View the criteria that must be met by both members of the domestic partnership on the Registry Qualifications page.

Applicants must apply in person by appointment. Appointments can be made online through the Schedule a Domestic Partnership Registration Appointment form.

Appointments are available on Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Appointments must be made at least seven (7) business days in advance. During your appointment, you will complete the application and have it notarized. The Commission Office provides notary services at the time of signing.

Accepted applications will receive a certificate, two business card size registrations that may be easily carried, and will be listed in the City’s domestic partner registry. This registry is a public record and may be requested by outside parties. If requested, all of the information, including names and address, is part of the public record. If you have additional questions please contact Jai'Shawn McClendon at 937-333-3636 or jai'shawn.mcclendon@daytonohio.gov.

Termination paperwork may be completed in person at City Hall.

Appointments are available on Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Appointments must be made at least seven (7) business days in advance. To schedule a termination appointment, please contact Jai’Shawn McClendon at 937-333-3636 or jai'shawn.mcclendon@daytonohio.gov.

Construction documents must bear the seal of a registered design professional except for residential construction, fire protection systems submitted under the signature of a certified individual, replacement-in-kind of equipment or systems, or where the Building Official determines that the work does not involve technical design analysis of work affecting public health or general safety in the following areas: means of egress, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing or fire protection.

A set of drawings prepared by a design professional (architect or engineer) is required to have the professional seal and date of expiration shown on the cover sheet with the professional’s signature (original and in ink) over the seal.  The seal can be embossed, stamped, or printed.  All sheets in a set of plans must also be sealed with an original signature, unless the cover sheet shows a list of drawings and contains the seal and original signature of the design professional in responsible charge.

The City of Dayton uses the codes adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards for commercial structures.

Building Codes page

A Certificate of Use and Occupancy is needed whenever a person establishes the legal use of a building or space; remodels a building or space and increases or decreases the square footage of the space; makes additions; or proposes new construction and/or a change of use of the building or space.

A Certificate of Use & Occupancy must be issued by the Building Inspection Division’s Building Official before a business can open legally. This is the last step in a process that will likely include: 1) application for a building permit, 2) approval of drawings that represent how the business space will be used and show how any construction is to take place, 3) issuance of a building permit which is a license to begin construction and/or building modifications, 4) inspections as the construction and/or modifications take place, 5) a final inspection and final approval of the project by the Building Inspection Division, Zoning Administration, and the Fire Department, and lastly, 6) issuance of the Certificate of Use & Occupancy. For assistance prior to taking step 1), above, contact the

A permit is not required for re-roofing projects on commercial buildings if the work does not require repair or replacement of the roof sheathing or deck structure. A permit is also not required if the project consists only of adding a roof covering over an existing single-layer roof covering.  A new roof covering must not be installed without removing the existing roof covering if the roof covering is water soaked or deteriorated, if it consists of wood shake or tile, or if it has two or more layers of any type of roof covering. 

Construction offices, trailers, and other temporary accessory structures that are to be used for a limited amount of time must be permitted. For more information, go to

Building permits are typically required for: 

• All new buildings 
• Any additions to or modifications to existing buildings 
• Any new or modifications to electrical, plumbing or HVAC 
• Any new or modifications to fire alarms and fire suppression systems 
• A new tenant to a commercial space to obtain an inspection to occupy (Contact the Small Business Advocate prior to signing a lease or purchase agreement for commercial property.) 
• Changing the use and/or occupancy of a building (Contact the Small Business Advocate prior to signing a lease or purchase agreement for commercial property.) 
• Nuisance structures designated by the Housing Inspection Division •Special inspection following a fire or other damage to a structure 
• Demolition of a structure 
• Accessory buildings, such as a garage or storage building. 
• Temporary structures such as construction trailers or tents 
• Construction or modifications to telecommunications structures, including cell towers and monopoles 

Call 937-333-3883 if you have specific questions.  Also see our Building Permit Forms page.

For us to calculate fees for all permits, be prepared to provided an estimate of the cost of your project or, for residential and commercial building permits, the area (square feet), construction type, use category and extent of the work to be completed can be provided as an alternative to the cost estimate. To get an estimate, call 937-333-6794. The method of fee calculations can be found on each application form.

The City of Dayton, through the actions of the City Commission to adopt a building code, believes a city must have minimum standards of construction to ensure the public health, safety and welfare. The minimum standards of construction reduce potential hazards and unsafe construction practices. They help provide sufficient access to buildings to all persons as well as the means to safely leave a building during an emergency situation such as a fire. The permitting process is the means to ensure the minimum standards can be met in the construction and reconstruction of buildings. Additionally, the State of Ohio requires compliance with the building codes through legislation.  Permit applications can be found online at

Besides contacting your insurance company and being in contact with the fire or police department, as appropriate, a residential property owner needs to apply for a permit to have an inspection made by a representative of the Building Inspection Division. The inspector will determine what needs to be done to comply with the Residential Code of Ohio for 1-, 2-, and 3-family houses. The permit application can be found at

Plumbing: A permit is not required when a plumber is called out for an emergency. This can include repairs and stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipes not concealed by walls or ceilings. Also, the clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and re-installation of water closets (toilets), provided the repair do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.  

Electrical: A permit is not required for minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. 

Gas: A permit is not required for gas-fueled portable heating, cooking or clothes-drying appliances. 

Heating and Cooling: A permit is not required for installation of portable heating, ventilation and cooling appliances that connect to permanently install electrical receptacles.  

