Columbus, OH permit applications
Working in Columbus? Save your contractor license, insurance and bond details once, then produce a complete application for the next Columbus job — building, mechanical, re-roof or plumbing — in under a minute, plus the OSHA paperwork your crew needs on site.
Columbus permits by trade
Who pulls it, what the packet contains, and the inspection sequence — per trade.
What a Columbus permit costs
Estimate the fee by trade and job value before you sign the work, and see the lines crews forget to quote.
Columbus permit cost estimatorColumbus inspection sequence
The order of calls by trade, what each inspector checks, and the failure that sends crews back most often.
Columbus inspection guideDocuments Columbus contractors generate most
Where Franklin County permits are filed
Franklin County Economic Development and Planning, Building Regulation
Jurisdiction detail confirmed from the county's own website. Cities inside Franklin County may run their own building department.
Who reviews the permit in Columbus
This city runs its own building department — confirm the property sits inside city limits before filing with the county instead.
Files with
Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services
Online portal: Citizen Access Portal
Columbus is a state-certified municipal building department that permits its own residential work rather than deferring to Franklin County.
What a Franklin County packet actually contains
Built by the same engine the app uses — these are the forms and attachments the scope triggers in this jurisdiction, not a generic list.
Re-roof / roof replacement in Franklin County
4 documents on a $12,000 job.
- Re-Roof / Tear-Off Permit
Primary roofing permit application.
- OSHA Fall Protection Plan
Jobsite safety plan kept on site for inspection.
- Client Project Proposal
Signed scope and price for the homeowner file.
- EPA Lead-Safe RRP Record (Pre-1978 Homes)
EPA RRP rule (40 CFR 745) — pre-1978 homes are the norm in this market, so firm certification, Renovate Right delivery and containment must be documented.
- Ohio Residential Code (RCO) governs one-, two- and three-family dwellings, and permits are issued by the certified local building department — a few townships defer to the county.
- Ohio Home Solicitation Sales Act requires a three-day right-to-cancel notice on contracts signed at the home — included in the client proposal.
HVAC changeout in Franklin County
3 documents on a $12,000 job.
- Mechanical / HVAC Changeout Permit
Mechanical permit for equipment changeout.
- OSHA Lockout / Tagout Sheet
Jobsite safety plan kept on site for inspection.
- Client Project Proposal
Signed scope and price for the homeowner file.
- Ohio Residential Code (RCO) governs one-, two- and three-family dwellings, and permits are issued by the certified local building department — a few townships defer to the county.
Window / door replacement in Franklin County
4 documents on a $12,000 job.
- Window & Door Replacement Permit
Window / exterior door replacement permit application.
- OSHA Fall Protection Plan
Jobsite safety plan kept on site for inspection.
- Client Project Proposal
Signed scope and price for the homeowner file.
- EPA Lead-Safe RRP Record (Pre-1978 Homes)
EPA RRP rule (40 CFR 745) — pre-1978 homes are the norm in this market, so firm certification, Renovate Right delivery and containment must be documented.
- Replacement windows must meet the state energy code U-factor and SHGC for this climate zone, and any bedroom opening must still meet emergency egress clear-opening minimums.
- Ohio Residential Code (RCO) governs one-, two- and three-family dwellings, and permits are issued by the certified local building department — a few townships defer to the county.
- Ohio Home Solicitation Sales Act requires a three-day right-to-cancel notice on contracts signed at the home — included in the client proposal.
Get the 2026 Columbus permit checklist
One page covering the forms, attachments and inspection sequence Columbus contractors get held up on.
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Filing checklist for Columbus
- Verify whether the property sits inside Columbus city limits or in unincorporated Ohio — that determines which department accepts the application.
- Bring current general liability and workers' compensation certificates.
- Match declared valuation to the signed contract amount.
- Confirm whether the scope triggers a separate electrical, mechanical or plumbing permit pulled by a licensed sub.
- Schedule required inspections before covering any work.
Other Ohio metros
General guidance for Columbus contractors, not legal advice. Confirm requirements and fees with the authority having jurisdiction.
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Columbus by trade
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