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Permitting
Notice to Permit Applicants: Beginning January 1, 2023, the Division of Building will strengthen our enforcement of existing plan submittal requirements. Any plans submitted with a permit application must be submitted as both a digital PDF copy and the required number of physical paper copies. This requirement applies to any permit applications which include plans for review and applies to both the initial submittal and any resubmittals required. A permit or occupancy will not be granted until all required digital and physical documents have been received. For questions, please call 614-342-4010.
Application Process for Building Permits
The Building Division issues permits, reviews plans, inspects construction and enforces building regulations. Plumbing plan review and inspections are performed by Franklin County Public Health and not by the City. However, plumbing permit applications are required to be submitted to the City for review. Building contractors and residents can apply, pay for and obtain their residential and commercial building permits online. If construction plans are required with the permit application, paper copies must be submitted after applying for the permit online. Please refer to the appropriate section of the City Code when completing an application. Contact us at 614-342-4010 or email the Building Division with any questions.
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Permitting Applications
Residential 1, 2 & 3 Family Dwelling Permits
(for Addition, Alteration, Basement Finish, New Dwelling or New Garage)
Two copies of a survey with the location of the proposed project shown along with two sets of drawings must be submitted with the residential building permit application.
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Fence Permits
No new fence shall be erected without an approved permit, which must clearly be displayed during construction. Upon installation of a fence, please contact the Zoning Division at 614-342-4025 for an inspection.
Shed Permits
A survey with the location of the shed shown along with a copy of the manufacturers brochure or drawing must be submitted with the residential building permit application.
Deck Permits
Two sets of drawings must be submitted with the residential building permit application.
Zoning Certificate
Zoning Certificates are used to permit structures that are not regulated by the Building Code such as pergolas and freestanding decks under 200 square feet. Requirements such as setbacks and location are reviewed to verify compliance with the Zoning Code Please contact the Zoning Division at 614-342-4025 with any questions.
Commercial, Industrial or Multi-Family of 4 Units or More Permits
Four sets of plans conforming to the Ohio seal law must be submitted with the commercial and industrial building permit application.
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A sign permit is required to install or erect a new sign or to enlarge or modify an existing sign. No sign may be installed, relocated, altered or modified prior to obtaining an approved permit. After the sign application has been approved, the City will contact the applicant and provide a copy of the approved sign permit. The applicant or property owner must retain the approved sign permit for the duration of the sign installation. In addition, all signage work must be performed by a contractor registered with the City.
Community Signs
Community signs are used to promote non-profit, non-commercial and non-political organizations along with locally sponsored events taking place in the city. There is no charge for the permit; however, it must be reviewed by the Parks and Facilities Superintendent for approval. These signs measure 47 5/8 inches by 47 5/8 inches (one half of the sign structure). There are ten community sign structures located at major intersections throughout the city.
Permanent Signs
The City has determined that the individual user's right to convey a message must be balanced with the public's right to be free of signs which unreasonably compete, distract drivers and pedestrians and produce confusion as determined by the Zoning Department. It is the City's intent to provide business and industry in the municipality with equitable sign standards in accordance with fair competition and aesthetic standards acceptable to the community; to provide the public with a safe and effective means of locating businesses, services and points of interest within the municipality; and to provide for a safe vehicular and pedestrian traffic environment.
Permanent signs include: ground signs, monument signs, freestanding signs, pole signs, wall signs, window signs, awning signs, projecting signs and illuminating signs. In addition to the permanent sign permit application, a commercial and industrial building permit application is required for all permanent signage with the exception of face replacements and signs under 6 feet tall.
Temporary Signs
Temporary signs include, but are not limited to, portable menu boards, banners, window signs, wall signs, freestanding signs and attention flags. There is no charge for the temporary sign permit; however, it must be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator for approval.
Right-of-Way permits are administered by the City Enginneer. For information on permits required within the right-of-way please contact 614-342-4050
Zoning Certificate
Zoning Certificates are used to permit structures that are not regulated by the Building Code such as pergolas and freestanding decks under 200 square feet. Requirements such as setbacks and location are reviewed to verify compliance with the Zoning Code Please contact the Zoning Division at 614-342-4025 with any questions.
Inspections
Call the Building Division at 614-342-4010 and press 1 to leave your inspection request on the voicemail. Please be sure to include the following information: permit number, project address, type of inspection being requested, date of requested inspection, contact name and contact phone number. Omission of any information may delay the scheduling of the inspection. It is the contractor's responsibility to provide an accurate permit number when requesting an inspection. Please note, electrical inspections are only performed on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Inspection requests must be received by 4 pm for the following day.
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Building Division
Physical Address
200 S Hamilton Road
Gahanna, OH 43230
Phone: 614-342-4010
- Does Gahanna have standard construction drawings?
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Gahanna uses the following construction drawings: Ten-State for sanitary and water standards, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) for stormwater standards, its own for street lighting standards and the City of Columbus for everything else.
- Does the City provide a list of concrete contractors?
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Concrete Contractors now register as General Contractors. For a list of currently registered General Contractors, please contact the Department of Planning, Building Division at 614-342-4010.
- Do I need a permit to replace my driveway, driveway approach, sidewalk, or curb?
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A permit is not required for the replacement of the driveway itself, however, two permits are required for the replacement of the driveway approach. The first is a driveway approach permit (fee charged). The second is a right-of-way permit (no cost). Only a right-of-way permit (no cost) is required for the replacement of the sidewalk or curb. These permits can be obtained from the Department of Engineering.