A mechanical permit application can be found at 

The process begins by submitting a Permit Application to the Building Inspection Division along with supporting documents. Those documents often include drawings showing a site plan of the property, details of proposed demolition and construction, floor plans showing how a building space will be used , engineering design data, plan drawings and schematics of mechanical systems such as plumbing, electric, fire safety systems, and heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. Get started with one of our 

The Division of Building Inspection enforces a residential construction code for one, two and three family structures and commercial building code for all other structures. View the

The Building Inspection Division is located at the One Stop Center on the second floor at 371 West Second Street, Dayton, OH 45402. Parking for customers is located behind the building at locations marked “Visitor.” A limited number of metered parking spaces are located along West Second Street east of the building. Additionally, the Montgomery County parking garage is located across the street and west of the building. A map and directions can be found on the main webpage for

The building code requires that plans (construction documents) be submitted as part of a permit application in certain instances.

Presently, permits cannot be applied for online. However; the City of Dayton is in the process of upgrading the current software system for that purpose. 

Only the drawings with changes need to be submitted and only two copies of those drawings are needed. The changes and revisions must be clearly indicated. Also, please identify the permit number and/or address of the project on the revisions or transmittal.

Inspections are scheduled by calling our office at least 24 hours in advance. Depending on the workload at the time for the inspection staff, next workday inspections may not always be available, so call for an inspection as soon as you know when the work will be ready for inspection. Call us to schedule an inspection by going to the "To schedule an inspection" entries in the

First, the approved plans and building permit must be kept on the jobsite and be available to representatives of the Building Inspection Division at all times while the work is in progress and until final inspection. Inspections, as appropriate for the work being undertaken, will proceed in the following sequence: Footing – After the trench for the footing or for the basement has been excavated and forms are set, but before the footing is poured. Waterproofing – If waterproofing is required because the foundation will enclose habitable space, either now or in the future. Basement floor, slab-on-grade and crawlspace – Just prior to pouring concrete or setting floor joints. Under-slab inspections, as appropriate for foundation drains, plumbing, electrical and HVAC must be completed before the floor/slab/crawlspace inspection can be conducted. Framing – Prior to installation of insulation, and following rough-in plumbing, electrical and HVAC inspections. Energy Conservation – After insulation in walls, crawlspaces and roof/ceiling, but prior to any interior finish installation. Fire Resistance – If a fire resistance rating is required for all or part of a building, an inspection must be made prior to the spackling and taping of joints. Other inspections may be needed in regard to other life safety components of a building. Final – Before the issuance of a Certificate of Use and Occupancy, a final inspection must be successfully completed. Other inspections that will precede the final inspection may include plumbing, electrical, HVAC and fire prevention.

For additional information regarding the inspection process, see the handout Inspection Procedures Bulletin

Before Dayton Power & Light (DP&L) connects electricity to a building, the Building Inspection Division must issue a permit and conduct an inspection. A licensed electrician registered with the City of Dayton must apply for the permit. The homeowner can apply for the permit, but only if the owner lives in the house, the structure is a single-family residence, and the owner does the work and has the knowledge and ability to make repairs or replacement of electrical service. Permit applications are available online on the City's website or at the Building Inspection Division Office. To contact DP&L about connection service, call Construction Department Customer Service at (937) 331-4860. A listing of electricians registered with the City of Dayton is found at

Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Before Vectren connects natural gas to a building, the Building Inspection Division must issue a permit and conduct an inspection. A licensed plumber registered with the City of Dayton must apply for the permit. The homeowner can apply for the permit, but only if the owner lives in the house, the structure is a single-family residence, and the owner does the work and has the knowledge and ability to conduct a gas pressure test. Permit applications are available at the Building Inspection Division Office or online at Building Inspection Forms (see following link). To contact Vectren, call Customer Service at (800) 227-1376. A listing of plumbers registered with the City of Dayton is found at

Construction Permits and Certificates of Use and Occupancy 

Small Business Advocacy 

Permits for: 

Buildings, commercial and residential 

Tents

Fire Alarm and Fire Suppression Permits

Zoning Only Permits

Signs

Temporary Construction Offices

Sewer connections

Water connections

Gas connections 

Electrical 

Plumbing 

HVAC 

Demolition of structures

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.

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

The Division of Building Inspection enforces a residential construction code for one, two and three family structures.

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

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.

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

Obtain a City of Dayton CHDO Application, Checklist, and Certification by one of the following methods:

1. Contact the Community Development division by telephone at 937-333-3670
2. Email an application request to the Community Development division at commdev@daytonohio.gov
3. Mail a request to the Community Development division:
   
   Community Development Division
   101 W 3rd Street
   Dayton OH, 45402

Or, for State CHDO designation information, visit the Ohio Housing Finance Agency CHDO webpage.

Photo ID - All W-2 forms for wages earned. Social Security cards or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you and all persons in your family included on your tax return - Social Security Number or Employer ID Number (EIN) and address for any child care expenses.. Bring payment documentation for the total amount you paid the Provider and the amount paid for each child. - Any correspondence you received from the IRS and 1098 and 1099 forms (if any) - If you want your refund directly deposited into your savings or checking account(s), bring your account number(s) with you to the tax site. - If you are married filing jointly, both parties must be present in order to process the tax return.

The EITC does not count as income in determining eligibility for Food Stamps, SSI, Medicaid, cash assistance or public housing. The Child Tax Credit does not count as income for any federally-funded benefit program.

No. Residency is not required for employment with the City of Dayton or Dayton Public Schools.

Visit the Civil Service Board website at jobs.daytonohio.gov to view job announcements and apply for open positions. You must meet the minimum requirements (education, experience, license and/or certifications) as outlined in the job announcement. 

Applications are only accepted for positions posted on the Civil Service website, jobs.daytonohio.gov . Announcements are posted and applications are accepted online for positions until the Close Date for that Job Title.

Be sure to read the job announcement and make sure your application meets the minimum qualifications for the position.

Please remember that your application must include a specific statement or other proof of how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. List any and all relevant experience, skills, certifications and education as may be required for the position.

