Stark County, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Stark County Building Inspection issues building permits in unincorporated areas of the county and in listed township and village jurisdictions. For unincorporated Stark County, zoning may also involve the Stark County Regional Planning Commission or local township zoning authority depending on location.

Department

Stark County Building Inspection Department

Address

7235 Whipple Ave NW Ste A, Canton, OH 44720

Phone

330-451-1770

Email

build@starkcountyohio.gov

Website

https://www.starkcountyohio.gov/government/offices/building_inspection/

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Determine whether the property is in unincorporated Stark County and whether zoning approval is required from township zoning or the Stark County Regional Planning Commission.
2. Follow the county's development review sequence for the project type; for single-family residential in unincorporated areas, the core sequence is: official house number, sanitary sewer permit or septic permit, zoning permit, and building permit.
3. Download the applicable forms from the county forms page, including residential or commercial permit forms and any supporting trade forms.
4. For residential work requiring plan review, submit two sets of plans. For commercial work, submit completed application forms with two sets of drawings and the applicable plan review fees.
5. Pay application and permit fees; commercial plan review fees are due at submission.
6. Permit is issued.
7. Post the permit-issued card in a conspicuous but protected location.
8. Request required inspections at the proper construction stages.
9. Receive certificate of use and occupancy only after all final inspections are approved.

Source: Stark County Building Inspection Department

General Requirements

Residential examples include new homes, decks, porches, ramps, steps, pergolas, carports, additions, fire repair, reroofing, solar panels, generators, industrialized units, detached sheds or accessory buildings over 200 square feet, attached or detached garages or pole buildings, many alterations, foundation repair, demolition, fences over 6 feet tall, electrical and HVAC repairs or upgrades, and pools and hot tubs. Commercial examples include new buildings, additions, alterations, change of occupancy, detached accessory buildings over 120 square feet, signs, fire suppression, alarms, refrigeration, hoods, demolition, site work, and solar.

Required Documents

• Applicable permit form
• Plans as required
• Trade forms
• Zoning approvals
• Official house number
• Sewer or septic approvals
• Subdivision or regional planning approvals where required
• Flood-plain permit application where applicable

Building code

2019 Residential Code of Ohio, 2019 Ohio Mechanical Code, 2023 National Electrical Code for residential work; 2024 Ohio Building Code, 2024 Ohio Mechanical Code, 2024 Ohio Plumbing Code, and 2023 National Electrical Code for commercial work

Owner-builder

Stark County publishes a Homeowner Exemption Form in its residential forms list, indicating there are owner-homeowner filing scenarios.

Contractor requirements

Stark County posts 2026 Specialty Contractor Registration and Low Voltage Contractor Registration forms. Local contractor registration is required for covered trades, alongside State of Ohio licensure for state-licensed trades.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

Residential special one-time inspection permit is $50.00; commercial minimum permit fee is $100.00

Plan check fee

Residential plan review is $75.00 for general building review and $50.00 for each individual trade submission. Commercial plan examination fees start with a $100.00 application fee plus $2.00 per 100 square feet for each discipline reviewed.

Permit fee formula

Square-footage based. Residential building, electrical, and HVAC permits are $2.00 per 100 square feet, rounded up, plus a 1% BBS surcharge. Commercial building, HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, hood, and fire suppression permits are $2.00 per 100 square feet, rounded up, plus a 3% BBS surcharge. Site work is $2.00 per 1,000 square feet in general.

Reinspection fee

Residential reinspection for code violation is $35.00 and no-show is $75.00. Commercial reinspection for code violation is $35.00 and no-show is $75.00. Work started without a permit triggers a 200% penalty on application and permit fees.

Penalty (no permit)

Work started without a permit triggers a 200% penalty on application and permit fees

Payment note

The payment portal currently accepts reinspection fees and invoiced fees online. Other fees must be paid by mail or in person at the Building Department.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached residential sheds or accessory buildings of 200 square feet or less are not listed in the county's residential permit-required list
• Residential fences 6 feet tall or less are not listed in the county's permit-required list
• One-for-one replacement work may be handled as a one-time special inspection permit if design parameters remain the same

Important: Always verify zoning-layer requirements separately because township or regional planning approvals may still apply even when a county building permit does not.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 330-451-1770 (phone)

Inspection hours

Walk-in and phone hours Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; inspectors available by phone 8:00 am to 8:30 am

Typical inspection sequence: Commercial inspections: underground electrical, footer, foundation, rough electric and plumbing, rough building and heating, insulation, final electric and plumbing, and final building and heating. Residential construction uses all of the above except footer inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2019 Residential Code of Ohio, 2019 Ohio Mechanical Code, 2023 National Electrical Code for residential work; 2024 Ohio Building Code, 2024 Ohio Mechanical Code, 2024 Ohio Plumbing Code, and 2023 National Electrical Code for commercial work
• Verify contractor license: Ohio eLicense Contractor Lookup
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Development Review & Permit Procedures
• Building Inspection Forms
• Fees
• Inspection Schedule
• Building Codes
• Payment Portal
• License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Stark County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, OH?

Residential examples include new homes, decks, porches, ramps, steps, pergolas, carports, additions, fire repair, reroofing, solar panels, generators, industrialized units, detached sheds or accessory buildings over 200 square feet, attached or detached garages or pole buildings, many alterations, foundation repair, demolition, fences over 6 feet tall, electrical and HVAC repairs or upgrades, and pools and hot tubs. Commercial examples include new buildings, additions, alterations, change of occupancy, detached accessory buildings over 120 square feet, signs, fire suppression, alarms, refrigeration, hoods, demolition, site work, and solar.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stark County, OH?

The minimum permit fee is Residential special one-time inspection permit is $50.00; commercial minimum permit fee is $100.00. Fees are calculated as: Square-footage based. Residential building, electrical, and HVAC permits are $2.00 per 100 square feet, rounded up, plus a 1% BBS surcharge. Commercial building, HVAC, electrical, refrigeration, hood, and fire suppression permits are $2.00 per 100 square feet, rounded up, plus a 3% BBS surcharge. Site work is $2.00 per 1,000 square feet in general.. Plan check fee: Residential plan review is $75.00 for general building review and $50.00 for each individual trade submission. Commercial plan examination fees start with a $100.00 application fee plus $2.00 per 100 square feet for each discipline reviewed..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, OH?

1. Determine whether the property is in unincorporated Stark County and whether zoning approval is required from township zoning or the Stark County Regional Planning Commission. 2. Follow the county's development review sequence for the project type; for single-family residential in unincorporated areas, the core sequence is: official house number, sanitary sewer permit or septic permit, zoning permit, and building permit. 3. Download the applicable forms from the county forms page, including residential or commercial permit forms and any supporting trade forms. 4. For residential work requiring plan review, submit two sets of plans. For commercial work, submit completed application forms with two sets of drawings and the applicable plan review fees. 5. Pay application and permit fees; commercial plan review fees are due at submission. 6. Permit is issued. 7. Post the permit-issued card in a conspicuous but protected location. 8. Request required inspections at the proper construction stages. 9. Receive certificate of use and occupancy only after all final inspections are approved.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stark County, OH?

The following work is generally exempt: Detached residential sheds or accessory buildings of 200 square feet or less are not listed in the county's residential permit-required list; Residential fences 6 feet tall or less are not listed in the county's permit-required list; One-for-one replacement work may be handled as a one-time special inspection permit if design parameters remain the same. Note: Always verify zoning-layer requirements separately because township or regional planning approvals may still apply even when a county building permit does not.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, OH?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 330-451-1770.