Looking for Building Permit and other related forms* Click here!           

To contact the Building Department, call 513-271-3315 or e-mail Building Commissioner Dennis Malone at dmalone@mariemont.org. The fax number is 513-271-1655.


The Building Department is located within the Administration Office on the second floor of the Municipal Building. It is charged with the responsibility of administering and enforcing the various zoning and building codes that regulate the design, construction and maintenance of buildings and their related equipment and to safeguard the health and welfare of the occupants and public. The Building Department also enforces the requirements of the Architectural Review Board.

The Building Department is staffed by the Building Commissioner, Dennis Malone and the Building Inspector, David Tensi. Both staff are certified by the State of Ohio Board of Building Standards.

The Village of Mariemont Building Department is NOT a part of the Hamilton County Building Department. 

The Building Department’s hours of operation are as follows:

Monday – Friday – Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Wednesday and Sunday:Closed

Appointment times can also be arranged


ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

When is a building permit required? In general, a building permit is required for any construction work, except for painting, interior decorating, planting and ordinary repairs costing under $500. Permits are required for window, roofing, siding replacements, satellite dish antennas, sidewalks and new driveways, etc.

What are the fees for permits? Refer to the Schedule of Building and Zoning Fees by clicking on the tab above. Generally fees are computed on the basis of floor area for construction projects or are set as a fixed amount where area is not a factor. Fees are NOT based on cost.

What codes are in effect in the Village of Mariemont? The International Building Code – 2006 Edition is applicable for all commercial work. The Residential Code of Ohio for 1-, 2-, and 3-Family Dwellings is applicable to residential work.

Is it necessary that plans be prepared by an Architect or Engineer? It is not required on residential projects (but highly recommended on complex projects). Commercial plans are required to be stamped, signed and sealed by an architect or engineer licensed in the State of Ohio.

What level of detail is necessary for plans submitted with the permit application? Please refer to Building Permit Supplement ‘A’ for a detailed list of required information. Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to provide complete and legible documents for review. The Building Department cannot, by law, function as a design/engineering resource.

How can I find out what zoning requirements may pertain to my property or proposed project? A copy of the Mariemont Zoning Code may be purchased from the Building Department for $15. Beginning January 2007, The Zoning Code will also be available on-line on the Village’s web site (mariemont.org). Xerox copies of individual pages can be provided in the Building for no charge.

How is a permit acquired? Permit application forms are available in the office of the Building Department, forms can be faxed, mailed, picked up and are available on-line. The applicant will submit to the Building Department 3 copies of required documents and the application form. Please note that in all cases, permits are issued in the name of the property owner of record – not the contractor.

What is the ‘turn around time’ for permit processing? Typically, plan reviews are completed in 2 working days and the applicant is a) notified that the permit can be picked up or b) modifications or corrections are required to the plans. Simple projects such as reroofing, patios, etc. can frequently be issued at the time of submission. All required fees are required to be paid prior to issuance of a permit.

Can the Building Department be contacted, prior to a permit application being submitted, for advice on zoning and building code matters? Absolutely! The Building Department is very amenable to discussing with residents, property owners, contractors and design professionals the various elements of the applicable codes and regulations that might pertain to a given project. The Building Department actively encourages applicants to initiate a dialogue early in the planning process in the hope that potentially expensive and frustrating mistakes can be avoided. Design professionals are also encouraged to contact the Building Department early in the planning process. Several guidelines are available that explain some of the more common concerns and requirements of the Village. These are available on-line by clicking on Building Permit Supplements listed above. The Building Department is totally committed to preserving the unique character of the Village while, at the same time, not imposing unnecessary obstacles to progress and modernization efforts.

What is the value of the plan review and resulting building permit? A number of benefits accrue to the property owners as a result of the permit and inspection process:

• Assurance that the requirements of the Mariemont zoning code are met, including setbacks, height and area limitation, fencing, signage, parking requirements (for commercial projects), and other regulations designed to preserve the unique character and property values of all residents.

• Assurance that the requirements of the Mariemont and Ohio Building Codes are met in order to provide residents with safe, sanitary and properly constructed and maintained homes and businesses.

• Assurance that any changes proposed to Historic District structures are reviewed and approved by the Architectural Review Board.

Does the plan review automatically guarantee that a permit will be issued? Not necessarily. Frequently additional information or corrections are required. Revised documents take precedence over new applications. 

Are there penalties for beginning construction before the required permit(s) are issued? Yes. Permit fees are doubled.

