Roof Replacement Permit in Franklin County, Ohio
Permit required
Yes, a permit is required
Before replacing roofing, siding, windows or exterior doors on a home in unincorporated Franklin County.
Issued byFranklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department
By Mario Bailey, verified against official sources
Quick answer
Franklin County requires a building permit to replace roofing, and groups it with doors, windows and siding in a single line on its permit list. There is no size, cost or square-count condition attached: the requirement is flat. A Certificate of Zoning Compliance is also required, since roofing, siding and window replacement is one of the listed uses of the Residential Zoning Compliance application. The permit is cheap and skips plan review, at $50.00 plus the state surcharge, and the county explicitly notes that no plan review is required for roof, siding and window replacement.
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When a permit is usually needed
Before replacing roofing, siding, windows or exterior doors on a home in unincorporated Franklin County.
What a roof replacement permit costs in Franklin County
How Franklin County compares in Ohio
| Jurisdiction | Permit needed? | Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | It depends | number of roof coverings remaining in place after the work on a one-, two- or three-family dwelling |
| Cleveland | It depends | share of the roof whose shingles are replaced, where the replacement is in the same material |
| Columbus | Permit required | Any size |
| Franklin Countythis page | Permit required | Any size |
How to apply in Franklin County
In Franklin County, a residential reroof permit application is lighter than for structural work: you state whether the scope is a full tear-off (roof replacement) or an overlay (roof recover), describe the covering material and its manufacturer instructions, and note the condition of the existing deck, since those facts determine which code path applies.
What most roof replacement permit applications include:
- State on the application whether the job is a roof replacement, which strips all existing layers down to the bare deck, or a roof recover, which leaves the old covering in place under specific conditions, since the two scopes are governed differently (IRC R908.3).
- For Franklin County, a recover is only an option where the new covering follows the roof covering manufacturer's approved instructions or is a self-supporting system, such as standing-seam metal, that does not rely on the existing roof for support (IRC R908.3.1).
- Full tear-off must be scoped on the application instead of a recover when the existing roof is water soaked or deteriorated, is slate, clay, cement, or asbestos-cement tile, or already carries two or more layers of roof covering (IRC R908.3.1.1).
- For Franklin County, the materials and installation methods described on the application must comply with the reroofing requirements of the roof-assemblies chapter (IRC R908.1).
- If the scope reuses existing slate, clay, or cement tile, damaged or broken pieces cannot be listed for reinstallation, and any rusted or deteriorated flashings, edgings, outlets, or vents uncovered during tear-off must be scoped for replacement (IRC R908.5).
General submittal guidance from IRC Section R908 Reroofing (text as adopted in the 2020 Residential Code of New York State, based on the 2018 IRC). Source. Franklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department sets the exact checklist for Franklin County.
Where to apply in Franklin County:
Franklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department
- Franklin County Building Department, 142 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 (the Economic Development and Planning Department offices, where zoning applications are filed, are at 150 South Front Street, FSL Suite 10, Columbus, OH 43215-7104)
- Phone: 614-525-3166
- Email: building@franklincountyohio.gov
Roof Replacement Permit in Franklin County compared with nearby Ohio localities
| Locality | Permit needed? | Threshold | What each Ohio schedule says | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | Permit required | Any size | 1, 2014', Building Permit Fees: 'Roof Replacement $50.00', 'Siding Replacement $50.00'... | |
| Cincinnati | It depends | number of roof coverings remaining in place after the work on a one-, two- or three-family dwelling | ...valuation under "NEW CONSTRUCTION - ADDITION - ALTERATION - REPAIR" (a $2,000.00... | |
| Cleveland | It depends | share of the roof whose shingles are replaced, where the replacement is in the same material | ...family dwelling house is charged under section A(2) "Alterations or repairs: $5.00... | |
| Columbus | Permit required | Any size | Flat $140 covers the combined roof, siding, windows and doors permit with a single... |
Inspections and closing out your permit
In Franklin County, most residential reroofs get two to three field inspections keyed to the scope of work: a deck or nailing check when sheathing is exposed or replaced, a final on the completed covering and flashings, and in some high-wind regions a dedicated check of mitigation measures added during tear-off.
