City of Columbus: General FAQ Page

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General FAQ's

General FAQ Page

How do I get to your Office?

What are your office hours?

What is the status of my permit?

I have several questions that require detailed information, what can I do?

What is the best source of information about your office?

Where do I submit an application for a "rebuild or zoning confirmation letter"?

Your web site does not have the information I need... what do I do?

Where can I purchase a copy of the Columbus Zoning Code?

When do I need a new Certified Address?

How do I obtain a new Certified Address?

Why do I need Flood Insurance?

How do I cancel my Flood Insurance?

Where do I find my Flood Zone designation?

What is a RES-check?

Can my neighbor have a garage sale every weekend?

Can I cut down trees between the sidewalk and street?

Do I need a permit to build a concrete or paver patio in my rear yard?

Who do I make checks out to for permits?

What is the status of the rezoning case in my neighborhood?

Who is on my Area Commission?

I have a permit but cannot finish the work now. Can I get an extension?

What are your office hours? The Building Services Division is open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday though Friday.

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I have several questions that require detailed information, what can I do? Come to our offices at 757 Carolyn Avenue to consult with specialists at the Customer Service Center. The Center is open weekdays from 8 am to 4 pm with the exception of Wednesday when the Center does not open until 12 noon. For additional questions please call the customer information line at 645-7314.

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What is the best source of information about your office? The Building Services One-Stop Shop web site is the best source of up-to-date information and time saving forms that can be filled out in advance, as well as access to checking the zoning of your property and the status of your permits.

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Where do I submit an application for a "rebuild or zoning confirmation letter? Information regarding such letters can be found on the Zoning Confirmation web page.

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Your web site does not have the information I need... what do I do? We strive to provide as much information as accurately as possible through our One-Stop Shop web site, but this is not always possible. For additional information please call our information line at (614) 645-7314 or you can visit our customer service center at 757 Carolyn Avenue.

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Where can I purchase a copy of the Columbus Zoning Code? All city codes, including the Columbus Zoning Code, are available on line from Book Publishing Corporation. As we no longer stock or sell copies of the Columbus Zoning Code, you must contact Book Publishing at 1-866-501-5155 in order to purchase a printed version.

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When do I need a new Certified Address? A new certified address is required in order to obtain a building, mechanical, or graphics permit in any of the following situations:
New construction
Lot splits, rezoning, zoning variances
Division of an existing single space into two or more tenant spaces or dwelling units
Temporary signs
Billboards
Grade and fill plans or other non-structure related development
Any work on properties newly annexed into the City of Columbus
There may be other instances where a new certified address will be necessary, but in general, a new certified address is required only when an address cannot be verified by existing BSD records.

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How do I obtain a new Certified Address? A new certified address can only be obtained by calling the Engineering and Construction division at (614) 645-1728, by fax at (614) 645-1876, or by email at ecgis@columbus.gov.

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Why do I need Flood Insurance?

FLOOD INSURANCE IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) "ASK THE EXPERT" page.

To get secured financing to buy, build, or improve structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA's) you will be required to purchase flood insurance. Lending institutions that are federally regulated or federally insured must determine if the structure is

located in a SFHA and must provide written notice requiring flood insurance.

Flood insurance is available to any property owner located in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The City of Columbus is a participating community in the NFIP. All areas may be susceptible to flooding, although to varying degrees, in fact, 25% of all flood claims occur in the low-to-moderate risk areas. Flooding can be caused by heavy rains, melting snow, by inadequate drainage systems, failed protective devices such as levees and dams, as well as by tropical storms and hurricanes.

There's a big difference between having to buy flood insurance because the law says you must and choosing to buy flood coverage because it's in your best interests to do so. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that all property owners purchase and keep flood insurance because it is the best means of recovery from flood damage.

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How do I cancel my Flood Insurance?
FLOOD INSURANCE IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) "ASK THE EXPERT" page.

If a property is no longer in a SFHA, you may begin the process to have flood insurance requirements removed. Contact your insurance agent and lender to inquire about their procedures for canceling a flood insurance policy. Once you have verification that a property is outside a SFHA, you need to work with your insurance agent and lender to submit the necessary forms to FEMA. Completion and submission to FEMA of Form 81-17 is required to cancel flood insurance on a property. For more information on canceling a flood insurance policy, visit www.fema.gov/fima.

Effective March 16, 2004, new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) will become effective for different portions of the City of Columbus, particularly the area of the city known as "Franklinton". While the City of Columbus administers a flood plain
development code for the FEMA, the Building Services division is not empowered to rule on whether or not a parcel of land is located within a special flood hazard area (SFHA). For an official determination of a flood zone designation, you may contact
either an Ohio-registered land surveyor, engineer, or architect. A copy of the new FIRM maps can be viewed at the Building Services Division located at 757 Carolyn Avenue. See General Department Information for the hours of operation.

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Where do I find my flood zone designation? Unofficial flood zone designations can be found on the One Stop Shop Zoning Report for a property using the city’s Digital Zoning Map. A flood designation of “X” means you are not in an identified special flood hazard area.

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What is the RES-check? The “RES-check” is a federal requirement for all new heated residential additions and new home construction to ensure that a structure does not waste energy through poor construction or low quality products. The RES-check can be downloaded free of charge at www.energycodes.gov. Your heated addition or new home must have an “Acceptable” rating in order to receive a building permit.

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Can my neighbor have a garage sale every weekend? No, residential properties are not allowed to conduct more than two (2) garage sales a year. Each “sale” can last no more than four (4) consecutive days.

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Can I cut down trees between the sidewalk and street? Trees located in the tree lawn between the sidewalk and street pavement are in the right-of-way controlled by the city. You must contact the city forester prior to altering any tree in a tree lawn.

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Do I need a permit to build a concrete or paver patio in my rear yard? A building permit is not required to install or construct a concrete or paver patio in your yard. However, please note that cars, boats, and trailers cannot be stored or parked on these surfaces without prior city approval.

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Who do I make checks out to for permits? All checks and money orders for payment should be made payable to the Columbus City Treasurer.

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What is the status of the rezoning case in my neighborhood? To check on the status of a current pending rezoning case, call (614) 645-4522. In the future, you will be able to retrieve this information on-line.

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Who is on my area commission? For information on an area commission, contact your neighborhood liaison.

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I have a permit but cannot finish the work now. Can I get an extension? Permit holders can request either a six (6) month or twelve (12) month extension to a permit depending on the status of the project by submitting a request and paying an additional fee. Contact (614) 645-7314 or osscomments @columbus.gov for more information on this process. **You must request the extension at least ten (10) calendar days prior to its expiration.

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