Permitting mistakes in Columbus, Ohio can lead to major delays — especially if you're not familiar with the city's process. For builders and contractors working in Columbus, navigating the permit process is a critical step in keeping projects on track.
This guide explains what you need to know about Columbus building permits: what requires a permit, how much you’ll pay, where to apply, and how to keep your project moving from start to final inspection.
Simplify permitting in Columbus with PermitFlow. Learn how.
New construction, additions, alterations, accessory structures (e.g., decks, patios)
Replacement/installation of roof, siding, doors, windows
Construction of fences over 6 ft or masonry walls (any height)
Decks, patios, and parking lots associated with inhabited structures or part of a site project
Tents larger than 400 sq ft
Demolition of buildings or accessory structures in commercial or mixed-use sites
Installation or alteration of HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, or fire suppression systems
Medical gas systems
Repair-and-replace permits for existing equipment modifications
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some minor updates may be exempt, such as:
Detached accessory sheds or playhouses under 120 sq ft
Fences up to 6 ft in height
Sidewalks or driveways less than 30 in above grade, not over basements
Minor electrical repairs, such as replacing lamps or connecting portable equipment to existing receptacles
Repairing leaks in water, waste, soil, or vent piping (but replacing concealed piping counts as new work and requires a permit)
Who issues building permits in Columbus?
The Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) oversees all Columbus permitting, including trade permits and inspections. For surrounding areas in Franklin County, permits may fall under the Franklin County Building Department.
Columbus building permit fees
Columbus building permit costs vary based on project scope, square footage, and estimated construction value. Typical fee breakdowns are as follows:
Residential fees
Type of Work
Fee
New Construction / Additions
$1,000
Alterations / Accessory Structures
$350
Foundation
$250
Above-Ground Pool
$100
In-Ground Pool
$300
Deck
$300
Fence
$300
Advanced Construction Start
$125
Demolition
$250
Commercial fees
Type of Work
Fee
New Construction / Additions
$650 + $6 per 10 sq. ft. over 1,000 sq. ft. (max $500,000)
Foundation
$650 + $6 per 10 sq. ft. over 1,000 sq. ft. (max $50,000)
Single Inspection Permit
$500
Racking System
$650
Siding
$400
Windows / Doors
$400
Deck
$600
Parking Lot
$400
Advanced Construction Start
$200
Demolition
$200 + $80 per 1,000 sq. ft. (max $3,000)
Columbus trade permits
If your work involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or other specialized systems, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate trade permit — each with its own application, fees, and inspection requirements. All trade work must be completed by a licensed contractor registered with the City of Columbus.
Plumbing permits
Columbus requires plumbing permits for all new installations, fixture replacements, water heater swaps, and drain/waste/vent modifications. A licensed plumber must pull the permit.
Columbus plumbing permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential
$250
Minor residential work
$125
Commercial (1 inspection)
$500
Commercial (2 inspections)
$650
Minor commercial work
$250
Electrical permits
Electrical permits are required for all work involving service panels, new wiring, lighting circuits, EV chargers, and more.
Columbus electrical permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential
$250
Minor residential work
$125
Commercial (1 inspection)
$500
Commercial (2 inspections)
$650
Minor commercial work
$250
Roofing permits
Permit requirements depend on whether you’re performing a full roof replacement or just shingle overlays. Structural work or decking replacement almost always requires a permit.
Columbus roofing permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential
$125
Commercial shingle roof
$400
Commercial non-shingle roof
$650
HVAC permits
Any HVAC system install or replacement (including furnaces, A/C units, ductwork, and ventilation fans) requires a mechanical permit.
Columbus HVAC permit costs
Fence permits
Permits are required for most fences over a certain height or located near property lines. Zoning review may be necessary depending on the location.
Columbus fence permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential Fence
$300
Commercial Fence (>6 ft)
$600
For more information about permit fees, refer to the 2025 fee schedule.
Avoid permitting challenges PermitFlow manages the entire process from start to finish, so you don’t have to hunt down permitting requirements or chase approvals.
Building code compliance (structure, fire safety, accessibility)
Zoning regulations
Historic district overlays
Trade-specific code for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC
Typical review time:
Residential: ~10 business days
Commercial: ~15-30 business days
You'll receive updates via email and/or the portal.
Step 5: Pay permit fees
Once approved, you’ll get a full fee invoice. You can pay online through the portal or in person (check, card, money order).
Step 6: Receive your permit and begin work
Once paid, your permit will be issued. Post it visibly at the job site before starting any work (work must start within 6 months of issuance). You must also schedule the inspections throughout the process. Call BZS or use the online inspection scheduler via the Citizen Access Portal.
Note: Missed or failed inspections may trigger a $125 reinspection fee.
Columbus permitting resources
Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS)
Columbus permitting can be time-consuming and confusing, especially if you’re managing multiple projects or navigating the city’s process for the first time. Instead of chasing forms, approvals, and inspections, let PermitFlow handle it for you.
PermitFlow is permit management software that streamlines every step, from application prep to final approval, across Columbus and beyond.
Builders and contractors choose PermitFlow because we provide:
Columbus expertise: Our team knows the city’s permitting process inside and out, helping you avoid delays and rework.
Centralized control: Manage all your permits from a single, intuitive dashboard
Faster approvals: We prepare accurate, complete applications so your projects stay on track
Permitting mistakes in Columbus, Ohio can lead to major delays — especially if you're not familiar with the city's process. For builders and contractors working in Columbus, navigating the permit process is a critical step in keeping projects on track.
