BUSINESSES RESOURCES | City of Parma Heights (2024)

The Parma Heights Building and Service Department would like to welcome you as a new business or new owner to an existing business.

The purpose of this guideis to bring to your attention the licensing and permit procedures involved with being a new owner of a business within our city. Please note that in the event of any change of ownership, thenewowner must obtain anewOccupancy Permit* and anewCommercial License* per the Parma Heights Codified Ordinance. (*Licenses and permits do not transfer to new owners!)

The following are the procedures required:

Send a letter of intent to the attention of Robert Sepik, Service Director, 6281 Pearl Road, Parma Heights, Ohio, 44130.

Please include:

1. Your name and the names of any other owners
2. home address and phone number
3. type of business
4. location of business
5. hours of operation
6. number of employees
7. any other information relevant to this new ownership.

This information is not only required for correspondence purposes but also if you should need to be contacted by the Police or Fire Department in case of an emergency.

• Once the letter is received, a representative from theBuilding Departmentwill contact you. You may be referred to thePlanning Commission. Planning Commission meetings are scheduled for the2nd (second)Wednesday of the month. A fee is required for this meeting. Contact the Building Department at 440-884-9607 for more information.
• A code update inspection is required for the building or space you are occupying. Code updates can be scheduled Monday-Thursday between 9:00 & 11:30 a.m. Should you wish to make any alterations to the building, it is recommended that the Chief Building Official, Assistant Fire Chief and Electrical Inspector be made aware of this at the initial inspection. They will discuss with you the permit requirements for work being done.
• A final code update may be required pending any code violations or work to be completed before the final approval is given.
• Plans for renovations will be sent out to our Plans Examiner. A separate fee for plan review will be paid directly to the Plans Examiner.
• Building permitswill be required for any work being done. Fees will be determined. Any contractor working on the job must beregisteredwith the city.
• Contact the Fire Department at (440) 885-1717 if your business involves cooking. You will need a separate permit from the Fire Department.
• Before obtaining anypermanent signage, you must obtain a newoccupancy permit. A separate sign permit is required. Any signs associated with the business or property must be brought into conformance with our currentSign Code.No pole signs are allowed.
• Once final code update is approved, you will need to apply for anOccupancy Permit. The cost for the Occupancy Permit is $250.00 and it is valid for as long as you remain the owner of the business/property.
• Every business must obtain a Commercial License. The cost is $50.00. This license must be renewed annually.

If you have any questions, please call the at (440) 884-9607, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Our goal is to make your transition into our business community as smooth as possible.

Procedures for the City of Parma Heights Commercial Building Permits

1. Speak to the Building Department at 440 884-9607 to see if Planning Commission approval is required. A building permit cannot be issued without Planning Commission approval. Complete application for building permit.
2. Submit three, (3) sets of plans for work being done. These plans must include:
   (A) Dimensioned site plan and topographic survey (if applicable)
   (B) Floor plan indicating all existing, abutting floor space, diagrams & details of all new foundation, structural, & mechanical work
   (C) Cross-section indicating all materials & attachments
3. Building Permit fee is $250.00 plus $10.00 per 100 square feet plus 3% statetax.Electrical, HVAC & Plumbing permits have separate fees.A $100.00 deposit is due at time of application. Costs can vary depending upon the type of permit issued.
4. The plans will be processed and sent out to the Plans Examiner for review.
5. The Plans Examiner will determine the Plan Review fee. The Plan Review fee must be paid directly to the Plans Eaminer in order for him to finalize the review.
6. If application is approved a building permit can be issued. All additional permits (i.e.: electric, heating, plumbing) will be issued at that time.
7. A $100.00 bond will be added to permit fee. (Bond will be refunded if all inspections have been made.)
8. If application is not approved it may be resubmitted with the additional information requested by the Plans Examiner/Building Department.
9. If application is not accepted due to violation of an existing code, a variance may be applied for by contacting the Secretary to theBoard of Zoning Appeals. If there is noncompliance with the O.B.B.C., you may appeal through the State of Ohio Board of Building Appeals.
10. All contractors working on the job must beregisteredwith the City of Parma Heights. All electric, HVAC, & plumbing contractors must be state licensed.