BZS News

Beginning June 1, 2025 Building & Zoning Services will be all digital with inspection results and tracking.  All building permits issued after this date will not receive an inspection record (sign-off sheet) as the second page of the permit.  Inspection results will continue to be available through our Citizen Access Portal (portal.columbus.gov/).  In addition, an inspection report is now available through the portal.  All building permits issued before this date may continue using the paper sign-off sheet or may begin a hybrid method.  Please work with your inspectors for the best method for your project.

To access the inspection report through Citizen Access, simply click on “search applications and permits” in the Building section on the Home page.  Then enter your building permit number in the appropriate field and click the search button on the general search screen.  All relevant building permit information will be displayed.  At the top right section of this page, you will find a red “reports” button which is where the inspection report is found.  You may search the entire inspection report or a specific date range.  All inspections related to the building permit and plan approval will be displayed.

If you have any questions concerning this new procedure, you may contact the Building Inspection Manager at 614-645-8445 or dldaniel@columbus.gov.  

The Department of Building and Zoning Services is pleased and excited to partner with Fort Hayes Career Center. The goal of the partnership is to create opportunities for students entering the construction trades field. The students are exposed to trained professionals who previously worked in the industry and are now certified inspectors. 

BZS offers a variety of activities throughout the school year and summer to ensure students understand the function of the department and the possibility of future employment with the department.

 Activities include:

• "BZS Day”:  Inspectors spend the day at Fort Hayes with the students and teachers
• Shadow Days-groups of students spend the day at BZS to learn and understand the department
• Internship-First ever program for skilled trades students at BZS. Students spend the summer learning about their prospective disciplines with certified building inspectors.
•  Mentors-Offers students and teachers direct access to inspectors in all skilled trades
• Trainee program-program approved by Ohio Board of Building Standards to hire two Ft. Hayes High School graduates for a paid trainee program. The trainees will spend a year learning and understanding building codes to become a certified building inspector.

Water Service Line Inspections

Effective August 28, 2024 all inspections for water service lines and appurtenances, both domestic and fire will be performed by Building and Zoning Services (BZS) from the point of the meter to the water distribution system of the building(s) served. To ensure a smooth transition, the following procedure will be implemented:

•  Plan review and approval will continue to be reviewed by Public Utilities and site compliance where a water service plan approval number will be issued.

• A Water Service Installation permit will be required for the inspection and issued by (BZS). The permit may be issued at the (BZS) customer service counter Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm or on-line using the Citizen Access portal. In both cases the Water Service Plan number is required. Permits will only be issued to registered contractors approved for this work.

•  Inspections may be scheduled on-line up to midnight using the Citizen Access Portal for next business day inspections. It is suggested to provide the site contact information when scheduling an inspection. The approved water service plan will be required at the time of inspection.

• Permits are issued with two inspection trips with a maximum of one hour per trip of inspection time. Additional time may be granted but will require an additional inspection trip. Additional inspection trips may be purchased as needed. The fee schedule can be found here

All questions concerning this document or water service inspections should be sent to plumbinginfo@columbus.gov.