This guide explains what you need to know about Columbus building permits: what requires a permit, how much you’ll pay, where to apply, and how to keep your project moving from start to final inspection.
Simplify permitting in Columbus with PermitFlow. Learn how.
New construction, additions, alterations, accessory structures (e.g., decks, patios)
Replacement/installation of roof, siding, doors, windows
Construction of fences over 6 ft or masonry walls (any height)
Decks, patios, and parking lots associated with inhabited structures or part of a site project
Tents larger than 400 sq ft
Demolition of buildings or accessory structures in commercial or mixed-use sites
Installation or alteration of HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, or fire suppression systems
Medical gas systems
Repair-and-replace permits for existing equipment modifications
What doesn’t require a building permit?
Some minor updates may be exempt, such as:
Detached accessory sheds or playhouses under 120 sq ft
Fences up to 6 ft in height
Sidewalks or driveways less than 30 in above grade, not over basements
Minor electrical repairs, such as replacing lamps or connecting portable equipment to existing receptacles
Repairing leaks in water, waste, soil, or vent piping (but replacing concealed piping counts as new work and requires a permit)
Who issues building permits in Columbus?
The Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS) oversees all Columbus permitting, including trade permits and inspections. For surrounding areas in Franklin County, permits may fall under the Franklin County Building Department.
Columbus building permit fees
Columbus building permit costs vary based on project scope, square footage, and estimated construction value. Typical fee breakdowns are as follows:
Residential fees
Type of Work
Fee
New Construction / Additions
$1,000
Alterations / Accessory Structures
$350
Foundation
$250
Above-Ground Pool
$100
In-Ground Pool
$300
Deck
$300
Fence
$300
Advanced Construction Start
$125
Demolition
$250
Commercial fees
Type of Work
Fee
New Construction / Additions
$650 + $6 per 10 sq. ft. over 1,000 sq. ft. (max $500,000)
Foundation
$650 + $6 per 10 sq. ft. over 1,000 sq. ft. (max $50,000)
Single Inspection Permit
$500
Racking System
$650
Siding
$400
Windows / Doors
$400
Deck
$600
Parking Lot
$400
Advanced Construction Start
$200
Demolition
$200 + $80 per 1,000 sq. ft. (max $3,000)
Columbus trade permits
If your work involves plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or other specialized systems, you’ll need to apply for the appropriate trade permit — each with its own application, fees, and inspection requirements. All trade work must be completed by a licensed contractor registered with the City of Columbus.
Plumbing permits
Columbus requires plumbing permits for all new installations, fixture replacements, water heater swaps, and drain/waste/vent modifications. A licensed plumber must pull the permit.
Columbus plumbing permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential
$250
Minor residential work
$125
Commercial (1 inspection)
$500
Commercial (2 inspections)
$650
Minor commercial work
$250
Electrical permits
Electrical permits are required for all work involving service panels, new wiring, lighting circuits, EV chargers, and more.
Columbus electrical permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential
$250
Minor residential work
$125
Commercial (1 inspection)
$500
Commercial (2 inspections)
$650
Minor commercial work
$250
Roofing permits
Permit requirements depend on whether you’re performing a full roof replacement or just shingle overlays. Structural work or decking replacement almost always requires a permit.
Columbus roofing permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential
$125
Commercial shingle roof
$400
Commercial non-shingle roof
$650
HVAC permits
Any HVAC system install or replacement (including furnaces, A/C units, ductwork, and ventilation fans) requires a mechanical permit.
Columbus HVAC permit costs
Fence permits
Permits are required for most fences over a certain height or located near property lines. Zoning review may be necessary depending on the location.
Columbus fence permit costs
Permit Type
Fee
Residential Fence
$300
Commercial Fence (>6 ft)
$600
For more information about permit fees, refer to the 2025 fee schedule.
Avoid permitting challenges PermitFlow manages the entire process from start to finish, so you don’t have to hunt down permitting requirements or chase approvals.
Building code compliance (structure, fire safety, accessibility)
Zoning regulations
Historic district overlays
Trade-specific code for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC
Typical review time:
Residential: ~10 business days
Commercial: ~15-30 business days
You'll receive updates via email and/or the portal.
Step 5: Pay permit fees
Once approved, you’ll get a full fee invoice. You can pay online through the portal or in person (check, card, money order).
Step 6: Receive your permit and begin work
Once paid, your permit will be issued. Post it visibly at the job site before starting any work (work must start within 6 months of issuance). You must also schedule the inspections throughout the process. Call BZS or use the online inspection scheduler via the Citizen Access Portal.
Note: Missed or failed inspections may trigger a $125 reinspection fee.
Columbus permitting resources
Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services (BZS)
Columbus permitting can be time-consuming and confusing, especially if you’re managing multiple projects or navigating the city’s process for the first time. Instead of chasing forms, approvals, and inspections, let PermitFlow handle it for you.
PermitFlow is permit management software that streamlines every step, from application prep to final approval, across Columbus and beyond.
Builders and contractors choose PermitFlow because we provide:
Columbus expertise: Our team knows the city’s permitting process inside and out, helping you avoid delays and rework.
Centralized control: Manage all your permits from a single, intuitive dashboard
Faster approvals: We prepare accurate, complete applications so your projects stay on track
