Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Auburn Township, Ohio

Auburn Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in the unincorporated territory of Auburn Township, Geauga County, Ohio.

  • The resolution applies only to the unincorporated territory of Auburn Township.
  • The resolution states that its provisions are minimum requirements and that the most restrictive lawfully adopted rule, regulation, or resolution governs when there is a conflict.

  “JURISDICTION: This Resolution shall apply to all of the unincorporated territory of Auburn Township, Geauga County, Ohio.”

Rules another office applies inside Auburn Township

Auburn Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  New-home construction in Auburn Township, a Geauga County township.

  • The county information sheet relates to townships only.
  • All required approvals must be obtained before construction begins; a building permit alone is not sufficient.
  • The township will not issue a zoning certificate until the sewage permit and, when applicable, Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District approval are obtained.
  • The sheet is a general guide and says each situation is unique; other projects may require fewer or other approvals, including state and federal approvals.

  “The Geauga County Building Department is responsible for enforcement of the Residential Code of Ohio and the National Electric Code. A "Building Permit" is approval of the actual physical construction of your project, which includes structural (foundation and framing) mechanical and electrical*.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private household sewage treatment systems serving homes in Auburn Township, Geauga County, Ohio.

  • This applies to homes served by a private septic system and water well; the county states township homes are primarily served this way.
  • A lot evaluation is required to determine whether a septic system is feasible.
  • The owner must hire a soil scientist and septic designer to prepare a soil report, calculations, and plans; system capacity is based on the proposed number of bedrooms.
  • Where public sanitary sewer or public drinking water is provided, the County owns the system and the Geauga County Department of Water Resources operates and maintains it; construction plans must be submitted to the County Sanitary Engineer before issuance of a sewer permit.
  • Some subdivisions have private sewer or water systems not affiliated with the County, and municipalities maintain their own sanitary and water infrastructure.

  “Homes located within the townships of Geauga County are primarily served by household sewage treatment systems, AKA a "septic system" and private water wells, both of which require review and approval by Geauga Public Health ("GPH") based upon regulations adopted by the Ohio Department of Health.”

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.