Youngstown, OH Building Safety: Childcare Center Rules (2026)

Chapter 1503 of the Youngstown Codified Ordinances adopts the 2017 Ohio Fire Code, effective December 15, 2017 as published at OAC 1301:7-7, and applies it to all lands and properties in the City under Sections 1503.01 and 1503.03. Enforcement runs through a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector certified under Section 1503.04, who must hold a certificate from the Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction under R.C. 3303.07. Under Section 1503.14(a), the Fire Chief or a designee is authorized to charge fees for a defined list of Fire Safety & Prevention services, and item (6) sets a $100.00 fee specifically for a "Foster Home, Daycare Facility, Group Home Inspection," while item (7) sets a separate $50.00 fee for a "Home Daycare Inspection," distinguishing a commercial-scale child care building from an in-home operation.

The initial Fire Safety & Prevention Code inspection itself carries no charge under item (1), but Section 1503.14(a)(2) adds a $50.00 first re-inspection fee that increases by another $50.00 for every subsequent re-inspection the Fire Department has to perform, and Section 1503.14(b) bills the owner at the higher rate if the owner or responsible party is not present for a scheduled inspection. Section 1503.14(d) waives the first re-inspection fee only if all required remediation has already been completed by the time the inspector returns; further remediation restarts the fee at the second re-inspection rate.

Unpaid inspection charges may be collected by the Fire Chief or designee under Section 1503.14(e). Because Chapter 1503 also incorporates the Ohio Fire Code's penalty structure at Section 1503.99, a child care operator cited for a serious Ohio Fire Code violation can also face a civil penalty of up to $1,000 in addition to the inspection fee itself.