Planning Frequently Asked Questions
Permit FAQ
Where do I get my building permit?
The City of Beavercreek issues zoning permits and building permits are issued by Greene County Building Department (937-562-7420).
What Does a Zoning Permit Cost?
Residential and Commercial Permits
May fences be placed on the property line?
Fences are allowed to be placed up to the property line, but cannot cross the property line.
What type of permit do I need for a garage?
If it is detached, an accessory structure permit is required. If it is attached, a residential zoning permit is required.
Can I build a garage and then a home?
No. Detached garages are accessory structures. The home must be built first.
Do I need a permit to install a patio?
No, if it is poured concrete or brick pavers at grade.
Do I need a permit to replace a fence, shed, deck, or pool?
Yes, replacing existing structures does require a new zoning permit.
Do I need a permit to have a business in my home?
No. Refer to the standards for a Home Occupation in the Zoning Code.
What do I need to start a new business in an existing commercial building?
You will need a Certificate of Use Compliance from Beavercreek and the Greene County Building Department will issue an Occupancy Permit.
Do I need a permit to have a garage or yard sale?
No. Signs may only be placed on private property.
Do I need a permit to construct a handicapped ramp?
Yes. A residential zoning permit is required, but no fee is charged.
What do I need to get a permanent sign?
Signs are regulated by number of signs, height, square footage of the sign face, total square footage, and location. Submit a copy of a site plan (for ground signs only) and a drawing of the sign (to measurable scale) to indicate sign height and face, along with a completed application form.
What are the restrictions on temporary ground signs?
A commercial establishment can choose from one of the following two options per calendar year for a temporary ground sign or for an A-frame sign:
- Two Temporary Sign permits per calendar year for a maximum of 15 continuous days. There must also be a period of 30 days between each sign placement.
- One temporary sign each calendar year for a period of 30 continuous days.
For political signs, click here.
What Kind of Permit Do I Need?
|
If you want to |
Then you need a |
| Construct a new house | Residential Zoning Permit |
| Construct or alter a residential addition | Residential Zoning Permit |
| Construct or alter a residential deck | Residential Zoning Permit |
| Install or alter a swimming pool | Swimming Pool Permit |
| Construct or alter an accessory structure (i.e. shed) | Accessory Structure Permit |
| Install a propane tank | Accessory Structure Permit |
| Install or replace a fence or retaining wall | Fence Permit |
| Remodel the interior of a house or comm. building | Interior Remodeling Permit |
| Occupy a commercial building | Certificate of Use Compliance |
| Install or alter / replace a sign | Sign Permit |
| Temporary or outdoor sales | Outdoor Sales / Temporary Sales |
| Demolish a building over 1000 sq. ft. | Demolition Permit |
Permit Description
Residental Zoning Permit
A residential zoning permit is required for all new residential construction, additions, decks, awnings, patio enclosures or replacements. To receive a residential zoning permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with one set of architectural drawings (including elevations) and three copies of a site plan drawn to engineering scale (i.e. 1 inch = 30 feet) and the application fee. Typically the application will be reviewed in one or two business days and you will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved or if additional information is needed.
Accessory Structure Permit
An accessory structure permit is required prior to constructing, replacing, expanding or moving any detached structure (e.g. shed, detached garage, gazebo). To receive an accessory structure permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with the application fee. The permit must show all existing and proposed accessory structures. If the accessory structure exceeds 200 square feet, a full set of construction drawings along with three copies of a site plan drawn to engineering scale (i.e. 1 inch - 30 feet) are required. The information given on this application should be in compliance with the requirements of §158.104 of the Zoning Code as summarized below.
- Detached garages may not be located nearer the front property line than the main dwelling. Detached accessory structures are not permitted in the front yard or the required side yard.
- May not exceed sixteen feet in height.
- All detached accessory structures over 200 square feet require a Greene County building permit (562-7420).
- Typically the application will be reviewed in one or two business days and you will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved or if additional information is needed.
Fence Permit
A fence permit is required when erecting or replacing a fence or retaining wall. To receive a fence permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with the application fee. The information given on this application should be in compliance with the requirements of §158.105 of the Zoning Code as summarized below.
- Front yard: The maximum height of the fence cannot exceed 42 inches. The fence must not be located in any right-of-way and cannot interfere with the visibility from driveways or intersections. The use of chain-link, wire or cyclone fencing or similar appurtenances is prohibited. Split-rail fences with welded wire backing are permitted.
- Side and rear yard: The maximum height of the fence cannot exceed 6 feet except the maximum height for fences around tennis courts cannot exceed 10 feet.
- General Requirements - - Electric, barbed wire, snow fences or other temporary fences are prohibited in all residential districts.
- Security fences (maximum 8 feet high) are permitted in business and commercial districts.
Swimming Pool Permit
A permit for a swimming pool is required when installing or replacing any above-ground or in-ground pool. To receive a zoning permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with the application fee. The information given on this application must be in compliance with the requirements of §158.121 of the Zoning Code. Typically the application will be reviewed in one or two business days and you will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved. Swimming pools also require a permit from Greene County Building Department (562-7420).
