BZS News

The Department of Building and Zoning Services is now offering online submission of rezoning applications through the Citizen Access Portal.

Review the following “How-To” guide:  https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/building-and-zoning/document-library/how-to-guide-online-rezoning-application.pdf

Contact zoninginfo@columbus.gov with any questions, and include “Online Rezoning Application” in the subject line.

The Department of Building and Zoning Services is pleased and excited to partner with Fort Hayes Career Center. The goal of the partnership is to create opportunities for students entering the construction trades field. The students are exposed to trained professionals who previously worked in the industry and are now certified inspectors. 

BZS offers a variety of activities throughout the school year and summer to ensure students understand the function of the department and the possibility of future employment with the department.

 Activities include:

• "BZS Day”:  Inspectors spend the day at Fort Hayes with the students and teachers
• Shadow Days-groups of students spend the day at BZS to learn and understand the department
• Internship-First ever program for skilled trades students at BZS. Students spend the summer learning about their prospective disciplines with certified building inspectors.
•  Mentors-Offers students and teachers direct access to inspectors in all skilled trades
• Trainee program-program approved by Ohio Board of Building Standards to hire two Ft. Hayes High School graduates for a paid trainee program. The trainees will spend a year learning and understanding building codes to become a certified building inspector.

Building & Zoning Services Inspection Results Now Fully Digital – June 1st

BZS has transitioned to a fully digital system for inspection results and tracking. As a result:

• Inspection sign-off sheets will no longer be included as the second page of building permits.
• All inspection results are still available through the Citizen Access Portal.
• Inspection reports provide inspection details for all related permits, can also be accessed through the portal (see below).

For permits issued before June 1:
You may continue using the paper sign-off sheet or adopt a hybrid approach. Please coordinate with your inspector to determine the best method for your project.
To access an inspection report:

1. Go to the Citizen Access Portal.
2. In the Building section on the Home page, click "Search Applications and Permits."
3. Enter your building permit number and click Search.
4. Once your permit details appear, click the red "Reports" button in the top right corner.
5. Select your inspection report. You may view the full report or narrow results by date range.

For questions, contact the Building Inspection Manager at 614-645-8445 or dldaniel@columbus.gov.

Water Service Line Inspections

Effective August 28, 2024 all inspections for water service lines and appurtenances, both domestic and fire will be performed by Building and Zoning Services (BZS) from the point of the meter to the water distribution system of the building(s) served. To ensure a smooth transition, the following procedure will be implemented:

•  Plan review and approval will continue to be reviewed by Public Utilities and site compliance where a water service plan approval number will be issued.

• A Water Service Installation permit will be required for the inspection and issued by (BZS). The permit may be issued at the (BZS) customer service counter Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm or on-line using the Citizen Access portal. In both cases the Water Service Plan number is required. Permits will only be issued to registered contractors approved for this work.

•  Inspections may be scheduled on-line up to midnight using the Citizen Access Portal for next business day inspections. It is suggested to provide the site contact information when scheduling an inspection. The approved water service plan will be required at the time of inspection.

• Permits are issued with two inspection trips with a maximum of one hour per trip of inspection time. Additional time may be granted but will require an additional inspection trip. Additional inspection trips may be purchased as needed. The fee schedule can be found here

All questions concerning this document or water service inspections should be sent to plumbinginfo@columbus.gov.

Ground broken on Habitat for Humanity home to be built by Fort Hayes career center students in partnership with the City of Columbus

Swinging hammers, raising walls and building for the future—Fort Hayes Career Center Construction Trades students will do something no class has done in more than three decades: constructing a home from the ground up. The student-built Leonard Avenue home will then go to a Columbus family thanks to a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity MidOhio and the City of Columbus.

This project is giving students real-world, hands-on experience in not only how a house comes together, but also the industry and regulations behind building homes.  Helping students learn and find pathways to regionally important careers are important goals to Mayor Andrew Ginther, City Council President Shannon Hardin, Superintendent Angela Chapman, BZS Director Scott Messer and Habitat President, CEO Brandi  Al-Issa, joined students as they recently broke ground for the new house at 893 Old Leonard Avenue, near the schools’ campus.

A second student-built Habitat house is planned for 2026, near the new house.  Both houses are being constructed on City Land Bank lots.  The two new homes will contribute to the on-going revitalization efforts in the eastside neighborhood.

 Last fall, Habitat joined the City of Columbus Department of Building and Zoning Services and Fort Hayes partnership to provide students with this hands-on homebuilding and construction experience. What began in 2023 as a summer internship program, the partnership has grown to include interactive career and shadow days, internships, mentorships, and an apprenticeship for students to consider becoming building inspectors.  The work-based learning experience will introduce students to Habitat and its efforts to revitalize neighborhoods and to increase affordable homeownership opportunities.

All questions concerning this change may be forwarded to BZSInspectionManager@columbus.gov