Springfield, OH Building Safety: Building Inspections (2026)

Springfield Codified Ordinances § 1311.08 puts the plan review and inspection process in the hands of the Chief Building Official, who examines every plan-approval application within a reasonable time after filing. If the work appears safe, the Official approves the application and issues a permit as soon as practicable; if the examination turns up problems, the Official rejects the application, documents the findings in a written report, and delivers a copy to the applicant so deficiencies can be corrected and resubmitted. A parallel process under § 1311.08(b) applies to one-, two-, or three-family demolition permits, which the Code Enforcement Manager examines and approves or rejects on the same standard.

Once construction is under way, § 1311.16 requires at least 24 hours' notice to the Chief Building Official or Code Enforcement Manager before work starts, and § 1311.18 lets either official issue a written stop-work order whenever illegal work threatens public safety. The process closes with § 1311.19: no building or structure for which a permit was required may be occupied until a certificate of use and occupancy, signed by the Chief Building Official, has been obtained. Disputes over any inspection decision go to the Board of Building Appeals under Chapter 1315, which must decide within 30 days of a hearing for a $200.00 filing fee.