Work Exempt From Approval

Below is a list of residential and non-residential types of projects that are exempt from requiring approval. Keep in mind that although exempt from approval, by the Building Codes adopted by the City of Groveport, a Certificate of Zoning Compliance or other City required permit may still be required to be obtained for these types of projects.

Please contact the Building Department at 614-830-2045, to verify if a Certificate of Zoning Compliance or other City permit is required for your project.

Residential work exempt from building permit approval (might require zoning approval)
Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed two hundred square feet (11.15 m2) and playground structures (requires zoning approval).
2. Fences not over six feet (1829 mm) high (requires zoning approval).
3. Retaining walls which are not over four feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge.
4. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
5. Sidewalks and driveways not more than thirty inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route.
6. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
7. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one, two, or three family dwelling.
8. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than fifty-four inches (1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
9. Decks not exceeding 200 square feet (18.58 m2 )in area, that are not more than 30 inches (762mm) above grade at any point, are not attached to a dwelling, and do not serve the exit door required by section 311.2  (requires zoning approval). 
10. Above-ground storage tanks as defined in rule 4101:8-2-01 of the Administrative Code and the associated tank foundations.

Electrical:
1. Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets thereof.
3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity and type in the same location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy.
5. Repairs and Maintenance: Approval shall not be required for minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the         connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.

Gas:
1. Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances;
2. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
4. Gas distribution piping owned and maintained by public or municipal utilities and located upstream of the point of delivery.

Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliances;
2. Portable ventilation equipment;
3. Portable cooling units;
4. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
6. Portable evaporative cooler.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing ten pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or that are actuated by motors of one horsepower (746W) or less.
8. Portable fuel cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid.
9. Heating and cooling distribution piping owned and maintained by public or municipal utilities.

Plumbing:
1. The repair of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain-pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and an approval shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearance of stoppages or the repair of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
Emergency repairs.
Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, an application for approval shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.
Minor repairs.
Minor repairs to structures may be to residential structures made without application or notice to the residential building official. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs 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.

Non-Residential work exempt from approval.

(Includes 4 or more family residential structures)
Building:
1. One-story detached accessory structures used as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the floor area does not exceed one hundred twenty square feet (11.15 m2) and playground structures.
2. Fences not over six feet (1829 mm) high.
3. Oil derricks.
4. Retaining walls which are not over four feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III-A liquids.
5. Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed five thousand gallons (18 927 L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed two to one.
6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than thirty inches (762 mm) above grade and not over any basement or story below and which are not part of an accessible route.
7. Finishes not regulated by this code, decorating, or other work defined as maintenance or minor repair.
8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery.
9. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall of Group R-3.
10. Tents and membrane structures exempted in section 3102.1.1.
11. Above-ground storage tanks as defined in rule 4101:1-2-01 of the Administrative Code and the associated tank foundations.

Electrical:
1. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
2. Electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions except equipment and wiring for power supply, and the installations of towers and antennas.
3. The installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than twenty-five volts and not capable of supplying more than fifty watts of energy, unless specifically addressed in this code.
5. Process equipment and the associated wiring on the load side of the power disconnect to the equipment.

Gas:
1. Portable heating appliances;
2. Replacement of any part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe.
3. Gas distribution piping owned and maintained by public or municipal utilities and located upstream of the point of delivery.
4. Process equipment, including the associated tanks, foundations, and process piping. For combination building services/process or power piping systems, the power or process piping located downstream of the control valve which separates the process from the building services piping is exempt from approval.

Mechanical:
1. Portable heating appliances;
2. Portable ventilation equipment;
3. Portable cooling units;
4. Replacement of any part which does not alter its approval or make it unsafe;
5. Portable evaporative cooler;
6. Process equipment, including the associated tanks, foundations, and process piping. For combination building services/process or power piping systems, the power or process piping located downstream of the control valve which separates the process from the building services piping is exempt from approval.
7. Heating and cooling distribution piping installed and maintained by public or municipal utilities.

Plumbing:
1. The repair of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if any concealed trap, drain-pipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the same with new material, such work shall be considered as new work and an approval shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in this code.
2. The clearance of stoppages or the repair of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes or fixtures.
3. Process equipment, including the associated tanks, foundations, and process piping. For combination building                           services/process or power piping systems, the power or process piping located downstream of the control valve which                   separates the process from the building services piping is exempt from approval.
Emergency repairs.
Where equipment replacements and repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, an application for approval shall be submitted within the next working business day to the building official.
Minor repairs.
Minor repairs to structures may be made without application or notice to the building official. Such repairs shall not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements; nor shall ordinary repairs 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.