County Permit SearchU.S. compliance directory
OhioClark County

Administrative overview · FIPS 39023

Clark County permit authority

The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.

Jurisdictional status

County

This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.

Responsible agency

Clark County Community and Economic Development / Community Development Department

For a project in or near Clark County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.

Direct contact

937-521-2160

Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.

Permit counter

Springview Government Center, 3130 E. Main St., Suite 1A, Springfield, OH 45505

Operating hours

Monday-Friday; office opens 7:30 AM, front counter closes 4:00 PM, office closes 4:30 PM

Review expectation

N/A; the 2026 application states staff will call when approval is complete, but no standard review duration is published.

Compliance workbench

Choose the next project decision.

Source trail

Official sources for this profile

Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.

Project questions

Frequently asked questions for Clark County

Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?

Clark County Community and Economic Development / Community Development Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.

How should I begin an application?

Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 937-521-2160.

How long might review take?

N/A; the 2026 application states staff will call when approval is complete, but no standard review duration is published.

How are inspections scheduled?

Call the Building Department at 937-521-2160 by 3:30 PM to schedule the next working day's inspection, subject to staff availability. The online portal displays inspection activity and results; typical inspections include lot-line, footer, foundation, slab, rough trades, framing, insulation, finals, and occupancy-related approvals.

Which codes and exemptions should I review?

2019 Residential Code of Ohio (RCO), OAC 4101:8, for residential work; 2024 Ohio Building Code (OBC), based on the 2021 IBC, for commercial work. Referenced standards include the 2023 NEC, 2024 Ohio Mechanical Code, 2024 Ohio Plumbing Code, and applicable fire and energy codes. The county guide lists no permit for fences, painting/papering/tiling/carpeting, playground equipment, concrete patios/sidewalks/terraces on grade, cosmetic or minor maintenance repairs without access/safety/health impact, deck-board repairs, qualifying window replacements without changing opening size/location, siding repair/replacement, and limited fixture or appliance replacements. Accessory structures over 200 square feet require permits; zoning may apply at 120 square feet or more.

Before contacting the permit counter

Have the project facts ready.

A productive call starts with a clear description of the property and proposed work. Keep the site address, parcel or assessor number, project valuation, existing occupancy, approximate square footage, structural scope, contractor information, and desired start date in front of you. Those facts help the Authority Having Jurisdiction route the question to building, planning, fire, environmental health, or another reviewing discipline.

Questions worth asking

  • • Is the parcel inside an incorporated city or county service area?
  • • Does this scope require building, trade, zoning, fire, or site permits?
  • • What plans and supporting documents make the submittal complete?
  • • How much lead time is needed for each inspection?