Civil Service staff reviews your application to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. This includes any required education, experience, license, and/or certification. It is very important that you complete the application thoroughly.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on the information you provide on the application and supplements (if applicable). Therefore, be sure to include paid and voluntary work experience. Also include other information that is relevant to the job, such as licenses, professional affiliations, classes you have taken, training you have received and all other special qualifications.

Large numbers of applications for posted positions are received. Consequently, the application review process can take several weeks. Please be patient. We want to give each application the consideration it deserves. You will be notified by email of your status for each position applied for.

After submitting an application for a tested position, you will receive notice by email that will give you the date, time, and location of the examination. Remember to always arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the examination time. A pictured I.D. is required for admittance into the examination. 

If you completed an application for a tested position and you have not received notification within 2 weeks after the application close date, please call the Civil Service office at 937-333-2300.

You will be notified by email approximately four to six weeks after you take the examination. This notification will give your score and standing on the eligible list. If you did not achieve a passing score (70% in most cases), you will not be placed on the eligible list.

Applicants should note the job type and the close date for each job title posted on the Civil Service website jobs.daytonohio.gov. Below is a brief description of job types available with the City of Dayton and Dayton Public Schools:

Open Competitive: Open to all interested applicants. This recruitment type is open to the public and all current employees. Only applicants whose applications have been certified as meeting the minimum requirements may take the Civil Service examination.

Promotional: This recruitment type is only available to current employees as outlined in the exam announcement. Only applicants whose applications have been certified as meeting the minimum requirements may take the Civil Service examination.

Noncompetitive: Classifications of this type include professional, technical and supervisory positions. This job type is non-tested. Applicants whose applications have been certified as meeting the minimum requirements will be selected for further interviewing under the discretion of the hiring department.

Part-Time Permanent: This recruitment type is open to the public. Positions in this class generally work a 35 hours per week and do not have the same benefits as those full-time permanent employees.

Examinations may be given "Promotional" and "Open Competitive." If you are not currently employed by the City of Dayton or Dayton Public Schools (or do not meet "Promotional" requirements), you would take an "Open Competitive" examination. Applicants appearing on a "Promotional" eligible list are considered for appointment prior to those on an "Open Competitive" eligible list, regardless of score.

In accordance with the Dayton City Charter and the Civil Service Rules and Regulations for the City of Dayton, the Rule of One applies for all City of Dayton competitive (tested) positions, meaning the top ranking person on the eligible list will be referred first as openings become available.

In accordance with Ohio Revised Code, Section 124.27, Dayton Public Schools shall appoint in the following manner: each time a selection is made, it shall be from one of the names that ranks in the top ten names on the eligible list or the top twenty-five percent of the eligible list, whichever is greater. In the event that ten or fewer names are on the eligible list, the appointing authority may select any of the listed candidates.

Most Civil Service examinations are taken on a computer. Additional components to an examination may include physical agility testing, practical assessments (typing, Microsoft Office skills, etc.) and/or structured interviews.

All Civil Service examinations are "job-related" and based on the job duties and experience qualifications of the job you have applied for. Although there are no specific study materials, you may obtain a detailed job description for the position you have applied for at the Civil Service Board office. In addition, depending on the examination, you should "brush up" on your basic skills - arithmetic, grammar and typing (if required). Hand-held calculators are provided by Civil Service for all examinations. If you are taking an examination which requires typing skills, you will be tested on a computer keyboard.

We are located at 371 West Second Street, Suite 231, in downtown Dayton at the corner of Second Street and Red Cross Lane. The telephone number is 937-333-2300.

Net losses cannot be off set against wage income. Loss from one business may be off set against profit from another business operated by the same individual.

For calendar year taxpayers, the filing deadline is April 15, extended as necessary for weekends and Emancipation Day.

Fiscal year taxpayers should file on or before the 15th of the fourth month following the close of the fiscal year. Total amount shown due on the return must be paid when return is filed.

Individual having income subject to the tax from which the full tax was not withheld (Form RI) and corporations, partnerships, trusts, estates, and other entities conducting business or performing services in the City of Dayton regardless of profit or loss (Form RB).

You may request Fire, EMS, Inspection, and all other reports by submitting a public records request.

You may also obtain a copy of a fire report by coming to Fire Headquarters at:

300 North Main Street
2nd Floor
Dayton, Ohio 45402

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 937-333-4500 for more information.

Medical Billing

THE DAYTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT CERTIFY RECORDS OR HANDLE EMS BILLING INQUIRIES. 

All questions pertaining to statements or medical bills should be directed as follows: 

• Date of Service Before 12/31/2018 - City of Dayton Finance at 937-333-3515. 
• Date of Service 1/1/2019 or after - Digitech EMS Billing Services

1-888-449-8112, or via email at daytonfire@payambulance.com.

Contact Auto Recovery by phone at 937-333-1058 and they will try to assist you.

Contact Auto Recovery at 333-1058, and they will try to assist you.

Call the court at 937-333-4312 to begin the process.

Call the court’s parking information office at 937-333-4303.

Back pressure-backflow is created whenever the downstream pressure exceeds the supply pressure, which is possible in installations such as heating systems, elevated tanks, and pressure-producing systems. An example would be a hot water space-heating boiler operating under 15-20 pounds of pressure coinciding with a reduction of the city water supply below this pressure (or higher in most commercial boilers). As water tends to flow in the direction of least resistance, a back pressure-backflow condition would be created and the contaminated boiler water would flow into the potable water supply.

A cross connection is a direct arrangement of a piping line allowing the potable water supply to be connected to a line that contains a contaminant. An example is the common garden hose attached to a sill cock and the end of the hose is lying in a cesspool. Other examples are a garden hose attached to a service sink with the end of the hose submerged in a tub full of detergent, supply lines connected to bottom-fed tanks, supply lines to boilers.