Are there appeals processes for rejections of zoning or building code compliance? Yes. In the event that a proposed improvement is not in conformance with Village regulations, the Building Commissioner is required to deny the application. The applicant can then appeal the matter to the Planning Commission who has the statutory authority to grant property variances where appropriate. Refer to the appeal form referenced above for detailed procedural requirements.

What information is available to property owners vis-à-vis past building activity?  Each property is recorded in the Building Department computerized database. The database is furnished to the Building Department from the Hamilton County Auditor’s database, which lists current owner, property ID number and other information associated with each parcel in the Village’s 6 taxing districts. This information if automatically updated quarterly to account for property transfers. Each property’s file also contains the past history of permits issued since the inception of the department in 1948. 

Who is notified about pending Architectural Review Board and Planning Commission hearings? The Building Department notifies abutting property owners, Village Council members, Board and Commission members, the Mayor, Eastern Hills Journal and Mariemont Preservation Foundation 5 days in advance of any scheduled hearing. Additionally, the hearings are posted on the Village web site, a sign is placed in the front yard of the affected property and the hearing notice is posted on 5 Village posting boards.

How are decisions made at the Hearings? By majority vote of board/commission members at the hearing. The Building Commissioner does not vote. Minutes of all proceedings are posted on the Village web site. An adverse decision can be appealed to Council where a 5/6 vote is required to overturn a negative decision.

Are ‘blue prints” available for all properties in the Village? Not necessarily. It is estimated that blue prints are on file in the Building Department for approximately ½ to ¾ of the construction projects for which permits have been issued. The Building Department will make every effort to provide past blue prints whenever possible on request. Many, but not all, site surveys are also on file and can be provided when requested if available. Please note that the location of property lines is the sole responsibility of the property owner – not the Building Department. Additionally, detailed engineering maps are maintained that locate underground utilities such as sanitary and storm sewers, water lines, electric distribution systems and telephone distribution lines.

Will the Building Department intervene in property disputes between abutting owners? No.

Does the Village of Mariemont have a property maintenance code? Yes. The Village requires all properties to be in compliance with the BOCA Property Maintenance Code, which establishes minimum standards for maintenance standards. Properties that are found to be in non-compliance are issued a formal Zoning Violation with a time frame for compliance. The Building Department endeavors to establish a reasonable time frame for compliance, taking into account the cost of effecting the required repairs.

Are there other permits and inspections that are performed by the Village of Mariemont? Yes. Permits are required for the removal of trees in excess of 12” at chest height; Rental property inspections (3 year interval when occupancy changes); temporary information signs as approved by the Mayor. The cost for rental permits and tree removal permits is $25. There is no charge for temporary signage permits.

Are there other permits and inspections required that are not performed by the Village of Mariemont? Yes. Separate permits and inspections are required for all electrical and plumbing work. The Village of Mariemont has contracted with the Inspection Bureau Incorporated, located at 250 W. Count Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 to issue permits and inspect electric work. A fee must be paid to IBI for the permit and inspections. You may call 381-6080 to get fee information and schedule an inspection. Separate permits are also required for plumbing work. Contact the Plumbing division of the Hamilton County Board of Health, 250 William Howard Taft Road, Cincinnati, OH 45219. Call 513-946-7852. Final inspections by these 2 agencies must be successfully completed before the Village of Mariemont can issue the final Certificate of Occupancy/Use.

How are building inspections made and who schedules inspections? The Village Building Inspector conducts inspections after being notified by the contractor or resident that the work being done is ready for inspection. Requests for inspections need to be made 24 hours in advance by calling 271-3246. Detailed instructions are included in Building Permit Supplement ‘A’ listed above.

Are there any special regulations of permit requirements if my property is in a Historic Architectural District? Yes. Before any exterior changes can be made to a property in the Historic District, the Architectural Review Board must approve the plans. The ‘ARB’ was established in 1984 by Village Ordinance to review proposed construction, alterations and additions and to review proposed repairs to fences, signs and other exterior construction and to review colors of approved painting and roof work within each historic district. The issuance of a Certificate of Appropriateness by the ‘ARB’ is required before any work commences.

How are projects closed out? After the final inspections are successfully completed, the Building Department issues a ‘Certificate of Occupancy/Completion’ which is documentation that all regulations have been met. To expedite occupancy, a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for a fee of $50.00 that lists minor incomplete items that do affect safety of occupants.