Union County, Ohio Building Permit Guide

The Union County Building Department, a division of the County Engineer, is at 233 West 6th Street, Marysville, OH 43040 (937-645-3018), open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. By agreement it provides commercial and residential code enforcement for all municipalities except Unionville Center, Plain City (incorporated areas) and the City of Dublin; Marysville, Richwood, Milford Center and Magnetic Springs contract with the county.

This guide covers the County Building Department, the Health Department’s plumbing program and the order of approvals in Marysville.

What requires a building permit in Union County?

Ohio’s building codes are statewide; what changes in Union County is which office handles the address and what that office asks for on top.

Before a Union County residential permit is issued you need plan approval, zoning approval from the township or municipality, and site plan approval from the Union County Health Department if the property has a well or septic system.

Permits in Union County are governed by Ohio’s statewide codes: the Ohio Building Code for commercial and other nonresidential buildings, and the Residential Code of Ohio for detached one-, two- and three-family dwellings. The Ohio Building, Mechanical and Plumbing Codes in force since 1 March 2024 are based on the 2021 International Codes; the Residential Code of Ohio is the 2019 edition, based on the 2018 International Residential Code; both use the 2023 National Electrical Code. Only departments certified by the Ohio Board of Building Standards may approve plans, and residential rules are uniform statewide. How Ohio’s statewide code works

Who handles permitting in Union County?

Plumbing: since January 1, 2024 the Union County Health Department, not the Building Department, issues plumbing permits, schedules plumbing inspections and registers plumbing contractors. Its office is at 940 London Ave, Suite 1100, Marysville; plumbing questions go to (937) 645-2046.

The Ohio Board of Building Standards certifies which departments may enforce the code, and for which buildings; the certified department’s political subdivision sets fees, and zoning is a separate approval. Where no certified department has jurisdiction, nonresidential plans go to the state, while houses need no plan submission. The Board’s building-department look-up shows which department has authority over an address. Who has authority in Ohio

Marysville and plumbing rules

Building in Marysville

Inside Marysville, the City issues the zoning permit and the County Building Department issues the building permit; city zoning approval must come before county building permit approval. After construction, pass the City’s Certificate of Compliance inspection, then the County’s Certificate of Occupancy inspection.

Plumbing contractors

Plumbing contractors must register with the Health Department before working in the county, with proof of state licensure and a surety bond; registration runs for the calendar year and expires on Dec. 31.

Plumbing stickers

The Health Department marks plumbing inspections with stickers instead of permit cards. The permit applicant must show building inspectors where the sticker is, typically in the washer box or on a plumbing stack for the rough inspection.

Union County permit costs and fees

Residential fees effective January 1, 2024:

• Application $35.00; plan review $105.00 for new work, additions, alterations and accessory buildings.
• Building permit $95.00 plus $10.00 per 100 square feet; electric and HVAC each $65.00 plus $5.00 per 100 square feet.
• Re-inspection $65.00; after-hours inspections $150.00 per hour with a 2 hour minimum per inspector.
• Flood hazard permit $100.00; Board of Building Appeals $110.00; work without a permit $250.00.

Fee schedules are revised on each jurisdiction’s own cycle, so ask the issuing department for the schedule in force on your filing date, and ask separately about plan review, trade, re-inspection and revision charges. A Board of Building Standards assessment of 3 percent (nonresidential) or 1 percent (residential) is added to local fees. How Ohio permit fees work

How to get a building permit in Union County

Approved plans become invalid if work has not started within twelve months, with one twelve-month extension available. Before filing, confirm the department has authority over the address for the work, whether the Ohio Building Code or the Residential Code of Ohio governs, and which approvals must be in hand first. Review and corrections in Ohio

Inspections in Union County

Inspections are scheduled through OpenGov, with a 7 AM cutoff for same-business-day inspections, or by calling the inspection line at 937-645-3019, which can take two business days. After-hours inspection requests need 48 hours notice.

Specific inspection times are taken only between 9 AM and 3 PM, and only for footings, commercial structural slabs, foundation steel, electric service upgrades, occupied homes and witnessed acceptance tests (48-hour notice). Since July 1, 2025 the county has offered optional virtual inspections for select inspection types.

No building may be occupied until a certificate of occupancy or completion is issued, and a change of occupancy needs approved construction documents even without other work. Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection, and do not cover work before it has been inspected and approved. Inspections and occupancy in Ohio

Official Union County permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Union County residential information
• Inspection policies
• Virtual inspections
• Residential fee schedule 2024
• Union County Health Department plumbing

Frequently asked questions

Does the Union County Building Department cover Marysville?

Yes, by agreement; the City issues the zoning permit first and the county issues the building permit.

Who issues plumbing permits in Union County?

The Union County Health Department, since January 1, 2024; plumbing questions go to (937) 645-2046.

What is the cutoff for a same-day inspection?

7 AM through OpenGov; the phone line at 937-645-3019 can take two business days.

Simplify Union County permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Confirm which certified building department, health district and zoning office have the address
• Prepare the building application and plans, plus the zoning, drainage and plumbing filings that go with them
• Submit through the right portal or inbox and track plan review, inspections and the certificate of occupancy

Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Ohio. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Union County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.