To view the ways to prevent backflow for residential and commercial and industrial properties, please view the

The first priorities are highways, thoroughfares, bridges and streets providing access to hospitals and public schools, and RTA routes.

The next priority consists of hills and collector streets, followed by downtown (Central Business District) streets.

After those priorities are met and when snowfall is four inches or more, residential streets are plowed and/or salted.

The process begins by submitting a Building/Zoning Permit Application to the Building Inspection Division along with supporting documents. Those documents often include drawings showing a layout of the project, details of proposed demolition and installation, engineering design data, plan drawings and schematics.

Drawings for fire alarm and fire suppression system need only be provided in duplicate (two copies).

The City of Dayton uses the codes adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards for fire alarm and sprinklers.

Please visit https://cityofdaytonoh.nextrequest.com/ to submit your record requests with ease.

Although no specific language is required to make a request for public records, the requester must at least identify the records requested with sufficient clarity to allow the City to identify, retrieve, and review the records. If it is not clear what records are being sought, the records custodian must contact the requester for clarification, and should assist the requester in revising the request by informing the requester of the manner in which the office keeps its public records.

The law does permit the records custodian to ask for the requester's identity, and/or the intended use of the information requested, but only (1) if a written request or disclosure of identity or intended use would benefit the requester by enhancing the ability to identify, locate, or deliver the public records that have been requested; and (2) after informing the requester that a written request is not required and that the requester may decline to reveal the requester’s identity or intended use.

In processing the request, the City does not have an obligation to create new records or perform new analysis of existing information. An electronic record is deemed to exist so long as a computer is already programmed to produce the record through simple sorting, filtering, or querying. Although not required by law, the City of Dayton may accommodate the requester by generating new records when it makes sense and is practical under the circumstances.

Those seeking public records will be charged for the costs of making copies, not labor. The requester may choose whether to have the record duplicated upon paper, upon the same medium in which the public record is kept, or upon any other medium on which the office determines that the record can reasonably be duplicated as an integral part of the office’s normal operations. The charge for paper copies is $0.10 per page. If the requester specifically request information on another medium, an additional $3 per CD/DVD or $5 per thumb drive, will be added to the cost. An invoice is available upon request. Note: Effective March 1, 2016, these charges will be applied to all public record requests. A requester may be required to pay in advance for costs involved in providing the copy. If a requester asks that documents be mailed, they may be charged the actual cost of the postage and mailing supplies. Other than the reproduction costs, there is no charge for documents emailed. The City of Dayton reserves the right to collect outstanding costs accumulated from previous request(s) before providing responses to new public record requests from the same requester.

Please note: For Police video requests, Under Ohio House Bill 315, Ohio law enforcement agencies may charge up to $75 per hour, with a maximum of $750, for the processing of public records requests that involve all police video footage, including but not limited to body-worn, cruiser camera, interrogation/interview, surveillance and traffic camera recordings.

Anyone receiving a notice of Use Nuisance can register an appeal. The Use Nuisance Appeals Board is comprised of five representatives; two Building Services representatives, one Fire Department representative, one Police Department representative and a Planning Department representative. An Assistant City of Dayton Attorney presides over the Board and its hearings. 

The Board makes the decision at the hearing as to what action should be taken. A Police detective presents the case to the Use Nuisance Appeals Board. The detective presents the case from file notes, arrest reports and information about the case received from the investigating officers. The Board must determine three things: First, is this a public nuisance? Second, did the appellant have the knowledge of the illegal activity? Third, what should be done about the nuisance? 

Possible decisions of the Board include: 

• Ordering only the guilty resident(s) off the premises immediately and allowing the other residents to remain in the property; 
• Ordering all the residents to leave the premises immediately; 
• Giving residents a specified number of days they can remain in the premises before being subject to arrest; 
• Giving a 365-day probationary vacate order, which means resident can remain in the premises but are subject to immediate removal if there is another occurrence within the 365 days; 
• Ordering the property completely vacated and not habitable for 365 days (this usually happens only when a landlord is not cooperative). 

The Use Nuisance Appeals Board makes a final, appealable decision, and that order is created and kept on file in the City of Dayton One-Stop Center, located at 371 W. Second St. A landlord may receive a copy of the decision order upon request. It sometimes happens that no one is ordered off the property by the Use Nuisance Appeals Board. But a landlord, of his or her own accord, may evict the tenants as a result of learning of the tenants’ illegal activities.

Drug activity and vice crimes such as gambling, prostitution and illegal liquor sales drive property crimes and violent crimes and contribute to the erosion of the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Citizens can help by contacting the Department of Police with observed violations or suspicions so that an investigation can be made and, ultimately, legal orders issued by the Police. Nuisance Abatement cannot occur until this happens. Citizens are encouraged to report drug activity or other suspected illegal activity to Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP (7867). You can remain anonymous when you call in a tip.

No. The City has separate systems. The storm sewer works to drain rainwater directly to the area rivers and streams. The sanitary system takes all wastewater to the sewage treatment plant for treatment prior to its discharge into the river.

Green paint is the color designated for sewer lines by the Ohio Utilities Protection Service or OUPS. Whenever anyone is going to do utility work that requires digging into the ground (gas or water lines, light poles, electric, telephone, or cable lines, etc.) they must call OUPS two days in advance and a representative from the utility company will go to the proposed site and mark any utility they have underground with their designated color. This is done to prevent damage to their utilities that may be in the way of the work to be performed.

Grease enters from homes and / or restaurant pouring their used cooking grease down the drain. This grease will solidify in their own service lines as well as the sewer main and will lead to blockage of the lines causing backups and flooding. Residents should allow cooking oil and grease to cool down, then discard it in the trash can. Restaurants and other businesses should have grease traps installed and properly maintained.

There is no rule of thumb here, it would depend on the condition of the lateral, as well as if trees or shrubs are near the lateral causing a root problem.

