Customer Service
How Do I Apply For A Permit?
Applications for permits, certificates or licenses can be made in person at the Business Development Permit Center located at 3300 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225, between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Limited Services: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – no cash transactions). 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday for Walk-Through Service. Applications may also be mailed to that address.
You can now apply for a limited set of permits on-line. Welcome to Eztrak! This program allows you to apply for plumbing, standardized decks, residential/commercial mechanical replacement and new HVAC in existing buildings and plumbing replacements.
http://cagis.hamilton-co.org/opal/ezTrakHome.aspx?entcode=cinc
Fax-A-Permit is designed to provide easy and rapid access for obtaining permits and commercial and residential work which does not require drawings. Permits for items such as furnace or air conditioning replacement, repairs, and plumbing work can be faxed. Prerequisites for using this service are an active escrow account to pay for the permit; an application that does not require plans, and a fax number for receiving the permit. As an alternative to an escrow account, a credit card number and expiration date can be submitted with the faxed application. Faxed applications received by 9:00 a.m. on a City workday will generate a faxed permit by 5:00 p.m. the same day. The fax number for permits is (513) 352-1598.
How Do I check Permit Status?
Welcome to EZTRAK. You can now track applications, inspections and plan review online. This program is designed to let you check the status of applications by address or project number. You can also review reports and apply for plumbing, mechanical repair and decks online.
http://cagis.hamilton-co.org/opal/ezTrakHome.aspx?entcode=cinc
How Do I Apply Digitally?
GO Digital – Go Green! A new tool is available through the City of Cincinnati website to help finalize plans as effectively and efficiently as possible. Digital Document Submission Assistant will help you streamline document submittals. It offers step-by-step directions to help you prepare a set of documents along with the indexing file (submittal.xml) for submittal using appropriate media like CDs, DVDs, etc. All digital submissions must be accompanied with 2* sets of paper drawings and an application for the proposed work to be performed. (*3 sets of plans are required if mechanical is included). When a digital version of plans is submitted, the scanning fee is waived.
How Much Does Plan Review And A Permit Cost?
All permit applications will be assessed a one time non-refundable fee, which is due at the time of application. Not applicable to all plumbing and HVAC repair/replace applications not requiring plans. $25.00 for 1, 2, & 3 Family Dwelling and $75.00 for Multi-Family & Commercial.
The permit fee for new buildings and additions is based on the valuation of construction as determined by the Building Department using the fee schedule contained in Policy Directive 92. Other permit fees are based on the estimated cost of work shown on the application form.
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/pages/-8974-/
Payment may be made in cash, by check for the amount due, with MasterCard or Visa, or from a trust account. For your convenience, a trust account can be established to deposit funds against which you can charge your future fee.
Details about the cost of your permit can be provided by the Customer Service Section staff at (513)352-3271.
How Do I Find Application Forms, Handouts?
Find frequently requested applications, forms and handouts by visiting our website at http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/pages/-6537-/. Need something not listed? Call 513-352-3271.
How Do I Apply for Permit via Internet Permitting?
The City of Cincinnati currently provides online permit tracking and online applications for a limited set of permits. Registering as a member provides additional benefits including access to applying for Permits Online, Tracking Projects and receiving notifications through e-mail. Eztrak Memberships is now open to all customers. To use all the services we provide you must register and create a user account.
http://cagis.hamilton-co.org/opal/ezTrakHome.aspx?entcode=cinc
How Do I Obtain Permit Records?
All of our building permit records are available for public inspection. You are entitled to access public records, under reasonable conditions, and to copies of those records, upon paying the cost of making the copy.
Building permit records are open for inspection by any person during regular office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are located at 3300 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio.
All of our records are maintained by address. Due to the method that our files are maintained and staff time constraints, we cannot scrutinize every report filed to find the exact information requested. Searching for a specific item, such as a Certificate of Occupancy/Inspection, Housing Orders, Building Permits, etc., are filed by address but are intermingled with all other records pertaining to that address. Please allow reasonable time to complete your search.
A request to review a building permit record should be made to the customer service section. The record will be pulled and we will provide a comfortable place and instructions for the requesting person to review the records. Copies can be reproduced at a rate of five (5) cents per copy for 8 ½ by 11 and 8 ½ x 14 papers.
For further information please call our Customer Service Section at (513) 352-3271. We will be happy to assist you.
How Do I Request Premium Services?
Premium Services are offered to better accommodate the often changing and unpredictable needs of development while providing customized services tailored to a project’s needs and “just in time “ permit approval and inspection services. For more information please click the link provided
http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/pages/-16539-/ or call us at (513) 352-3271 to discuss which option is right for you.
How Do I apply for Contractor Registration?
Contractor Registration: Before you can begin work
Before a contractor can begin work in the City of Cincinnati, a contractor registration must be obtained. The primary intent of the registration is to provide a level of consumer protection by ensuring that all building construction contractors are registered, bonded, insured and current with their income taxes. There are three contractor registration categories:
- Home Improvement Contractor. This category will include all contractors that are involved in the repair, remodeling, alteration, improvement, or addition to any building used as a private residence in one, two and three family structures.
- OCILB Licensed Specialty Contractors. This category is for contractors that are licensed by the State through the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board in the following fields:
- Electrical contractor;
- Plumbing contractor;
- Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) contractor;
- Hydronics (steam and hot water) contractor;
- Refrigeration contractor
- Building Construction Contractor. This designation will apply to all other contractors that are not addressed in the two previous descriptions. This classification shall also include the new construction of one, two and three family dwellings.
The initial registration and annual renewal fee will be $125 for all registrations. A contractor may apply for a registration for a one, two or three-year period of time. Registration shall be renewable during the thirty-day period immediately preceding the expiration date.
Buildings and Inspections will accept applications for registration at the Development and Permit Center located at 3300 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45225. Application information, bond and assignment forms may be accessed through the B&I web site at http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/pages/-17983-/ or you may call 352-3260 for additional assistance.
Electrical Permit?
Electrical permits, inspections and plan review are outsourced to the Inspection Bureau, Inc. (IBI). IBI is located at 250 W. Court Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. The IBI process is fully integrated with the City’s electronic building permit processes. The electrical contractor submits permit applications and plans directly to IBI at their office. The turn around time for electrical plan review is 3 days. The turn around time for electrical permits (at IBI’s counter) is about 15 minutes. Permit submittals and scheduling requests can also be submitted on-line. In extremely rare cases, a developer or builder may choose to undertake these tasks instead of the electrical contractor. In these cases the developer or builder may complete the necessary forms at the BDPC and IBI will pick them up. IBI has staff dedicated to the BDPC that is immediately accessible via telephone should any questions arise. For more information please call IBI at (513) 977-4381.
How Do I Find Reports?
The Buildings and Inspections Division publishes monthly reports related to residential and commercial building permit activity. Link to the monthly reports here: http://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/pages/-6536-/
If you have a request for a permit search that you would like to see on our Web site please e-mail us at chad.beringhaus@cincinnati-oh.gov and let us know the type of permit search you would like to see.
How Do I Obtain Information About the Permit Process?
For further information pertaining to the permit process and special services offered, check out our permit
guide http://cincinnati-oh.gov/bldginsp/downloads/bldginsp_eps9521.pdf . We have designed this guide with the first time customer in mind. It has been created to explain the various steps, requirements and resources available to you from preliminary review through final approval. This information will help those who have little or no experience with the building permit process. Experienced building professionals will also benefit from the information provided about City requirements for permits and inspections.