- In Franklin County: where the covering is fully removed and the sheathing is exposed, replaced, or added, inspectors check the deck and its nailing before any new roofing goes down, since the structural framework must be able to carry the new covering's loads (IRC R908.2).
- In Franklin County: an overlay is only approved where it meets one of the code's listed recover conditions, such as installation in accordance with the covering manufacturer's approved instructions (IRC R908.3.1).
- In Franklin County: flashings disturbed or replaced during the job are checked against the approved manufacturer's installation instructions, and metal flashing that will receive bituminous material must be primed before installation (IRC R908.6).
- In Franklin County: a final inspection confirms the completed roof covering and its fasteners were installed as required for that material and per manufacturer instructions before the permit is closed (IRC R905).
- In Franklin County: in some regions with strengthened wind provisions, reroofing an older single-family home also triggers inspection of supplemental deck-nailing and a secondary water barrier added during tear-off, on top of the base reroofing requirements (Florida Building Code, Residential R908.7 Mitigation).
- In Franklin County: reinstalled existing slate, clay, or cement tile is checked against reuse limits at inspection, and any rusted, damaged, or deteriorated flashings, edgings, outlets, or vents found during tear-off must be replaced rather than reinstalled (IRC R908.5).
Schedule each inspection in advance and pass the final before you use the work or close the permit. Request inspections through the Franklin County permit portal or by phone at 614-525-3166.
Inspection sequence from IRC Section R908 Reroofing and Section R905 Roof Coverings (2021 International Residential Code). Source. An open permit left un-inspected can surface later in a title search or home sale.
Your Roof Replacement Permit checklist for Franklin County
- Confirm the requirement. Yes, a permit is required. Usually needed: Before replacing roofing, siding, windows or exterior doors on a home in unincorporated Franklin County.
- Budget the fee. Franklin County EDP Fee Schedule, 'Effective Jan. 1, 2014', Building Permit Fees: 'Roof Replacement $50.00', 'Siding Replacement $50.00', 'Window Replacement $50.00'. The schedule's Penalty Fees block carries 'Initial Plan Review $50.00' with the note '*No plan review required for roof, siding and window replacement'. Footnote: '* Does not include 1% State Building Permit Surcharge'. Zoning Fees: 'Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Residential $75.00'. Official fee schedule.
- Apply. In Franklin County, a residential reroof permit application is lighter than for structural work: you state whether the scope is a full tear-off (roof replacement) or an overlay (roof recover), describe the covering material and its manufacturer instructions, and note the condition of the existing deck, since those facts determine which code path applies. Start at the Franklin County permit portal.
- Keep the office details handy. Franklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department. Phone: 614-525-3166. Address: Franklin County Building Department, 142 S. Front St., Columbus, OH 43215 (the Economic Development and Planning Department offices, where zoning applications are filed, are at 150 South Front Street, FSL Suite 10, Columbus, OH 43215-7104).
- Plan for inspections. In Franklin County, most residential reroofs get two to three field inspections keyed to the scope of work: a deck or nailing check when sheathing is exposed or replaced, a final on the completed covering and flashings, and in some high-wind regions a dedicated check of mitigation measures added during tear-off.
Compiled from the official sources on this page. Last checked .
Frequently asked questions
- Do you need a roof replacement permit in Franklin County?
- Franklin County requires a building permit to replace roofing, and groups it with doors, windows and siding in a single line on its permit list. There is no size, cost or square-count condition attached: the requirement is flat. A Certificate of Zoning Compliance is also required, since roofing, siding and window replacement is one of the listed uses of the Residential Zoning Compliance application. The permit is cheap and skips plan review, at $50.00 plus the state surcharge, and the county explicitly notes that no plan review is required for roof, siding and window replacement. Always confirm with the Franklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department before starting.