This condition would most likely be caused by the water in a basement fixture trap (toilet, sink, floor drain etc.) evaporating allowing sewer gas to come through the trap. Pour water into all fixtures that have a trap to correct the situation.

After it has been confirmed that a lateral is in fact broken, the procedures for repair will depend on where the break is located. If the break is on your side of the curb, it can be repaired by a licensed plumber after a permit is pulled. If the break is on the street side of the curb, the plumber must pull the permit and then get in contact with Sewer Maintenance to have City crews do all work that would be required from the Sewer main to the curb. The City would then charge the plumber for work to the main and the plumber charges you.

Montgomery County Sewer and Water emergencies can be reported at 937-781-2678.

That depends on a number of factors such as, length of lateral, depth of main, class of street, etc. A schedule of prices can be obtained from the Division of Sewer Maintenance by calling 937-333-4915.

An overtaxed sewer main while having heavy rain could be caused by a number of things. Roof downspouts draining too close to the house, a problem with the perimeter or foundation drains, problems with a sump-pump, a blockage of the main, etc. could be the cause (all are examples of internal plumbing problems).  An overtaxed sewer main due to the heavy rain or a blockage of the main could also be the cause. Although we may not be able to determine the exact cause of the problem, Sewer Maintenance can determine if it is being caused by a problem with the sewer main, or if it is an internal plumbing problem.

Pine-Sol or any other disinfectant is good to use in the event of sewage back up. The product our crews use is actually or only to deodorize and not a true disinfectant.

Sewer Odor should not cause serious health problems, but may cause nausea. Ventilate or leave the area if you feel sick from the odor.

The property owner is responsible for the lateral from the house to the sewer main. A plumber, who is licensed with the City of Dayton, is required to pull a plumbing permit to make repairs to existing laterals or make new installations of service laterals, when a problem exists in a homeowner's lateral. All work done in the street must be completed by City crews. The City charges the plumber for all work done in the street and the plumber charges the property owner.

The crew will respond to all calls as quickly as possible. However, the order the calls come in, as well as the nature of the problem, will dictate the response order, or order in which they are responded. Our goal is to answer (response to) all calls within ninety minutes of time received.

As part of the maintenance of sewers, they are cleaned using a hose and nozzle that sprays water at a very high pressure to scour the inside of the pipe. Sometimes this high pressure can create an air vacuum effect, drawing air through house laterals and this vacuum or back-pressure could cause a "gurgling" in the toilet of homes.

The Sewer Main is the sole responsibility of Sewer Maintenance to clean or repair. If some special need would arise that required the homeowner to obtain the Main location, it would be provided by calling Sewer Maintenance at 333-4915. All utilities can be located by calling Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) at 1-800-362-2764. This needs to be done 48 hours before you dig.

No. However this information can sometimes be found by calling plumbing inspection at 333-3892 and asking for a "lateral location" for the property. Also, the homeowner can hire a plumber who can use an electronic probe or other methods to help determine location.

Call the Division of Sewer Maintenance at 937-333-4915 to report problems with drainage or street flooding near your property, as well as any other sewer related problems. We will work with other city agencies, such as Water Engineering, to determine what steps are needed to correct these problems.

As part of the maintenance of sewers, they are cleaned using a hose and nozzle that sprays water at a very high pressure to scour the inside of the pipe. Sometimes this high pressure can force water to travel backward up the service line of homes causing water to be forced out of drains inside the home.

No. Catch basins are part of the public storm sewer system and are the responsibility of the Division of Sewer Maintenance. A seasonal program is used to clean the thousands of catch basins located throughout the city. The storm water fee you pay helps to maintain this program.

No. Catch basins are part of the public storm sewer system and are the responsibility of the Division of Sewer Maintenance. If a problem exists in your area, contact the Division of Sewer Maintenance and a crew will investigate the complaint for potential repair.

The Storm Water fee was created due to a new EPA mandate to improve the quality of water being discharged to rivers and streams to reduce pollution. The fee is charged to any property within the City's corporate limit having its rainwater runoff conveyed either through the storm water sewer system directly or indirectly through other channels to the public storm sewers discharging to a river and/or stream. A portion of the fee is designated to the overall maintenance of the existing storm water system. The fee is also used to help educate the public and private industries on how to employ best practices to reduce pollution in the rainwater leaving their properties going to local rivers and streams. Additionally, street sweeping is also an activity supported by the fee in an effort to reduce litter and other contaminants on the street from reaching the rivers.

This is a landlord tenant dispute. Please settle this through civil court. We cannot turn off water in a residence that is occupied.

Is this a licensed plumber? A licensed plumber can turn water on/off at the curb stop and can do that for you. If they are not a licensed plumber, we have to come out. Only licensed plumbers and Water Department personnel may turn water off/on. There is a $55 charge for turning off and on water which equals $110 total. This is then added to your water bill.

A "dead" meter order comes from Water Revenue Department when they come to read your meter. "Dead" means the numbers on the dial haven't moved from the last read. There is no charge for a meter change.  Call 937-333-3550 if need more help.

You may fill your swimming pool with your garden hose. The Water Department does not credit sewer charges for filling swimming pools. Water Engineering will issue fire hydrant permits to fill pools, however the cost is slightly more than what it would cost to fill your pool with your garden hose. Charges are based upon the volume of the pool. For the fees break down view the Filling Pool page.

If the water is coming from the meter, Water Distribution will come out and replace it, phone number is  937-333-4905.  There is no charge for that. If the water is leaking from the pipes on either side of the meter, you will need to call a plumber. We cannot recommend a plumber. You can check the phone book and get a plumber who is licensed and bonded.

What is your address? I can send out the Leak Investigator. If the leak is on the City side, you do not have to pay for it (phone number is 937-333-4905), if the leak is on your side, unfortunately, you will have to pay.

