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1. What should I consider when hiring a general contractor to work on my house?

One of the best assurances that you are hiring a competent and trustworthy contractor is to contact people who have hired them in the past. A reputable contractor will be able to provide the names and contact information for several recent customers. Drive by those houses to see for yourself the contractor’s quality of the work. In addition to checking references, there are other issues to consider. Go online and do some research, maybe starting with the following:

Better Business Bureau: www.bbb.org/dayton/

Federal Trade Commission: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0242-hiring-contractor

U.S. News and World Report: http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/11/14/18-tips-for-finding-a-reliable-home-contractor

BuildingAdvisor.com: http://buildingadvisor.com/your-team/general-contractors/

Lifehacker.com: http://lifehacker.com/5578353/how-to-hire-a-contractor-without-getting-hosed#references

In addition to a Building Permit, permits will also be required for any Electrical, Plumbing, and Heating & Cooling work. The cost of a permit is generally small compared to the overall project costs. The inspections included in the permit fee provide the homeowner with the assurance the work is completed in compliance with the minimum requirements of the residential building code and the approved plans. A copy of the approved plans and all permits are required to be kept at the project location. If you have additional questions, please contact the Building Inspection Division at 937-333-3883.

2. Do I need a permit to install or re-roof my house?

It depends on what you are planning to do. If you are simply applying a new layer of shingles you do not need a building permit.  If you are replacing or repairing any portion of the wood sheathing supporting the shingles or structural members like rafters or trusses, a building permit is required.  You might need to obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) if your home is located in a historic district. When recovering an existing roof, the new roof covering cannot be installed without first removing all coverings when the existing roof has two or more layers of any type of roofing to keep from overloading the roof structure.

3. Do I need a permit to build a fence?

For a fence six (6) feet high or less, a Building Permit is not required. All fences of any height now require a Zoning Permit. For fences over six feet high, follow the directions given for applying for a Building Permit. You may call 937-333-3883 with any questions regarding building permits and fences. Contact the Zoning Administrator prior to constructing a fence to secure the Zoning Permit and to determine any special conditions that apply to your property. Call 937-333-3903 or visit the

Zoning Administration webpage.

4. Do I need a building permit to put a shed in my yard?

A detached, one-story building with a floor area of 200 square feet or less does not require a residential building permit. A Zoning Permit is required, however. This type of building includes storage sheds, playhouses, and garden sheds. The structure is still subject to zoning requirements and should be placed no closer than 5 feet from the rear or side property lines. In some locations, a detached accessory building may be within 3 feet of a side property line. Sheds are allowed only in the rear yard. For more information on Zoning Permits and where a shed can be place on your property, contact Zoning Administration

5. What residential building codes does the Division of Building Inspection enforce?

Residential plans are currently being reviewed under the 2013 Ohio Residential Code for One, Two, and Three Family Dwellings as amended. An updated and revised Ohio Residential Code will go into effect July 1, 2019.  The 2017 Ohio Plumbing Code, the 2017 Ohio Mechanical Code, and the 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) also apply to residential buildings. View the list of all building codes and follow the link to an online version of the 2013 Ohio Residential Code at

Building Codes page.

6. Do I need a permit to install a swimming pool or hot tub?

A building permit is not required; however, approval from the Zoning Administration is necessary and an electrical permit may also be required if an addition or extension to the electrical system will be necessary for operation of the pool or hot tub. An electrical permit is needed for all in-ground pools for the grounding system. Visit the

Zoning Administration webpage.

7. Can I put new shingles over the existing ones?

The structure of a roof is designed to support only a limited amount of weight. Consequently, when recovering an existing roof, the new roof covering shall not be installed without first removing all coverings when the existing roof has two or more layers of any type of roofing. A maximum of two layers allows the roof covering to support specific climatic and geographic design criteria. A Roof Live Load of 20 pounds per square foot and Roof Snow Load of 20 pounds per square foot have been established for this area.

8. What is the frost line depth; how deep should I dig my footing?

A minimum depth of 32 inches from finish grade to the bottom of the footing is required by the Residential Code of Ohio. Minimum size shall be determined by load bearing value of the soil conditions in pounds per square foot. Concrete in footings shall have a specified compressive strength of not less than 2,500 PSI at 28 days, air-entrained.

9. How long do I have to make repairs to a house that has been cited as a nuisance?

When a house has been cited as a nuisance and referred to the Building Inspection Division, a Special Inspection Permit must be obtained and the house must then be inspected to determine the extent of work needed to comply with the applicable sections of the current Residential Code of Ohio. The inspector will provide their findings to the Building Inspection Division. The property owner or repair contractor can then apply for a building permit to complete the repairs identified in the report. Nuisance repairs are to be completed within 90 calendar days of the issuance date of the permit.

10. After a permit is issued, can I do the work on my house or do I need to hire someone?

An owner who occupies or will occupy a single family residence may complete the work covered by a building permit for their house (Sec 153.07(A) of the Dayton Code of Ordinances). Plumbing, electrical and HVAC work can also be completed by the owner/occupant after obtaining the appropriate permits. A contractor, registered with the City of Dayton, must be hired to complete the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC work in all other cases, such as with rental property, unoccupied house that will be rented or leased, and duplexes and doubles, even if the owner occupies one of the units. When the owner is allowed to complete the work, they must call for and have inspections made at the appropriate stages of the work. Instructions for when and how to call for inspections are given at the time of the building permit issuance.

11. What do I need to obtain a permit to build a deck?

Three copies of a site plan and the drawings and a permit application must be submitted. You may also contact the Building Inspection Division at 937-333-3883. Detailed information and example drawings can be downloaded from Residential Wood Deck Example (PDF)

12. What do I need to obtain a permit to add a garage?

Three copies of a site plan for a detached garage, drawings and a permit application must be submitted. You may contact the Building Inspection Division at 937-333-3883. This information can also be used for an attached garage; however, additional requirements for fire separation and for connecting foundations and structural members may be required by the Residential Code of Ohio. Detailed information and example drawings for download can be found at

Residential Garage Example (PDF)

13. What do I need to obtain a permit to build an addition to my house?

Three copies of a site plan and the drawings and a permit application must be submitted. Detailed information and example drawings for a residential addition can be found at Residential Addition Example

14. Do my plans need to be prepared by an Architect or an Engineer?

Plans subject to the Residential Code of Ohio are not required to be prepared by a licensed professional registered with the State of Ohio. Construction means, methods and materials not covered by the Residential Code of Ohio must be represented in drawings prepared by a design professional registered with the State of Ohio. Plan submission must meet the requirements for construction documents, as detailed in the Residential Code of Ohio, regardless of the plan preparer. Additionally, the construction documents must bear the identification of the person primarily responsible for their preparation.

15. How long does it take to get a permit?

All plans are reviewed in a timely manner and in the order in which they are submitted. The review time is impacted by the workload of the Division and by the completeness, complexity, and technical nature of the project. The Building Inspection Division strives to review and provide comments, as appropriate, no later than 30 calendar days following the date of application.

16. How many copies of plans are required for permit review?

Three copies of the site plan, construction documents, and supporting information are to be submitted with the application. Revisions to construction documents require two complete copies of only the drawings with changes. The changes and revisions must be clearly indicated.