Administrative overview · FIPS 39159
Union 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
Union County Building Department, Division of Building Regulations
For a project in or near Union 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
937-645-3018
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
233 West 6th Street, Marysville, OH 43040
Operating hours
Office Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; operations Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Review expectation
Permits requiring construction drawings are required by state law to be reviewed within 30 days; permits not requiring drawings are typically issued within one week.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →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 Union County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Union County Building Department, Division of Building Regulations 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 937-645-3018.
How long might review take?
Permits requiring construction drawings are required by state law to be reviewed within 30 days; permits not requiring drawings are typically issued within one week.
How are inspections scheduled?
Schedule inspections through the OpenGov portal, with a 7:00 a.m. cutoff for same-business-day inspections, or call the inspection line at 937-645-3019 with the permit number, address, and inspection type. Phone scheduling can take two business days. Approved plans must remain onsite and the address must be posted; after-hours requests require 48 hours' notice.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Commercial: 2024 Ohio Building Code, 2024 Ohio Existing Building Code, 2024 Ohio Mechanical Code, 2017 Ohio Fire Code, 2021 IFGC/IECC, 2023 NFPA 70, 2022 NFPA 72 and NFPA 13. Residential: 2019 Residential Code of Ohio, 2023 NEC, 2018 IECC, and 2024 ICC Swimming Pool and Spa Code, as listed in the county's current-code references dated January 28, 2026. The county FAQ states that decks are exempt only when under 30 inches above grade, not connected to the house, under 200 square feet, and not at a required egress door; fences require approval when serving as a pool barrier or over 6 feet high; residential sheds 200 square feet or less and commercial sheds 120 square feet or less are building-code exempt; patios generally do not need building approval but may need zoning; qualifying agricultural buildings are exempt under ORC 3781.061; and simple furnace replacements may not require drawings. Ordinary maintenance and other code-specific exemptions should be confirmed.