Bolthole Index

Greene County, Ohio

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Beavercreek, Ohio

The City of Beavercreek, Ohio issues zoning permits through its Planning and Development Department, while building permits are issued by Greene County Building Regulation12. Septic permits come from Greene County Public Health's Environmental Health Division, not the city3. We could not confirm the city's rules on RVs or tiny homes, so call Planning and Development before you plan one.

At a glance

Zoning
Beavercreek has its own zoning code and zoning permits41
Zoning permit
Required for a new home, garage, shed, deck, pool or fence1
Building permit
Issued by Greene County Building Regulation, not the city12
Septic
Greene County Public Health, Environmental Health Division3
Wells
State rule requires a permit to construct, alter or seal a private water system5
Smallest home in R-1A
1,200 square feet minimum footprint per unit6
Owner-builder
Ohio allows owners to obtain residential permits; plans still need approval7

Who to call

Zoning

City of Beavercreek Planning & Development Department

Zoning permits, zoning inspections and the zoning code inside Beavercreek city limits

(937) 427-5512

1368 Research Park Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45432

Building permits

Greene County Department of Building Regulation

Building, plumbing, electrical and HVAC permits and inspections for Greene County, including Beavercreek

(937) 562-7420

667 Dayton-Xenia Rd., Xenia, OH 45385

Septic permits

Greene County Public Health, Environmental Health Division

On-site sewage (septic) system design review, permitting and inspection countywide in Greene County

937-374-5600

360 Wilson Drive, Xenia, OH 45385

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Beavercreek means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Beavercreek, Ohio have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size and setbacks?

Yes. The City of Beavercreek adopts its own zoning code, Chapter 158, with agricultural, one-family, two-family, multi-family and manufactured-home residential districts4. Greene County itself does not zone, so the city's code is the one that governs a lot inside Beavercreek8.

Rules differ by district. In the R-1A one-family district, the minimum lot area is 20,000 square feet9, the minimum footprint per unit is 1,200 square feet6, and setbacks are 40 feet in front, 50 feet in back and 10 feet on the side10. Buildings in the R-1AA, R-1A and R-1B districts may not exceed 35 feet in height11. Check the parcel's district with Planning and Development before you rely on any of these numbers.

Do you need a building permit in Beavercreek, and who issues it?

A building permit is required, and Greene County issues it, not the city. Beavercreek's Planning and Development Department states that the city only issues zoning permits and that building permits, including plumbing, electrical and HVAC, come from Greene County Building Regulation1. The county's service area covers all Greene County cities and villages except Fairborn, Xenia, Bowersville, Clifton, Cedarville and Yellow Springs, and Beavercreek is not on that list2.

Starting work without a permit carries a $500 charge on the county's 2026 fee schedule2. Ohio law lets an owner prepare plans and obtain permits for a residential building, but the plans still need approval from the building department before construction begins7. We could not confirm whether the city adds its own building-code provisions, so ask Planning and Development.

Do you need a zoning permit in Beavercreek?

For a residential property, a zoning permit is required to build or replace any structure, including a new home, garage, shed, deck, pool, fence or retaining wall1. The city does not require a zoning permit for interior remodeling, at-grade patios, garage sales, temporary signs or driveways1.

The city's code says the Department acts within 45 days after an application is officially filed12, and a fee accompanies each application13. An approved zoning permit is valid for 6 months (180 days) from the date of issue1. Any development in a floodplain needs a separate floodplain development permit, which is conditional on starting work within 180 days14. A certificate of use compliance is required before a property is used or occupied, except for agricultural and school purposes15.

How do septic permits and wells work for a home in Beavercreek?

Greene County Public Health's Environmental Health Division handles on-site sewage systems for Greene County, including design review, permits and inspections of new installations316. Ohio law requires an installation or alteration permit from the board of health before anyone installs or alters a system17. Private systems serve one-, two- or three-family homes where connecting to a public sanitary sewer is not possible18.

We could not confirm whether a particular Beavercreek address must connect to city sewer, or how the city treats septic inside its limits, so ask the city and the health district before you buy. A private well needs a permit under state rules, and the Greene County health district reviews private water system permits519.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Beavercreek?

We could not confirm any Beavercreek rule on living in an RV, camping on private land or placing a tiny home. Do not assume it is allowed. The city's zoning code does include a manufactured-home residential district, R-54, but that does not answer the RV or tiny-home question.

Ohio's campground rules cover licensed campgrounds, not a private residential lot, so they do not settle it either20. Call Planning and Development at (937) 427-55121 with the parcel address and ask which district applies and whether a zoning permit could cover a temporary dwelling.

Building a home in Beavercreek: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district and its lot, setback and height rules with Beavercreek Planning and Development1.
  2. Ask the Greene County Public Health Environmental Health Division whether the lot needs a septic system or can use public sewer3.
  3. Apply to the city for a zoning permit, online or on paper1.
  4. Submit building plans and pay fees to Greene County Building Regulation. Submittals are electronic only through iWorQ, and the county requires zoning approval before it issues a permit21.
  5. Schedule inspections through iWorQ or by phone by 3 p.m. the workday before21.
  6. Obtain a certificate of use compliance from the city before moving in15.

