Forest Park, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

All properties within the City of Forest Park. Forest Park is an independent municipality with its own building department. Electrical permits and inspections are handled by Inspection Bureau, Inc. Plumbing permits and inspections are handled by Hamilton County Health Department.

Department

City of Forest Park Building Department

Address

1201 West Kemper Road, Forest Park, OH 45240

Phone

(513) 595-5264

Email

bldgdept@forestpark.org

Website

https://www.forestpark.org/government/building/index.php

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine permit type and access the appropriate application through the OpenGov portal or the Building Department website.
2. Prepare required documents: for residential construction, three complete sets of construction documents plus one PDF version are required, including site plans based on a surveyor boundary survey, floor plans, structural details, and system descriptions.
3. Single-family homes need letters of sanitary sewer and water availability from Cincinnati Water Works and Metropolitan Sewer District.
4. Submit application online through OpenGov or in person; attach digital drawings as a single PDF when submitting online; digital drawings must be submitted the same day as the application or the application will be voided.
5. Pay the minimum processing fee of $295 (non-refundable) at submission; online payment by eCheck or credit card (2.99% surcharge plus $0.99 transaction fee); in-person payment by cash, check, or credit card.
6. A confirmation email is sent when the online application is received.
7. Obtain separate electrical permit from Inspection Bureau, Inc. (513-381-6080) and plumbing permit from Hamilton County Health Department (513-946-7851) before starting those trades.
8. Receive building permit after review; permit is emailed to applicant when processed online.
9. Schedule and pass all required inspections; all exterior work must be completed within six months of permit issuance.
10. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of final inspections.

Source: City of Forest Park Building Department

General Requirements

Accessory structures/sheds; additions; all new construction; roofing; siding; decks; fences; garages; gas piping; solar panels; swimming pools; signs; electrical work (IBI permit); plumbing installations (HCHD permit); mechanical equipment.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Three sets of construction documents plus PDF for residential construction
• Site plan based on surveyor boundary survey
• Structural drawings
• Letters of availability from Cincinnati Water Works and Metropolitan Sewer District (single-family homes)

Permit validity

All exterior work must be completed within six months of permit issuance; permits may be revoked if work halts for six months without a called-for inspection unless an extension is requested in advance.

Building code

2019 Ohio Residential Code (residential); Forest Park ordinances FPCO 150, 152, and 154; applicable Ohio Building Code for commercial projects.

Owner-builder

Not explicitly published on public-facing pages; contact Building Department for guidance.

Contractor requirements

State OCILB licenses required for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC trades. Electrical work requires permit from Inspection Bureau, Inc. No Forest Park-specific general contractor registration requirement identified on public-facing pages reviewed; confirm with department.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$295

Plan check fee

Embedded in the permit fee structure; no separate plan check line explicitly identified on public-facing pages reviewed.

Permit fee formula

Minimum processing fee is flat $295; additional fees by permit type; confirm full schedule with department at 513-595-5264.

Reinspection fee

$85 missed inspection fee for failure to schedule a called-for inspection before covering work.

Payment note

Online payments by eCheck or credit card (2.99% surcharge plus $0.99 transaction fee for credit card); in-person cash, check, or credit card; minimum processing fee is non-refundable.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2025).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Sheds 100 square feet or less do not require a building permit; however, they must be placed in the required rear yard or buildable area conforming to front and side yard setbacks and the Forest Park Zoning Ordinance.

Important: No additional standalone exempt work list was published on public-facing pages reviewed; confirm specific projects with the Building Department at 513-595-5264.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Building Department (phone)
• bldgdept@forestpark.org (email)
• Electrical: Inspection Bureau, Inc. (phone)
• Plumbing: Hamilton County Health Department (phone)

Inspection hours

Building Department office hours Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Required inspections per permit type; all exterior work must be completed within six months; final inspection required before Certificate of Occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2019 Ohio Residential Code (residential); Forest Park ordinances FPCO 150, 152, and 154; applicable Ohio Building Code for commercial projects.
• Verify contractor license: Ohio eLicense Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• OpenGov Portal
• Additional Building Permits
• License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Forest Park Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in Forest Park, OH?

Accessory structures/sheds; additions; all new construction; roofing; siding; decks; fences; garages; gas piping; solar panels; swimming pools; signs; electrical work (IBI permit); plumbing installations (HCHD permit); mechanical equipment.

How much does a building permit cost in Forest Park, OH?

The minimum permit fee is $295. Fees are calculated as: Minimum processing fee is flat $295; additional fees by permit type; confirm full schedule with department at 513-595-5264.. Plan check fee: Embedded in the permit fee structure; no separate plan check line explicitly identified on public-facing pages reviewed..

How do I apply for a building permit in Forest Park, OH?

1. Determine permit type and access the appropriate application through the OpenGov portal or the Building Department website. 2. Prepare required documents: for residential construction, three complete sets of construction documents plus one PDF version are required, including site plans based on a surveyor boundary survey, floor plans, structural details, and system descriptions. 3. Single-family homes need letters of sanitary sewer and water availability from Cincinnati Water Works and Metropolitan Sewer District. 4. Submit application online through OpenGov or in person; attach digital drawings as a single PDF when submitting online; digital drawings must be submitted the same day as the application or the application will be voided. 5. Pay the minimum processing fee of $295 (non-refundable) at submission; online payment by eCheck or credit card (2.99% surcharge plus $0.99 transaction fee); in-person payment by cash, check, or credit card. 6. A confirmation email is sent when the online application is received. 7. Obtain separate electrical permit from Inspection Bureau, Inc. (513-381-6080) and plumbing permit from Hamilton County Health Department (513-946-7851) before starting those trades. 8. Receive building permit after review; permit is emailed to applicant when processed online. 9. Schedule and pass all required inspections; all exterior work must be completed within six months of permit issuance. 10. Obtain Certificate of Occupancy upon completion of final inspections.

What work is exempt from building permits in Forest Park, OH?

The following work is generally exempt: Sheds 100 square feet or less do not require a building permit; however, they must be placed in the required rear yard or buildable area conforming to front and side yard setbacks and the Forest Park Zoning Ordinance.. Note: No additional standalone exempt work list was published on public-facing pages reviewed; confirm specific projects with the Building Department at 513-595-5264.

How do I schedule a building inspection in Forest Park, OH?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Building Department, bldgdept@forestpark.org, Electrical: Inspection Bureau, Inc., Plumbing: Hamilton County Health Department.

Other cities in Hamilton County