Building permits in Columbus, OH
Permits for Columbus are issued by City of Columbus, Dept. of Building & Zoning Services (BZS). Applications go through the portal below.
Checked against the department's own page on 6 Sep 2026
Where to file
- Department
- City of Columbus, Dept. of Building & Zoning Services (BZS)
- Phone
- (614) 645-7433
- Portal
- portal.columbus.gov/permits
Accela portal. City BZS (separate from Franklin County). 111 N Front St. Permit intake and processing 614-645-6090.
What each job needs in Columbus
Typical requirements and fee ranges. Fees scale with project valuation, so treat these as a starting point and confirm the number with City of Columbus before you quote.
| Project | Permits | Typical fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Remodel | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Addition | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC) | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| New Construction | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Site / Grading | $500–3,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
| Electrical | Electrical | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Plumbing | Plumbing | $50–200 | 3–5 business days |
| HVAC / Mechanical | Mechanical (HVAC) | $50–250 | 3–5 business days |
| Roofing | Roofing | $100–400 | 1–5 business days |
| Deck / Fence | Building | $150–1,000+ (scaled to project valuation) | 10–15 business days |
| Demolition | Demolition | $50–400 | 5–10 business days |
| Commercial Build-Out | Building, Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical (HVAC), Fire / Life-Safety Review | $300–2,000+ (scaled to valuation; plan review separate) | 10–15 business days |
Licensing in Ohio
The state OCILB license covers only commercial specialty trades (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, hydronics, refrigeration); there is no statewide general-contractor license — GC licensing is local.
Issued by Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) — Dept. of Commerce (trades); local for GC · Verify a licence
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Other Ohio jurisdictions
All Ohio jurisdictionsDepartment, portal and phone checked against the official page on 6 Sep 2026. Fee ranges and turnaround times are typical for this kind of work and are not quotes. Requirements change, so confirm with the department before you file. SQM.AI is not a law firm and this page is not legal advice.