Akron, OH Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Under Akron City Code Chapter 190, Article 1, the Superintendent of Building Inspection runs the city's inspection program. Section 190.107 requires that "all structures and buildings, and installations of fixtures, and additions, alterations, and repairs to existing structures and buildings for which permits are required by this Code, shall be inspected and approved before being concealed, used or occupied." The Superintendent can also inspect work in progress at his discretion, order inspection of materials or assemblies at the point of manufacture at the permit applicant's cost, and inspect a building before issuing a permit to raze it. The Superintendent may accept written reports from recognized inspection services if satisfied of their qualifications and reliability.

Section 190.108 puts the burden of scheduling on the permit holder: inspections must be requested by notifying the Superintendent "at a time which will give the Superintendent a reasonable amount of time to make the inspection," and for work about to be covered up, the permit holder must notify the Superintendent "not less than two working days prior to covering work or systems." Skipping that notice risks having concealed work rejected and ordered exposed for inspection.

Enforcement runs through Section 190.109: if the Superintendent finds work erected, constructed, altered or repaired in violation of the building code or an approved plan, he must serve a written notice of violation and order to comply, specifying the violated sections and a reasonable compliance deadline, served personally or by certified and regular mail. Where continuing an operation threatens public welfare and safety, or a required permit was never obtained or posted per Sections 190.201 and 190.202, the Superintendent can issue an oral or written stop-work order until the violation is remedied. He may also revoke a permit for false statements or material misrepresentation in the application, or where completed work does not substantially conform to the approved plan.