BZS UPDATE: Please Read Carefully

 

To all of our customers, 

Due to the continuing COVID-19 situation BZS will be modifying some of our services and activities to limit our staff’s and customers’ potential exposure. With that in mind please read the information below carefully

We have had customers trying to email applications in that cannot be accepted by email.  If this happens, due to limited staff availability your application will likely be delayed.

Per the COVID-19 Governor’s Emergency Order, Click here to determine your space’s maximum capacity.

To begin the process to expand patio seating for restaurants and bars Click Here. 

The following services and activities have been modified to protect our staff and customers:

• The permit intake counter, at 111 N. Front St., will be closed to in-person customers until further notice.

• New building permits can be shipped by US Mail, UPS, FedEx or other courier service to our office (FYI, no receipt signature is available) 

• New site plans can only be shipped by US Mail, UPS, FedEx or other courier service to our office (FYI, no receipt signature is available), or submitted online through the “Citizen Access Portal”
• All inspections for occupied residential buildings will be conducted virtually in coordination with BZS inspectors and the customer using one of several available live media streaming options.  This change will be in effect until Dec 18, 2020.
• Replacement furnace and water heater inspections are suspended until December 18, 2020 due to the COVID 19 stay at home orders.  The inspections will be rescheduled once BZS inspectors are able to enter occupied residential buildings. . 

Meetings for the following boards and commissions will be held by WebEx teleconferencing for the foreseeable future.  To join a particular board or commission meeting click on the board or commission link below and open up that month’s agenda for instructions. You can also monitor any board or commission meeting by going to the city of Columbus YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/cityofcolumbus

•    Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA)
•    Columbus Building Commission
•    Development Commission
•    General and Home Improvement Contractors Board
•    Graphics Commission
•    Sign Erectors Board
•    Skilled Trades Review Board

 

• Zoning applications can be emailed to zoninginfo@columbus.gov
  - Variance and rezoning applications may be submitted by email and will be processed.

• No BZS licenses or registrations will expire during this time  

   

The following services and activities remain open and available:

• All online services, including building permits, Final Site Compliance Plans, scheduling inspections, and inspection trip purchases
• All permit inspection services
• All inspections for occupied residential buildings will be conducted virtually in coordination with BZS inspectors and the customer using one of several available live media streaming options.  This change will be in effect until Dec 18, 2020.

•   Inspections can be scheduled online by clicking the “Citizen Access Portal” button or by phone at (614) 645-8235
•   An inspection supervisor will contact the applicant to determine how the inspection can move forward.

 

Thank you for your understanding and patience during these unprecedented times.

Scott Messer

Director

 

Building A Better City

The Department of Building and Zoning Services supports the safety and quality of life for City of Columbus residents and visitors alike.

The processes of plan reviews, permitting, inspections, zoning and engineering ensures proper land development and promotes high-quality design standards through the enforcement of state and local building and zoning codes.

We've organized this site into the following sections to help you quickly find information and resources that are relevant to your project or line of work.

To view and download the fee schedule visit Columbus.gov/bzsdocs

 

Thank you to everyone who attended our 2020 Winter School! To download a PDF of the Powerpoint Slides, please click here. Individual FSCP flow charts can be found in the Training and Documentation section of our Document Library.