What is your address? Make sure you keep the clothes wet, even though the water is brown.  After being notified, someone will deliver a bottle of Rust Remover. Phone number is 937-333-4905.  You will need to run the cold, not hot water, to get the rust out.

There is a minimal $55 charge to check water pressure, which is added to your bill. Phone number is 937-333-4905.  Is this a sudden drop in pressure or has it been low for a while? If it is a sudden drop, please check for water bubbling in your yard, or if someone left the garden hose on. Is the pressure low all over the house or just in certain areas? Do you have galvanized or copper plumbing? If you have galvanized, more than likely the pipes are clogged. We will come out and change the meter and make sure the curb stop is turned on. If that doesn't help, and the problem is clogged pipes, the service line will need replaced. The service line is the homeowner's responsibility. The service line runs from the curb stop to the meter, and is underground. If the pressure is low just in certain areas of the house, it then appears to be internal and you will need to call a plumber. Is it low just at the kitchen sink? Do you have an aerator? If so, unscrew it from the faucet, clean it out, and screw it back on.

The lines before and after the meter are the homeowner's responsibility. Before the meter can be replaced, the plumbing must be repaired. After it is repaired, call us back 937-333-3550 and we will schedule the meter change.

This is caused by air in the water mains. It most likely is a result from water main break where the line may be opened to make repairs. The air becomes trapped at high and low points in the water system. We try to solve the problem by flushing the water main after a repair has been completed, but it is difficult to get all of the air out. The water is safe to drink, bath, and wash with. If the cloudiness does not clear up in a short time contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 to help resolve the problem.

When the City changed telephone service providers in 1999, some changes occurred in the way calls were received. Each Customer Representative can have as many as ten calls waiting to be served. If staff availability is low on a particular day, it may take a little longer to get through. Water Revenue has worked very hard to cut down on the amount of time a customer is on hold.

Rusty water is caused by a large unusual flow in the water main. This is generally a result of a fire in your area or a main break. You can drink the water without the worry of a health hazard. It will however stain your laundry. If you have washed any clothes in rusty colored water, you can contact Water Supply & Treatment at 333-6030 and they will supply you with a chemical and instructions to help the problem.

Contact Water Distribution at 333-4905 and they will come out and turn the water off. A $55 charge will be assessed to your bill for the trip.

The storm water utility is based on two different items. 

• First is the impervious area in square feet to be billed. The impervious area of a parcel is any area where rain water cannot penetrate the ground (grass, dirt, gravel areas). Examples of impervious areas would be parking lots, driveways, concrete slabs and the structure itself. This area is measured and billed in square feet. All of these areas require the rainwater to runoff into the storm sewer instead of being absorbed into the ground. 
• Second is the number of days in the billing cycle.

Residential properties are billed a flat rate over 365 days. Business customers are billed $.0363 cents per square foot of area over a 365 day span. So if the billing period is 89 one quarter, and 93 the next the amounts will vary.

In 2016, city of Dayton voters passed Issue 9, an 8-year, 0.25% earned income tax to support expanded service-levels, new investments and the maintenance of essential public safety services. “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” is the implementation of this program over the next 8-years.  It supports four programs: vacant lot and boulevard mowing, city parks improvements, the Pre-school Promise program and residential road resurfacing.  Additionally, “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” supports the expansion of Police presence in city neighborhoods and the maintenance of fire suppression and emergency response activities.

The Preschool Promise initiative is supported by $4.3 million of dedicated funding from the “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” program. The Preschool Promise budget is allocated on a school year basis, starting in August. It is comprised of three components: (1) educating the community and families about the importance of high quality preschool; (2) expanding the availability of high quality preschool in Dayton; and (3) assisting families in finding and paying for high quality preschool.

More than 6,000 vacant lots and boulevards are mowed with the support of the “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” program. The goal is to mow every lot and boulevard five times during warm months, from late April through October. At the end of October, a sixth round is dedicated to brush and debris clean-up, garbage removal and other maintenance needed in advance of winter. Poor weather conditions can alter mowing and clean-up schedules.

Around 6,000 lots are mowed. The vacant lot inventory count is based on city parcels that have been registered with the vacant lot mowing program and may not represent the number of active lots being mowed within a given round, or mow cycle. Neighbors, non-profit groups and owners may begin to maintain a lot at any time; City crews will not mow a lot that is being actively maintained.

Every year, residential roads are selected for resurfacing based on pavement condition, traffic volume, and geographic location.  After completion of the 8-year program, residential road conditions will improve from a “poor” to a “satisfactory” pavement condition rating.  Whenever possible, utility upgrades are completed in advance of repaving.

It typically takes 5-7 seven days to grind and pave a residential street. The City’s contractors have up to 7 days to complete work once they have started grinding the pavement.  Utility replacement work and poor weather conditions can impact how long it takes to complete the project.

A Pavement Condition Index or PCI survey measures the health of city roadways. In the spring of 2017, the City completed a PCI survey and it was determined that the City’s overall network was in poor condition. Data from the 2017 PCI survey was used to develop the baseline condition prior to the start of the road resurfacing program.

Priority for parks improvements from the “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” program is based on park condition and park usage. Parks that have the greatest need and highest usage will be given priority for parks improvement investments. The proposed park improvements for 2018 and 2019 are displayed on the map feature in the Parks Dashboard.

Through the “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” program, police officer staffing will grow from an annual average of 345 officers in 2015 to 365 officers by 2022. This is a total increase of 20 police officers as a result of the Issue 9 funding.

Financial dashboards for each of the program areas depict available and committed budget along with year-to-date actual expenditures. For more information on the City’s budget and expenditures, visit our financial transparency portal, Dayton Open Data, at daytonoh.opengov.com.  Budget and actual expenditures are updated monthly on Dayton Open Data.

