Do I Need a Permit?

Residential Construction

Residential Construction Page

City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

• New homes
• Additions
• Detached garages
• Ramps and stairs
• Sheds
• Decks – not maintenance of limited number of items.
• Patios
• Interior remodeling involving any walls
• Basement remodeling involving any walls
• Attic remodeling
• Structural changes
• Any new walls
• Demolition of any walls
• Fire damage repair
• Fences
• Swimming pools
• Driveway extensions or additions
• Signs
• Upgrading/new electrical work such ase panel upgrades, meter base, electrical wiring.

• Window and door replacement – egress windows must maintain required size
• Minor repairs – new/replacement of floor finishes, wall finishes, trim, painting, cabinetry, drywall repair
• Replacement of electrical switches and receptacles
• Replacement of same type light fixtures
• Faucet replacement and minor plumbing repairs – more than one plumbing fixture replacement requires permit.
• Driveway replacement
• Brick Restoration
• Gutter replacement
• Exterior painting or siding, trim replacement
• Playground equipment
• Low voltage wiring

(replacement of existing only, does not apply if the driveway is being enlarged)

Retaining walls may not need a building permit. Contact building official to review.

Site retaining walls will require zoning review.

RCO 202:Minor Repairs. The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing building for the purpose of its maintenance when the work has limited impact on access, safety or health. Minor repairs do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portions of walls, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support, or the removal or change of any required element of accessibility, means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements. Minor repairs do not include addition to, alteration of, replacement or relocation of any standpipe, water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety. 

Contact building department for clarification – this is not a comprehensive list

Commercial Construction

Commercial Construction Page
City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

• New buildings
• Additions
• Interior alterations
• Demolition
• Tenant improvements
• Door hardware
• Ramps, stairs, handrails, guardrails
• Load-bearing walls
• Non-load-bearing walls or partitions
• Fire-rated assemblies
• Canopies, awnings
• Change of occupancy (a change in the purpose or level of activity that involves a change in the application of code requirements)
• Change in the Use Group classification for all or part of the building; Certificate of Occupancy

Note: These applications include review of all trades. Each trade will be issued permits based on approved drawings. Submit a complete package with all drawings from each trade. Sub trades may not be differed submittals other than fire.

The following commercial construction projects do not require a permit:

• Repair or replacement of finishes (carpet, tile, paint etc.)
• Glass repair
• Roof replacement – contact Sr. Inspector or Building official to discuss
• Other routine building maintenance or repair

Requires a zoning permit only:

• Fences, accessory structures less than 200 sq. ft.
• Tents over 120 sq. ft.
• Siding Replacement

Related Construction: Mechanical

Related Construction Page
City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

• New, replacement or alteration of
  • mechanical systems
  • mechanical equipment
  • furnaces, condensers, boilers, roof-top units, combination units, etc., exhaust fans, hoods, make-up air units, wood stoves,
    fireplaces
  • controls
  • smoke detection dampers, vent dampers on flue pipes, flue liners
  • ductwork, distribution devices
  • VAV boxes, reheat units
  • alterations to existing systems
  • minor ductwork extensions

Note: If project contains work by any other trades (ie structure / electrical work) submit as a structural permit. An HVAC permit will be issued based on those approved drawings. These may not differed submittals.

• Replacement of any part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe
• Routine maintenance
• Other portable HVAC
• Dedicated gas piping to and part of heating systems of less than 150,000 BTUs per hour, per input system
• Process equipment and associated piping; glycol-based water piping systems
• Portable evaporative coolers

Related Construction: Electrical

Related Construction Page
City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

Does not require a permit

• New installation, replacement or alteration of:

• • any electrical system
  • equipment or component that is regulated by the
• National Electric Code such as
  • new electrical service, service changes
  • wiring, replacement wiring, removals
  • CT boxes, electrical panels, meters
  • new fixtures, electrical boxes
  • lighted signs
  • hard-wired electrical smoke detectors
  • hot tubs, permanent swimming pools

Note: If project contains work by any other trades (ie walls) submit as a structural permit. An electrical permit will be issued based on those approved drawings. These may not differed submittals.

• Replacement of outlets and switches
• Lamps, minor repair work
• Electrical wiring devices or appliances at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy, unless specifically addressed by the code
• Process equipment and associated wiring on the load side of the power disconnect to the equipment

Related Construction: Plumbing

Related Construction Page
City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

• • New installation, replacement or alteration of:
  • water supply piping
  • sanitary drain piping, traps
  • vent piping
  • valves, backflow prevention, other safety devices and fixtures regulated by the Ohio Plumbing Code
  • Fixtures include: water closets (toilets), urinals, sinks, dishwashers, water heaters, water softeners and filters

Note: If project contains work by any other trades (ie walls) submit as a structural permit. A plumbing permit will be issued based on those approved drawings. These may not differed submittals.

• Repair of leaks or clearance of stoppages (Note: replacement of any fixture including water closets, piping or valves associated with such repairs requires a permit)
• Faucet replacement
• Process equipment and associated piping

 Related Construction: Gas

Related Construction Page
City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

• fuel gas systems
• storage
• piping
• meters
• valves or other controls
• safety devices, etc.

Note: If project contains work by any other trades (ie walls) submit as a structural permit. An gas permit will be issued based on those approved drawings. These may not differed submittals.

• Portable heating appliance
• Replacement of any part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe
• Dedicated gas piping to and part of heating systems of less than 150,000 BTUs per hour, per input system

Related Construction: Fire Protection Systems

Related Construction Page
City of Kettering Permit Forms and Fees

Requires a permit

• New sprinkler installation
• Replacement or alteration of sprinkler systems, “arm-overs”
• Other fire suppression systems
• New fire alarm systems
• Fire alarm modifications
• Alarm panel replacement
• Adding/removing alarm devices

Note: If project contains work by any other trades (ie walls) submit as a structural permit. A fire permit will be issued based on those approved drawings.  These may be differed submittals.

• System repairs
• Testing and maintenance