- How much does a roof replacement permit cost in Franklin County?
- Franklin County EDP Fee Schedule, 'Effective Jan. 1, 2014', Building Permit Fees: 'Roof Replacement $50.00', 'Siding Replacement $50.00', 'Window Replacement $50.00'. The schedule's Penalty Fees block carries 'Initial Plan Review $50.00' with the note '*No plan review required for roof, siding and window replacement'. Footnote: '* Does not include 1% State Building Permit Surcharge'. Zoning Fees: 'Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Residential $75.00'. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.
- How long does a roof replacement permit take in Franklin County?
- Building permits are issued 7 to 10 days after full plan approval for properties with access to public water and sewer. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.
- Where do you apply for a roof replacement permit in Franklin County?
- You can apply through the Franklin County permit portal or contact the Franklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department directly. The links are listed on this page.
- Can a homeowner pull a roof replacement permit themselves in Franklin County?
- Under Ohio law (OAC 4101:8-1-01 Section 105.1; R.C. 3791.04(A)(1)(b); R.C. 4740.01(F)): Ohio has no statewide general contractor license, so the Residential Code of Ohio names the property owner directly as an authorized permit applicant: an owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, alter, repair, or change the occupancy of a residential building must first make application to the local certified building department and obtain approval, meaning a homeowner may pull their own permit and act as their own contractor. R.C. Chapter 4740's statewide licenses for electrical, HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration and hydronics contractors apply to 'construction projects', which R.C. 4740.01(F) defines to exclude residential buildings as defined in R.C. 3781.06, so that licensing does not reach one-, two-, or three-family home construction. In a county, township, or municipality with no residential building department certified by the state Board of Building Standards, R.C. 3791.04(A)(1)(b) and the Residential Code of Ohio's administrative rule both say the owner is not required to submit construction documents, seek approval, request inspections, or obtain a certificate of occupancy at all, which removes the state permitting framework, and with it the owner-builder question, in those jurisdictions. Confirm how Franklin County applies this before you apply.
From the Library
What else needs a permit in Franklin County
Every other permit type we have verified for this jurisdiction, with the rule that applies here.
None of the 9 project types verified for Franklin County carry a size or scope threshold. See the Permit needed column for each project's own answer, since there is no threshold to compare here.
| Project | Permit needed? | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014', Building Permit Fees: 'Decks, Under 1000 sq ft $75.00', '1000 sq ft and over... |
| Electrical Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014', still lists Building Permit Fees: 'Electric Permit, Each outlet $1.50', 'Each... |
| Fence Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014', Zoning Fees: 'Fence Permit/Zoning Compliance $25.00' |
| HVAC Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014', Building Permit Fees: 'HVAC Permit, Each 10 runs or portion thereof $10.00'... |
| Patio Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014', Zoning Fees: 'Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Residential $75.00' |
| Plumbing Permit | Permit required | See schedule |
| Pool Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014', Zoning Fees: 'Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Residential $75.00' |
| Shed Permit | Permit required | 1, 2014': Building Permit Fees, 'Base Fee (first 1000 sq. ft.) $120.00' and 'Plus: Each... |
| Solar Permit | Permit required | ...County EDP: Certificate of Zoning Compliance, Residential, 'Roof Mounted $25.00'... |
Roof Replacement Permit in other Ohio localities
Everything above, sourced
Code references
National and state model-code sections the general guidance on this page is drawn from. They are not Franklin County documents; the office above sets the local rules.
How this roof replacement permit page for Franklin County was verified. 2 official sources: franklincountyohio.gov, franklincountyohio.gov; fee schedule: official document. Last checked by Mario Bailey, not confirmed with Franklin County Building Department (Division of Building), Franklin County Economic Development and Planning Department. Rules change; confirm before you build. How we verify.
Last checked: Report an error on this page
Compare Roof Replacement Permit requirements across Ohio localities