Permits & Inspections
The Building & Development Services Department administers the adopted building codes of the State of Ohio within unincorporated Clairmont County and, by contract, within the villages of Holt Springs, Averill, Cedar Grove, and New Carthage. The department reviews construction plans, issues building permits, and performs field inspections.
When is a Permit Required?
A permit is required before beginning most construction, alteration, demolition, or change of occupancy. Common examples include:
- New dwellings, additions, garages, and accessory buildings over 200 square feet
- Structural alterations, including load-bearing wall removal
- Electrical service changes and new circuits (Electrical permit)
- Water heater replacement and gas piping (Plumbing permit)
- Furnace, A/C, and solid-fuel appliance installation (Mechanical permit)
- Demolition of any structure (Demolition permit)
- Earth disturbance over 2,500 square feet or work in a drainage easement (Grading permit)
- Signs, both wall and freestanding (Sign permit)
- Swimming pools deeper than 24 inches (Pool permit)
Ordinary repairs such as painting, floor coverings, and shingle-for-shingle roof repair on one- and two-family dwellings generally do not require a permit. When in doubt, call the office before you build — correcting unpermitted work is far more expensive than permitting it up front.
How to Apply
- Complete a permit application, available at the office or by mail. Applications are accepted at the counter Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Submit two (2) sets of construction drawings. Residential projects may submit owner-drawn plans if legible and to scale.
- Pay the plan review deposit. See the fee schedule.
- Plan review is typically completed within 10 business days for residential projects and 20 business days for commercial projects.
- Once approved, pay the balance of fees and post the permit card at the job site.
Scheduling an Inspection
Call the inspection request line at (740) 555-4622 before 3:00 PM to be placed on the next business day’s inspection route. Please have your permit number, site address, and the type of inspection requested. Same-day inspection requests cannot be accommodated. Results are recorded to the permit record, normally by the end of the inspection day, and can be viewed through the Permit Search.
Contractor Registration
Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors must hold a current State of Ohio license and register annually with the department ($75.00 per trade, per calendar year). General contractors are not licensed by the county but must carry workers’ compensation coverage where required by law.
Page last updated: 01/12/2026