Summit County, OH - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated areas under Summit County jurisdiction and to municipalities that contract with the county for building permits. Applicants must coordinate with the appropriate township or county departments for zoning, septic, floodplain, driveway, or utility approvals as applicable.

Department

County of Summit Building Standards Division

Address

1030 East Tallmadge Ave., Akron, OH 44310

Phone

330-630-7280

Website

https://co.summitoh.net/departments/Building-Standards.html

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the parcel is within Summit County Building Standards jurisdiction.
2. Obtain any prerequisite local approvals such as township zoning, septic, floodplain, driveway, or addressing approvals.
3. Prepare permit application and complete construction document package.
4. Submit the application online through Cityworks Public Access or in person at the county office.
5. Pay fees in advance.
6. Respond to plan review comments if corrections are issued.
7. After permit issuance, schedule all required inspections before concealment and complete final approval or certificate of occupancy.

Source: County of Summit Building Standards Division

General Requirements

County application and forms cover residential and commercial new construction, additions, alterations, accessory buildings, reroofing, siding, demolition, foundations, decks, gazebos, handicap ramps, tents, and related work.

Required Documents

• Permit application
• Parcel and zoning information
• Site plan
• Foundation, floor, wall, and elevation plans
• Structural details
• Mechanical, plumbing, and electrical details
• Energy compliance documentation
• Owner and contractor information

Building code

Ohio statewide code framework administered through Board of Building Standards. County forms still display older 2019 RCO and 2018 IECC references on some documents; confirm current code edition in force when filing.

Owner-builder

County forms allow owner/applicant filing and place responsibility on the owner/applicant to schedule inspections and provide access during normal business hours.

Contractor requirements

County publishes contractor forms and a contractor license lookup. State OCILB licensing applies to electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and hydronics. Confirm trade registration requirements directly with the county.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$50 residential application; $25 minimum for residential alterations / accessory; $87 commercial application

Plan check fee

$60.60 for new house / addition / attached garage; $30.30 for accessory buildings / alterations / decks / detached garages

Permit fee formula

Application fee plus area-based charges. Examples: residential new construction / addition $145 + $6 per 100 sq. ft.; residential alteration / accessory building $60 + $6 per 100 sq. ft.; commercial new construction / addition $167 + $6 per 100 sq. ft.; accessory structure fees listed by item.

Reinspection fee

First and second reinspection $30 each; third $60; fourth $80

Payment note

Fees payable in advance and not refundable. Payment accepted: cash, check, MasterCard, Discover, Amex, and Visa.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2024).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the County of Summit Building Standards Division to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Cityworks Public Access portal (online)
• Public daily inspection lookup (online)

Inspection hours

Normal business hours

Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation, mechanical rough-in, building and HVAC rough-ins, insulation, mechanical finals, building and HVAC finals, certificate of occupancy.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Ohio statewide code framework administered through Board of Building Standards. County forms still display older 2019 RCO and 2018 IECC references on some documents; confirm current code edition in force when filing.
• Verify contractor license: Ohio eLicense Contractor Lookup
• Building Standards Main Page
• Residential Forms
• Commercial Forms
• Contractor License Lookup
• License lookup guide: Ohio Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Ohio Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Ohio hub: Ohio Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Summit County Building Permit FAQ

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

County application and forms cover residential and commercial new construction, additions, alterations, accessory buildings, reroofing, siding, demolition, foundations, decks, gazebos, handicap ramps, tents, and related work.

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

The minimum permit fee is $50 residential application; $25 minimum for residential alterations / accessory; $87 commercial application. Fees are calculated as: Application fee plus area-based charges. Examples: residential new construction / addition $145 + $6 per 100 sq. ft.; residential alteration / accessory building $60 + $6 per 100 sq. ft.; commercial new construction / addition $167 + $6 per 100 sq. ft.; accessory structure fees listed by item.. Plan check fee: $60.60 for new house / addition / attached garage; $30.30 for accessory buildings / alterations / decks / detached garages.

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

1. Confirm the parcel is within Summit County Building Standards jurisdiction. 2. Obtain any prerequisite local approvals such as township zoning, septic, floodplain, driveway, or addressing approvals. 3. Prepare permit application and complete construction document package. 4. Submit the application online through Cityworks Public Access or in person at the county office. 5. Pay fees in advance. 6. Respond to plan review comments if corrections are issued. 7. After permit issuance, schedule all required inspections before concealment and complete final approval or certificate of occupancy.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Cityworks Public Access portal, Public daily inspection lookup.