Regulations Columbus Home Owners Need to Know Before Remodeling

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Since the economy has started improving, a growing number of Columbus citizens are remodeling their homes. According to research from Nielsen, 55% of Ohio residents worked on a home improvement project in 2013. Many homeowners don’t understand or follow building ordinances, which can lead to fines or other serious consequences.

Almost every Columbus homeowner needs to have theirbuilding-permit-424 building plans reviewed and receive a permit before they can begin construction. You should thoroughly review the building code on the Columbus Department of Development website before beginning any remodeling project. Here are some of the key takeaways from their guide on building permits for small projects.

Always make sure that your contractor is licensed and bonded, because unregulated contractors may notbe familiar with the application process. You could be fined if you are caught doing any work without receiving the proper permits. There are some exceptions in Columbus, such as if you are erecting a shed less than 200 square feet or replacing an interior door with one of a similar size.

Who Needs to Review My Building Plans?

The entity that they must report to depends on the neighborhood they are located in.  The Department of Development states that there are five different commissions responsible for reviewing building plans:

  • German Village Commission
  • Italian Village Commission
  • Victorian Village Commission
  • Brewery District Commission
  • Historic Resources Commission

header-photo-08The commission must sign a certificate of appropriateness before you can apply for a permit. If you aren’t sure which commission you need to speak with, then you should call 645-7433.

Your building plans will need to be as detailed as possible before you submit them to the respective commission. You must show floor plans, elevations, adjacent streets, garages and other relevant features. Make sure that all dimensions are properly included.

 

Filling Out a Building Permit Application

There are a number of steps that you need to take before filling out a building permit application. Here is some of the information needed to complete it:

  • The address where the remodeling will take place.
  • The owner of the property
  • The name of the contractor
  • The main purpose of the property
  • The goals of the improvements

You will need to make sure that you have all of this information on hand before filling out your application. The Department of Development will let you know if they need any other information as well.

You will receive a number after submitting your permit application. You can contact the Department of Development with this number to track progress on your application.