What stays with Greene County, and what to check before you buy in Beavercreek

Septic permits, wells and building permits for Beavercreek addresses all come from Greene County offices, not the city32. Land outside Beavercreek is a different case, with different rules; see the Greene County page for it.

Before buying, check the parcel's zoning district, whether it lies in a flood hazard area14, and the tax bill. Greene County's effective property tax rate is 1.7%22 and its median bill is $4,021 a year23. Driveways inside the city do not need a zoning permit1, but we could not confirm the access-permit rule, so ask the city engineer or Planning and Development.

Watch-outs

  • Beavercreek is a different jurisdiction from Beavercreek Township and from Greene County's unincorporated land, so rules you find for those places may not apply inside the city24.
  • A zoning permit from the city is not a building permit: a new structure usually needs both, and Greene County Building Regulation will not issue its permit until zoning approval is in hand25.
  • We could not confirm how septic, wells, accessory dwellings or camping work inside city limits, so confirm with Greene County Public Health at 937-374-560026.

Sources

  1. City of Beavercreek Planning & Development Department (beavercreekohio.gov)
  2. Building Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  3. On-site Sewage Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  4. Chapter 158: Zoning Code (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  5. Chapter 3701-28 | Private water systems (Ohio statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  6. Appendix A: Schedule of Yard and Lot Requirements (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 4703.18 | Prohibiting practice without certificate, quoted and re-checked
  8. greenecountyohio.gov, quoted and re-checked
  9. Appendix A: Schedule of Yard and Lot Requirements (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  10. Appendix A: Schedule of Yard and Lot Requirements (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  11. § 158.031 R-1AA, R-1A, R-1B One-Family Residential District (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  12. § 158.173 Zoning Permits (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  13. § 158.173 Zoning Permits (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 151.24 Review and Approval of a Floodplain Development Permit Application (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  15. § 158.174 Certificate of Use Compliance (Beavercreek), quoted and re-checked
  16. On-site Sewage Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  17. Rule 3701-29-09 | Site review and permits for STS installation and operation (Ohio statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Sewage and Water, quoted and re-checked
  19. Private Water Systems, quoted and re-checked
  20. Rule 3701-26-04 | Campground requirements (Ohio statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Zoning Center, quoted and re-checked
  25. Building Regulation, quoted and re-checked
  26. Greene County Public Health, Environmental Health Division (greenecophoh.gov)

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Beavercreek

Beavercreek’s own rules

  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy of property inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • Does not apply to agricultural or public/private school purposes.
    “until a Certificate of Use Compliance shall have been issued”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • The published Chapter 158 contents enumerate zoning districts, including agricultural, one-family residential, two-family residential, multi-family residential, and manufactured-home residential districts.
    “158.031 R-1AA, R-1A, R-1B One-Family Residential District [...] 158.034 R-5 Manufactured Home Residential District”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural and school uses inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • Certificate of Use Compliance exception applies only to agricultural and public/private school purposes.
    “except those for agricultural and public or private school purposes.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Floodplain development inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • A complete application and any required federal, state, or local permits are required; permit expires after 180 days unless activity has substantially begun and is timely pursued.

    commencement period: <= 180 days (permit condition)

    “All floodplain development permits shall be conditional upon the commencement of work within 180 days.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City zoning permits inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • A fee accompanies each zoning-permit application; no action is taken until applicable fees, charges, and expenses are paid in full.
    “A fee shall accompany each application for a zoning permit”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    City zoning permits inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • A plot plan or other necessary plans are required; the Department acts within 45 days after official filing.

    approval or disapproval period: <= 45 days (after an application is officially filed)

    “Within 45 days of an application being officially filed”

Rules another office applies inside Beavercreek

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

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1A one-family residential district inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • Minimum footprint per unit is 1,200 square feet under Appendix A.

    minimum footprint per unit: 1200 square feet

    “R1A | 1 | 20,000 | 100 | 125 | 40 | 50 | 10 | 25 | 1200”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1A one-family residential district inside Beavercreek city limits.

    minimum lot area: 20000 square feet

    “R1A | 1 | 20,000 | 100 | 125 | 40 | 50 | 10 | 25 | 1200”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1A one-family residential district inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • Major-highway front yards are 70 feet; if necessary right-of-way is acquired with City Engineer approval, they are 40 feet.

    front yard setback: 40 feet · rear yard setback: 50 feet · side yard setback: 10 feet

    “the minimum front yard setback shall be 40 feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Conditional uses in R-1AA, R-1A, and R-1B one-family residential districts inside Beavercreek city limits.

    • Applies to conditional uses.

    maximum coverage by all buildings: 35 percent · maximum coverage by buildings and impervious surfaces: 75 percent

    “Maximum Coverage by All Buildings | Maximum Coverage by all Buildings and Impervious Surfaces 35% | 75%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1AA, R-1A, and R-1B one-family residential districts inside Beavercreek city limits.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet

    “No building shall exceed 35 feet in height.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Beavercreek or Greene County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built construction inside Beavercreek city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Construction inside Beavercreek city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Beavercreek city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Beavercreek city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Beavercreek city limits.
8 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access

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 Beavercreek publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Greene County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Greene County: county rules, score and offices