The City of Dayton offers a tornado relief program to facilitate recovery of neighborhoods impacted by the May 27, 2019, tornadoes. This program provides cost savings for any residential and commercial construction project that may be necessary because of unexpected storm damage. For additional information or to apply for the benefits outlined, please visit the Division of Building Inspection, 371 W. Second St., Dayton, or call 937-333-3883.

UPDATED April 28, 2021 

DEADLINE EXTENSION: The application deadline for program benefits is extended to Dec. 31, 2022.  Applications may be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2021. 

Permitting and Inspection Fee Waivers

Eligibility

In order to receive a permitting or inspection fee waiver or a reimbursement, an existing property must have been impacted by the May 27, 2019, tornadoes, and be:

1. Located in a neighborhood identified as being impacted by the severe weather, and
2. Constitute an existing structure listed on the City’s tornado damaged property inventory list.

Any such property would be ineligible if any of the following were true as of May 27, 2019:

1. Property has delinquent property taxes and/or other fees due (including, but not limited to street light assessments, etc.).
2. Property has outstanding zoning or housing citations.

Guidelines and Applications

• Tornado Relief Program Guidelines
• Fee Waiver Application
• Refund Application (for fees already paid)

Benefits

For all types of existing structures (residential or commercial), all fees charged by Zoning Administration and Building Inspection may be waived for each eligible property, or if already paid, reimbursed. These fees include, without limitation:

• Zoning Certificates
• Applications for zoning variances and/or conditional uses
• Plan Review (provided there are no more than two re-submittals)
• Building Permits
• State of Ohio Building Fee Surcharges
• Zoning Certificate of Use and Occupancy (CUO)
• Building CUO
• Building Inspections (Structural, Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC, etc.)
• Wrecking Permits

Process

Each project is subject to complete all of the customary planning and permitting regulatory steps. The property owner may submit a written application for the permitting and inspection fee waiver upon applying for a permit. In the event fees have already been paid, an application for a permitting and inspection refund may be submitted. These applications require the property owner to certify that the proposed repairs are directly related to May 27, 2019 tornado damage.

Each application for waiver or reimbursement will be reviewed by the appropriate City staff prior to approval. The charges that would normally be incurred or that would be refunded will be recorded in the City’s official records and inspections database.

Timeframe

Applications for a waivers or reimbursement must be filed with the Division of Business Services no later than December 31, 2022. 

Utility Accounts

The City of Dayton is also able to deactivate water/waste collection accounts for properties deemed destroyed or heavily damaged, to ensure that unnecessary charges are not are accumulated during vacancy periods.  Customers who want to deactivate accounts or have questions are asked to call 937-333-3550 or to visit the customer service center at 101 W. Third St., ground floor. More information here.