The timing for updates is different for each program area. The financial dashboard is “live” and is updated when the City’s financial system updates.  Mowing and Road Resurfacing dashboards are updated at midnight, daily. The Parks dashboard will be updated annually and the Preschool Promise dashboard is updated quarterly.

Beginning with the implementation of the “Your Dollars, Your Neighborhood” program in 2017, users can view historic dashboard information by clicking on the drop down box at the top right corner and selecting the year.

Users can scroll through the map on a PC, tablet or smartphone, or use the search feature in the top right hand of the map. Using the search feature, users can enter an address to view. If users click on the address, information will pop-up, with details about the vacant lot, park or street if it is available.

Yes, the dashboards are optimized for any device. However, the displays are best viewed from a tablet or pc.

Start at the Issue 9 launch page, daytonohio.gov/yourdollarsyourneighborhood. You can choose from five program area tiles to view. Once you choose a tile, the dashboard will load. You can view maps, performance data and financial information. You can filter data by entering an address in the map feature, or by clicking inside a pie chart or graph. Once you are done filtering, exit the dashboard or refresh your browser. This allows the data to reset.

For an in-depth tutorial, view this YouTube video.

The mandate includes all businesses that are open to the public. This includes grocery stores, retail stores, pharmacies, health care facilities, restaurants, and bars, hotels, and motels (excluding the rented room or suite), gyms and similar facilities.

The ordinance only applies indoors, and to buildings open to everyone.  Churches and religious facilities, open air venue like stadiums and concert facilities, and work facilities that are not open to the public are excluded from the order.  

Yes. These include:

• People who cannot wear a mask due to medical conditions, mental health conditions, & developmental disabilities
• Children under 6 years of age
• Restaurant and bar patrons while eating or drinking
• Settings where it is not practicable, like receiving dental services or swimming
• While actively exercising if 6 feet of distance can be maintained

Yes. The mask order applies to everyone in Dayton, vaccinated or not.

The Order was signed by Mayor Nan Whaley on Wednesday, September 15 and took effect immediately.

Let a manager or supervisor know so they can evaluate the situation. DO NOT confront someone for not wearing a mask. DO NOT call Public Health.

Dayton Police will enforce this Order. Violators are subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $85.

Churches, synagogues, mosques and other religious facilities are excluded from the ordinance. Weddings conducted at City Hall or inside other public buildings would require masks.

Indoor private wedding receptions in a rented hall are not covered by the mask ordinance.

Individuals would be required to wear masks inside a barber shop or salon. The only possible exception would be for an individual that is having a service performed where it would not be practicable to wear a mask, such as a shave.

So long as the theater performers are on a stage that is not accessible to the public they are not required to wear masks. The audience, however, would be required to wear masks.

Technically speaking, a short-term rental (STR) is any residential dwelling or part thereof where overnight lodging is offered to the general public in exchange for a fee with intended occupancy of less than thirty (30) consecutive days in any twelve (12) month period. Basically anything you find on sites like Airbnb and VRBO is an STR.

STRs give visitors additional choices on where to stay, they can provide property owners an alternative income stream, and they could potentially result in investment of underutilized areas and properties.

STRs have the potential to disrupt or alter neighborhoods by causing changes to things such as noise and traffic. STRs also have the potential to increase rental property rates if property owners are not required to stay on site.

The City of Dayton currently does not have a system in place to register or regulate STRs, and so we address concerns from owners, users, and neighbors on a case-by-case basis.

In the City of Dayton, we aim to make decisions driven by data. To ensure that we know the overall scale of and demand for STRs in Dayton, as well as the impact on our neighborhoods, our first step will be to contract with a third party to assist in the development of a database of STR locations. Ultimately, this may include host compliance monitoring, implementing a registration process for short-term rentals, and the adoption of regulations.

If you own a residential property, chances are that you could rent it out short-term. It is up to property owners and operators to ensure their STR fits with the neighborhood and does not cause disruption or a nuisance.

Reach out to City of Dayton Planner Jen Hanauer at jennifer.hanauer@daytonohio.gov or call 937-333-2005.

Source of income (SOI) discrimination is the practice of landlords, owners, and real estate brokers to refuse to rent to prospective tenants because of the origin of the funds that the tenant has available. This typically manifests in bias against tenants whose “non-wage” income does not come from traditionally understood employment as an employee or contractor. The SOI discrimination bans outlaw this practice, meaning landlords cannot refuse to rent to tenants who seek to housing assistance vouchers, subsidies, veterans’ benefits, or other forms of public assistance.as for their rent payment.

Renters at risk of discrimination may receive income from a variety of sources that include social security, disability benefits, supplemental security income, public or private sources, all forms of federal, state, or local assistance payments or subsidies, including but not limited to rent vouchers, child support, spousal support, and public assistance, court ordered payments, payments received as gifts, bequests, and/or annuities or life insurance policies.

Not necessarily – source of income discrimination bans mandate that renters with non-wage income have an equal opportunity to rent a property, but does not mandate their ability to do so. Reasons a non-wage income prospective renter may be unable to rent a rental property include, but are not limited to: - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and its subsidiaries who facilitate housing voucher/subsidy programs maintain a list of qualifications a property must meet to be paid for with housing vouchers. If the prospective rental property does not meet these requirements, the housing vouchers cannot be used there.

Landlords may not communicate a preference for tenants with certain sources of income or treat a prospective tenant differently based upon their income source. Landlords are also prohibited from misrepresenting the availability of housing stock in order to dissuade applications from tenants who rely upon a particular income source.

Landlords continue to have the ability to screen prospective tenants based upon lawful qualification criterion. SOI would make it so a prospective tenant with, for example, social security income would have equal opportunity to rent a property and could not be discriminated against based upon their income source. SOI does not require a tenant to accept lower rent nor would it require a landlord to maintain compliance with state or federal subsidized housing standards.

