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Ohio, Delaware County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Delaware County, Ohio Plumbing Permit Requirements

In Delaware County, Ohio, plumbing permit requirements are primarily handled by the Delaware General Health District for residential, commercial, and medical gas installations, with the exception of specific cities like Columbus, Dublin, and Westerville. For properties in unincorporated areas of Delaware County, building permits, including those for plumbing, are managed by the County's Building Safety department.

County code mandates that permits are required for any construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, movement, demolition, or change in occupancy of a building or structure. This also extends to regulated electrical, gas, mechanical, and plumbing work. The Delaware County Code Compliance enforces the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio, while the Delaware General Health District enforces the Ohio Plumbing Code.

For unincorporated areas, the process generally involves determining if the property falls under township or county zoning, obtaining necessary zoning approval, submitting building plans electronically in PDF format, and then paying fees to receive the permit.

Key requirements and considerations for plumbing permits include:

It is important to note that while the City of Delaware's Building Division handles building and zoning permits for projects within the city limits, they do not review plumbing permits; these should be filed with the Delaware County Health District.

Resources to Learn More

Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Ohio, including Delaware County.

Ohio Plumbing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines

Ohio Plumbing Code and Legislation

The state of Ohio regulates plumbing systems through the Ohio Plumbing Code (OPC), which is codified under Chapter 4101:3 of the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC). As of March 1, 2024, the state enforces the 2024 Ohio Plumbing Code, which incorporates the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) as its foundation, supplemented by specific Ohio amendments. These amendments are designed to address state-specific requirements, safety standards, and local environmental conditions.

Regulatory Agencies and Enforcement

The primary agency responsible for the formulation, adoption, and amendment of the Ohio Plumbing Code is the Ohio Board of Building Standards (BBS), which operates under the Ohio Department of Commerce. While the BBS sets the technical standards, enforcement is typically handled at the local level. Municipal, county, and township building departments are certified by the state to exercise enforcement authority, which includes conducting plan reviews, issuing permits, and performing inspections to ensure compliance with the code.

Additionally, the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) is responsible for the licensing of plumbing contractors, ensuring that those performing regulated work meet the necessary professional qualifications. For specific issues such as public water mains and sewer lines beyond a structure's service connection, jurisdiction may fall under the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) and local utility authorities.

Resources to Learn More

Select a City in Delaware County

If your project is located within incorporated city limits, you will likely need to follow municipal ordinances rather than county rules. Select your city below to view local regulations.

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