SmartGov portal; in person at 142 S. Front Street; or by mail

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

SmartGov portal (online)
(614) 525-3166 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday business hours

Typical sequence: Foundation; structural; rough electrical, plumbing, HVAC; framing; insulation; final. Separate inspections required for electrical, heating, plumbing (separate permits, separate inspectors).

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Franklin County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, OH? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, OH? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Franklin County, OH are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $25 (fence); $75 (deck under 1,000 sq ft); $50 (demolition); $60 (electrical); $75 (HVAC); $50 (roof/siding/window replacement). Fees are calculated as: Square-footage-based for main building permits: $120 for first 1,000 sq ft; plus $10 per 100 sq ft for additional area. Commercial/non-residential occupancy without permit penalty: $500. Certificate of Zoning Compliance: $275.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee; not charged separately.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, OH? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, OH, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether the property is in unincorporated Franklin County (not within a city or village) by checking the county parcel map or calling (614) 525-3166 2. If the township requires a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, obtain that first from the EDP department 3. Access the SmartGov portal at co-franklin-oh.smartgovcommunity.com or submit electronically to building@franklincountyohio.gov 4. For residential building permits: submit 1 electronic copy (flattened PDF) including index, foundation plan, elevation, section views, site plan, floor plans, exterior wall envelope, and MEP layout 5. For new house construction also include recorded deed 6. County reviews plans for code compliance with 2019 Residential Code of Ohio 7. Building permits issued 7-10 days after full plan approval for properties with access to public water and sewer 8. Pay permit fees 9. Permit is issued 10. Schedule inspections as required at key construction stages 11. Complete all required inspections before covering work

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Franklin County, OH typically run Review: 10-30 days depending on project type and complexity. Permit issuance: 7-10 days after full plan approval (properties with public water and sewer); may be delayed for properties on private well/septic pending public health sign-off.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Franklin County, OH? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Franklin County, OH. The following work is generally exempt: Above-ground pools (exempt from building permit but may require zoning compliance); Accessory structures 200 sq ft or under (no permit required; zoning compliance may apply). Note: Standard state exemptions per 2019 RCO Section R105.2 apply. Heating and electrical work are never owner-exempt; licensed contractors required. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, OH? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Franklin County, OH via: SmartGov portal, (614) 525-3166.

last verified April 2026 source Franklin County Building Department (within Economic Development and Planning -- EDP) ↗ entry id permits/ohio/franklin/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Franklin County Building Department (within Economic Development and Planning -- EDP) before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Franklin County