SOI would allow all tenants to enjoy equal access to housing stock regardless of the source of their income. A tenant that suffered discrimination on the basis of source of income could avail themselves of administrative and judicial remedies ranging from filing a Discrimination Complaint with the City of Dayton Human Relations Council. Oversight of a Discrimination Complaint rests with a board that has the power to interview witnesses, subpoena evidence, and order remedies ranging from damages to injunctive relief.

If you believe you have been discriminated per the City of Dayton Revised Code of General Ordinances (R.C.G.O) 32.02-32.21 and 32.99, you may contact us to discuss the filing of a complaint. A housing complaint must be filed within one year from the date of the occurrence of the alleged discriminatory act. You may file your complaint by contacting the Human Relations Council (HRC) at 937-333-1400 or daytonhrc.org.

The HRC’s services are free to the public.

Generally speaking, a tiny home may be built wherever the Zoning Code allows single-family dwellings. Check our interactive zoning map to see what zoning district your property is in. However, these residential districts have design standards for how a home should look.

In the City of Dayton, only one primary structure is permitted per lot.

Homes in the City of Dayton must follow the Ohio Board of Building Standards. As such, a dwelling must always provide permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. All homes must be permanently anchored to the ground with piers or a foundation. All homes must connect to the public water/sanitary system. While there is no minimum size required for a home, there are minimum sizes for certain required rooms with approved means of ingress and egress (entrances and exits) from the dwelling. For example, loft bedrooms may have trouble meeting the minimum requirements. Sheds repurposed as dwellings and homes on wheels or without a permanent foundation are not allowed.

Homes in the City of Dayton must meet Zoning Code standards for setbacks and exterior design. Generally, a home should line up with its neighbor in terms of distance from the street. The zoning district that the home is in will determine the side and rear setbacks. Homes must have or appear to have a raised foundation and must include a covered entrance or porch and front-facing windows. Homes must also include a shade tree in the front yard and off-street parking. In addition to Zoning Code standards, some neighborhoods may have deed restrictions or HOA standards that would need to be met.

While there are no additional Zoning requirements for shipping container homes, the Building Code/Residential Code has extensive requirements for the use of shipping containers for residential construction, and there are design standards to ensure that new homes fit aesthetically into a neighborhood. Shipping container homes often face significant challenges meeting these standards.

Planning staff would likely consider a Planned Development Zoning Overlay to customize regulations to the development. A Planned Development is a zoning change that must be approved by the Dayton City Commission.

Contact Planning Division Manager Tony Kroeger at 937-333-3673 or tony.kroeger@daytonohio.gov.

TIF stands for Tax Increment Financing. It is an economic development tool used by cities across the country to finance public infrastructure and facilitate new investment in the community.

Dayton’s new TIF covers a large portion of the Downtown area including the Central Business District along Main Street and the Webster Station area near the baseball stadium. It does not affect any other part of the city. 

No, not at all. The TIF only changes how the existing property taxes on certain properties are utilized for the benefit of the community.

In 2017, the Dayton City Commission authorized the creation of the new TIF at the recommendation of the City Manager. It was approved by the State of Ohio in 2022. The TIF now appears as a new line item noted as “RMTR72- REMOTE TIF” on eligible downtown property tax bills and the Montgomery County Auditor’s real estate website where applicable for tax year 2023.

The TIF captures the “increment” - or the increase in value on taxable real estate in the specified area. The property tax on that portion of the value is then redirected into a special purpose fund that is used to pay for public improvements.

The City’s plan is to use TIF funds for infrastructure projects and qualified economic development, guided by best practices and a financial analysis of each proposed project.

The legislation authorized the TIF to last for 30 years, and the resulting TIF funds collected each year will be held by the City until they have been spent on qualified projects.

Each year is a discrete grant cycle, but organizations are welcome to apply each year if desired.

Yes, we will accept and review draft proposals or partial proposals and provide feedback through April 15, after which this cannot be guaranteed.

We will make award notifications during June of 2026, complete agreements during June and July and aim to have funding provided by August 2026 if not earlier.

Yes, applicants should indicate if their project can be partially funded and if selected, the grant review committee will discuss in more detail with awardees in June.

Dayton does not currently have a single consolidated Home Repair Program page. Home repair assistance is delivered through multiple programs and partner organizations, but not all City-administered programs are listed.  Currently the best location to find resources is Universal Application - Dayton Energy Collaborative.

The upcoming Dayton Housing Hub & Dashboard will provide a centralized entry point to these and other programs once launched.

Renters seeking assistance may find resources through:

• Greater Dayton Premier Management (Housing Choice Voucher program)
• Tenant legal assistance through ABLE
• Eviction diversion and housing stability partners

Information and partner links will be consolidated within the Housing Hub once launched.

Current housing-related dashboards are available through the City’s Transparency Portal, including:

• Dayton Recovery Plan/ARPA housing initiatives
• Housing Conditions Survey data

The upcoming Dayton Housing Hub & Dashboard will add to this information and centralize these resources in one location.

Developers should visit the Planning & Zoning and Building Services sections of the City website for:

• Zoning code updates
• Land use case information
• Permitting guidance
• Pre-approved plan initiatives (as available)

Clearer development pathways will be incorporated into the Housing Hub.

No. The Housing Hub is an organizational and transparency initiative. It does not change program eligibility, funding allocations, or application procedures.

Housing Policy implementation is coordinated through the Department of Planning, Neighborhoods & Development in collaboration with the Housing Policy Steering Committee and community partners. Updates are provided to City leadership and will be reflected in the forthcoming Housing Dashboard.

The Housing Hub is currently in development. A phased rollout is expected. Updates will be posted on this page as new sections go live.