Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New Albany, Ohio
New Albany is a city in Franklin County, Ohio. New Albany adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits New Albany’s rules apply, not the county’s. 6 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 18, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Franklin County page.
Answers from the rulebook for New Albany
New Albany’s own rules
Building permitRequired
Roofs, decks, fences, patios, and other construction subject to New Albany permitting inside city limits.
A plan review and permit are required for a roof, deck, fence, or patio.
“Yes, each will require both a plan review and permit.”
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
Residential, commercial, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical construction inside New Albany city limits.
Residential construction is enforced under the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio.
Commercial construction is enforced under the 2024 Ohio Building Code, 2024 Ohio Plumbing Code, and 2024 Ohio Mechanical Code.
Electrical construction is enforced under the 2023 National Electric Code.
“Residential construction in New Albany is enforced”
InspectionsRequired
Structural, HVAC, electrical, sewer-tap, fire, and commercial-zoning work inside New Albany city limits where the listed inspection type applies.
Structural, HVAC, and electrical inspections must be requested by voicemail by 4:00 p.m. on the business day before the inspection.
Sewer-tap inspections must be requested by 4 p.m. on the business day before inspection.
Inspections requiring both the building inspector and fire department require two business days' advance request.
“Inspections must be requested by voicemail by 4:00 p.m. on the business day before the inspection. Please call 614-939-2222 in order to schedule structural, HVAC, or electrical inspections.”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
All land inside New Albany city limits.
The official zoning map identifies regulations and zoning designations for parcels within New Albany.
“Every parcel of land within New Albany, including parkland, has a zoning designation.”
Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)
Every parcel of land inside New Albany city limits, including parkland.
The official zoning map is maintained by the Community Development Department.
The city directs users to the official map and its digital and interactive versions.
“These designations in the official zoning map are known as zoning districts.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Residential and commercial building-permit applications inside New Albany city limits.
Residential submission requires a completed application and two copies of checklist materials.
Commercial submission requires a completed application, two hard copies, and two flash drives of checklist materials.
Fees are due when plan review is complete and/or before permit issuance.
“submission of an application and accompanying plans and documents”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask New Albany or Franklin County directly.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders undertaking construction inside New Albany city limits.
Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside New Albany city limits.
Minimum dwelling size — Single-family residential districts inside New Albany city limits.
Minimum lot size — Single-family residential and agricultural districts inside New Albany city limits.
Setbacks — Single-family residential and agricultural districts inside New Albany city limits.
19 more unanswered
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Subdividing land
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
Short-term rentals
Permit fees
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Unanswered questions are usually a sign that New Albany publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Franklin County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in New Albany means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