Interior Remodeling Permit
An interior remodeling permit is required prior to any interior alterations to a building. Interior alterations must not change the building size or square footage and cannot include any new building construction. To receive a remodeling permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning & Zoning Department along with the application fee. Typically the application will be reviewed in one or two business days and you will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved.
Commercial / Industrial Zoning Permit
A commercial/industrial zoning permit is required prior to erecting, adding to, moving or altering the size of any commercial or industrial building. To receive a commercial/ industrial zoning permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with one full set of construction drawings, a landscape plan (if required) and three copies of a site plan drawn to engineering scale (i.e. 1 inch = 30 feet) along with the application fee. You will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved or if additional information is required.
Sign Permit
A sign permit is required prior to erecting, altering or relocating a sign. To receive a sign permit, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with three copies of a drawing, sketch or photo of the sign indicating the sign dimensions as well as three copies of a drawing showing the location of the proposed and existing signs on the site or building, all drawn to scale. Typically the application will be reviewed in one or two business days and you will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved or if additional information is needed.
Certificate of Use Compliance
A Certificate of Use Compliance is required prior to the occupancy of a new commercial or industrial building, or the re-occupancy of an existing commercial or industrial building. To receive a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, an application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with the application fee. Typically the application will be reviewed in one to two business days and you will be notified by telephone when the application has been approved or if additional information is needed. A Greene County Occupancy Permit is also required (562-7420).
Demolition Permit
A demolition Permit is required prior to the demolition of a building with a total square footage in excess of 1,000 square feet. A demolition permit application must be completed in full and submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department along with a site plan that shows the location of the structure(s) to be demolished. There is currently no charge for this permit. See §158.131 for more details.
Inspections
What do I need to do when I am ready for an inspection?
Call the Planning and Zoning Department 24 hours prior to schedule the inspection.
Who does inspections for sidewalks and driveways?
The City of Beavercreek Engineering Department (427-5513) inspects all sidewalks, driveways and roads.
Complaints
Where should complaints be directed?
The Planning Department has enforcement authority for zoning and property maintenance issues. Drainage, street, sidewalk and similar issues are handled by the Engineering Department. Building construction issues are regulated by the Greene County Building Regulations Department.
Are there restrictions on the number of cars parked on a residential lot?
We do not restrict the number of cars allowed on the lot as long as they are parked on a driveway or parking area. See §158.118 for more details.
Can anything be done if my neighbor’s grass is too high?
If the grass is10 inches or higher, a complaint can be made by calling the Planning and Zoning Department.
What is the process for cutting grass which is too high?
First the inspector from the Planning and Zoning Department will verify the grass exceeds 10 inches. Notice is posted on the property giving the owner 5 days to mow. After the 5 days, the inspector re-inspects the property and if the grass still exceeds 10 inches, a contractor is sent in to mow the property and the property owner will be billed for the expense.
What are the City’s regulations on Junk Vehicles?
Click here.
Animal Codes
Are there any zoning code regulations concerning animals?
Farm animals may only be kept on property located in an agricultural (A-1) district. There are no city restrictions on the number of domestic animals which may be kept, except when the owner of such animals is breeding them for commercial purposes.
Land Subdividing
What do I need to do to subdivide my land?
Any proposal to create a new buildable lot must be approved as a subdivision by the Planning Commission. Contact the Planning Department for application materials and requirements.
General
What is the difference between parcel number and lot number?
Parcel numbers are assigned by the County Auditor and lot numbers are assigned by the developer of the project. Every piece of property has a parcel number, but only property within a platted subdivision has a lot number.
How far from the center of the road is the front property line?
Typically, but not in all cases, the front property line is 25 feet from the centerline on a subdivision road. It may be larger on major roads such as Dayton-Xenia, Fairfield, etc.
How do I find my property lines?
Property pins (typically a 36 inch long metal rod) are placed at the corners of a lot. These pins are usually at or below grade and sometimes can be found using a metal or magnetic detector or contact a surveying company. Your exact lot dimensions can be found on the Greene County Web site.
Issues not regulated by the City of Beavercreek
Where do I get a Vendor’s permit?
Contact the Greene County Auditor’s Office (562-5065).
May I burn materials on my lot?
Consult the following Open Burn Guideline as published by the Beavercreek Township Fire Department.
Who controls public water and sewer?
For information on the public water and sewer serving Beavercreek, contact the Greene County Sanitary Engineering office (562-7450)
Where do I find information about an underground fuel or oil tank?
Contact the Beavercreek Township Fire Department (426-1627) for information on the removal of buried tanks.
Who do I contact about property taxes?
The Greene County Auditor’s office (562-5065).
Who deals with neighborhood covenants?
The Planning and Zoning Department has no ability to enforce private covenants. The neighborhood Homeowners Associations are the entities that control and enforce the private covenants and restrictions in a neighborhood.
If you have any questions, a staff member in the Planning and Zoning Department is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5:00 p.m (427-5512).
planning@ci.beavercreek.oh.us