Marion, OH Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

The inspection provision in Marion's codified ordinances sits in Chapter 1360, Dangerous Buildings. Section 1360.03 authorizes and directs the Safety/Service Director or assistants to inspect any building within the municipality to determine whether it is a dangerous building within the terms of § 1360.01. The inspector must show appropriate identification, and then is authorized to enter, examine and survey at any reasonable hour all buildings existing in the municipality. The owner, occupant or person in charge, upon being shown proper identification, must give free access at any reasonable hour for the purpose of the inspection.

The chapter then sets the stages that follow an inspection. First, the inspector measures the building against the conditions in § 1360.01, which include structural failure, fire hazard, unsanitary conditions and damage to an extent of 50% or more of fair market value. Second, § 1360.04 has the Director order vacation, repair or demolition, depending on the finding. Third, § 1360.05 requires written notice to the owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, agent and all other interested persons as shown by the records of Marion County, Ohio, describing the building and the particulars that make it dangerous, and stating any repairs required. The notice is served personally or by certified mail with return receipt requested, or, if neither works after reasonable attempts, published in a newspaper of general circulation once each week for two consecutive weeks, and a notice is placed upon the building.

Fourth, § 1360.06 gives ten days after service to demand a hearing in writing, with the Board of Building Appeals hearing held within thirty days of the demand. Fifth, § 1360.07 sets ten days to vacate and 60 days to repair or demolish, and § 1360.08 lets the Director enforce through the Marion Municipal Court, posting, abatement or a demolition contract.