Ohio permit review deadlines
How long does it take to get a building permit in Ohio?
Ohio gives a building department 30 days to approve or disapprove plans after they are filed.
If the department does nothing, the law treats the silence as a denial. That gives the owner the right to a hearing, but it does not approve the plans.
See the deadlines ↓Current Ohio state-level guidelines
The short answer
Under Ohio Revised Code 3791.04, the approving authority must approve or disapprove plans within 30 days after they are filed. A disapproval must state the reasons. If the authority does not act in 30 days, that counts as an adjudication order denying approval, which gives the owner the right to a hearing. The rule covers both residential and nonresidential buildings where a certified building department has jurisdiction.
By project type
Ohio permit review deadlines.
Ohio sets one deadline for plan approval.
| Project type | Deadline | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Plan approval | 30 days | To approve or disapprove, counted from filing. |
| Approval validity | 12 months | Approval lapses if work has not started. One 12-month extension is available. |
Step by step
How Ohio's review clock works.
Where no certified department has jurisdiction, nonresidential plans go to the state.
Objections must be specific, and a disapproval must give reasons.
Where an objection comes from conflicting readings of the rules, the owner can ask to proceed up to the point of the objection.
When the clock runs out
What happens when an Ohio department misses the 30 days.
No action in 30 days is treated as an order denying approval.
The denial can be appealed through the state's adjudication hearing process.
Faster permit approvals start with more efficient plan review.
See how your team can spend less time chasing comments, waiting on other disciplines, and tracking down the status of a review, without changing your permitting system or CDP.
Recent changes
What changed, and when.
September 10, 2012
Current version of section 3791.04 takes effect2025
HB 361 is introducedThe bill would let owners use a certified private inspector or another building department when the local office is late. It has not become law.
City by city
How Ohio cities handle review times.
Ohio's cities work under the state's 30-day rule.
Columbus
As a certified building department, Columbus must approve or reject plans within 30 days of filing. The city does not post separate turnaround targets of its own.
Read the source →City details come from each city's public pages as of November 12, 2026. Cities change their targets and processes often, so check the linked source for the current version.
Common questions
Ohio building permit deadlines, answered.
How long does it take to get a building permit in Ohio?
The building department has 30 days after plans are filed to approve or disapprove them.
Are plans approved if Ohio's 30 days pass?
No. The law treats the missed deadline as a denial, which the owner can appeal at a hearing.
How long is an Ohio plan approval good for?
Twelve months if work has not started, with one 12-month extension available. Approval also lapses if work stops for more than 6 months.
How do Ohio building departments keep up with these deadlines?
Three habits show up in the departments that hit the clock. They check applications for missing items in the first few days. They let building, fire, planning, and engineering review the same plans at the same time. And they track the days left on every review, so a manager can step in before a deadline passes.
Read it for yourself
Sources.
Keep exploring
Deadlines in other states.
If you review plans in Ohio
Working under Ohio's review clock? See how e-PlanSoft can help you hit it consistently.
Meeting a review deadline starts with a good intake process, disciplines that work together, and a clear view of every review in progress.
Book a demoSee how collaborative review works →This page summarizes public laws, rules, and city review practices in Ohio as of November 12, 2026. Deadlines vary by location and permit type. These summaries are for reference, not legal advice. Check the linked sources and local requirements for the rules that apply to your project.