Marion, OH Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Marion's zoning code treats the building permit and the zoning permit as one document. Section 1123.01 defines PERMIT, BUILDING as officially a zoning permit that authorizes the construction or alteration of buildings or structures, and it says the term zoning permit can be substituted to avoid confusion with a building permit pursuant to electrical, plumbing and building material standards. The trigger is § 1177.01: no owner, contractor or agent proceeds to erect or construct any building, structure or addition or improvement thereto, where the change will affect or require conformance with a provision or standard of the zoning code, without first obtaining a permit under § 1177.02.

Under § 1177.02(A), the application carries plans in duplicate, drawn to scale in black line or blueprint, showing the actual shape and dimensions of the lot, the exact location, size and height of the building, its existing and intended use and the number of families or housekeeping units it is designed to accommodate. The Safety/Service Director approves the plans, returns one copy to the owner with the permit and can require lot dimensions based on an actual survey. Section 1177.02(B) refuses a permit unless the plans, specifications and intended use conform to the zoning code and all other applicable laws and regulations.

Under § 1177.03, a permit expires if work has not begun within 180 days of issuance or is not substantially completed within two years, and the Director cancels it with written notice. When the work ends, § 1179.02 has the holder notify the Director, who grants a use permit if the work matches the application.

Moving a building is a separate permit. Section 1345.01 requires a written permit from the Safety/Service Director before any building of any size moves over streets, alleys or public places, with a $10 fee under § 1345.02, a $100 escort deposit under § 1345.03 and liability insurance of not less than $100,000 for one person, $200,000 for more than one person and $10,000 property damage under § 1345.04. In the Downtown Design District, § 1185.08 adds a certificate of appropriateness before a demolition permit.