Introduction

The procedures for inspections without sealed plans are established by the bureau of code compliance to assist customers in expediting the approval process for construction projects of minor work in nature.

Application qualifications

Typically, the following types of projects are qualified for application for inspections without requiring sealed plan process.

• Minor Construction: Work of minor alterations to existing building for the purpose of replacement or maintenance repairs that has limited impact on access, safety, or health at the discretion of the building official AND does not require technical analysis or design by a registered design professional in accordance with sections 102.10.2 and 106.2.1(5) OBC. This shall also include temporary membrane tent structures.
• Type A Day-Care Home: Day care for children is provided in the permanent residence of the Administrator for seven to twelve children or four to twelve children if four or more are under two years of age. Fees to include 1 structural; 1 electrical (and 1 plumbing, if state jurisdiction)
• Electrical Upgrades: (1 electrical inspection)
• Permanent 60-amp services for lighting on existing billboard signs only
• Exact replacement of Mechanical equipment only
• Upgrading existing electrical services not to exceed 400 amps
• Temporary Electrical: (1 electrical inspection)
• Temporary electrical service not to exceed 400 amps
• Electrical wiring and installation for a temporary use purpose.
• Temporary door locking device in school buildings as permitted in Section 1010.4 OBC (2 inspections)

Projects excluded

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 3783.02 and section 102.10 OBC, the Division of Industrial Compliance DOES NOT provide inspection services for the following types of project:

• Pole/Pedestal mounted telephone cabinets
• Oil wells
• Pole/Pedestal mounted cable television boosters
• Lift stations not associated with a construction project within the jurisdiction of the Division of Industrial Compliance
• Transportation signals
• Highway lighting
• Railroad crossing flashers
• School crossing flashers
• Parking lot lighting that is fed direct from a pedestal or pole-mounted service, not from a building of which DIC would have jurisdiction over
• Concession trailers, equipment trailers and H.U.D. trailers (mobile homes)
• Replacement of services by the public utility up to and including the meter (supply side)
• Exact repair & replacement of electrical systems within our jurisdiction on a case by case basis
• Campground, Marina or RV park electrical hook-ups that are fed direct from a pedestal or pole-mounted service, not from a building of which DIC would have jurisdiction over
• Although DIC may have previously inspected these systems, it is important to note that both the ORC and the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) Section 4101:2-27-01 explicitly exempts these installations and their associated metering devices from the authority of DIC review. In other words, DIC has no legal authority to inspect these systems. The
• Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) rule 4901:1-10-05 does allow “in any areas where there is no local inspection authority” that the installation and associated metering may be inspected by an electrician. The electrician’s inspection shall maintain the same authority as the inspections made by DIC, in times past.

Application form

• Apply online through DIC web portal. If you have not registered as a member in the web portal, you must complete the registration process first. Once you are registered, you can follow the screen instructions to apply for “Building inspection without plan” as application type and upload all required supporting documents (in .PDF format) in the attachment tab.
• Apply in paper format: To apply by mail you may contact our office for the DIC 3018 form by submitting request in the Contact Us page.

Application documents required

The following documents are required to be submitted for this process:

• Completed application form (See below DIC 3018)
• Process fees (check proper inspections required based on the scope of work).
• Three (3) sets of construction plans; at a minimum, a floor plan indicating the location of work and description of the work should be submitted for minor construction work. Also, submit an electrical one-line diagram for electrical work. Plans are not required to be sealed by a registered design professional.

Inspection and certificate issuance procedures

• Once the application and documents are reviewed and processed, you will receive a written acceptance letter in the mail or by e-mail regarding the procedures to schedule the appropriate structural and electrical safety inspections. This acceptance letter can also be viewed and downloaded through DIC web portal.
• Please allow up to 5 business days for the processing of the application. Additional questions may be directed to Building Code Compliance at 800/523-3581 or 614/644-2622 or e-mail in (BDCCPlans@com.state.oh.us).
• Once ALL required inspections are completed, a certificate of use and occupancy will be issued and mailed to the owner. The certificate of occupancy can also be downloaded through DIC web portal.