Permit & License Applications | Parma, OH (2024)

VisitCitizenserve Online Portal to use our online portal to apply for all licenses and permits.

The following instructions apply to all permit applications:

1. Contractors must register with the Building Department prior to starting work. (see note)
2. Permits must be approved and acquired prior to starting any work. (see note)
3. Permit applications must be completed in their entirety where applicable.
4. All permits must be displayed in a place that is easily visible from the street.
5. Contractor(s) must call for inspections 24 hours in advance as the project progresses. Addresses and permit numbers must be supplied when requesting an inspection.
6. Once a final inspection has been completed and approved, the permit may be removed from its place.

Fees are assessed per ordinance C.O. 185.04 and 185.05. The City of Parma Treasury Department can accept cash, checks or Visa or MasterCard. (There is a 2% charge for using a credit card.) Checks must be made out for the exact fee amount and payable to the City of Parma. No credit or refund can be given for incorrect calculations regarding a building project fee. A permit will be issued only when the full and correct amount is paid.

(Note) Pursuant to City of Parma Codified Ordinance Number 1505.15 entitled "Permits Required; Surcharges" proper permits must be approved and released prior to the performance of any work. Also, pursuant to City of Parma Codified Ordinance Number 1501.15, if construction work is started without obtaining the proper and necessary permits, an administrative penalty fee of $100 for the first offense, $300 for the second offense and $500 for the third offense shall be assessed and paid as part of the permit fees. Pursuant to the City of Parma Codified Ordinance Number 1501.37 entitled "Contractor Registration" all contractors working in the City of Parma must be registered with the Building Department prior to performing any work. Cost of registration is $250 if the work is begun before finalizing registration.

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• All Fees For Permits (PDF)
• Board and Commission Meeting Application and Fees (PDF)
• Commercial Permit Application for Heating and Air Conditioning (PDF)
• Residential Permit Application for Heating or Cooling (PDF)
• Situation / Site Plan Form (PDF)
• Tree Planting and-or Removal Permit Application (PDF)
• Windows, Siding or Roofing Permit Application (PDF)

Individual permit required for each item (cannot put roofing and siding together on the same application even if the same address).

• Waterproofing Permit Application (PDF)
• Electrical Fees and Application (PDF)
  • Per state regulations, applicant must be a state-certified electrical contractor to apply for and be granted an electrical permit for all commercial business.
  • Electrical contractor must be registered with the City of Parma.
• Plumbing Fees and Application (PDF)
  • Per state regulations, applicant must be a state-certified plumbing contractor to apply for and be granted a plumbing fee and an application (PDF) for all commercial businesses.
  • Plumbing contractor must be registered with the City of Parma
• In-Ground and Above-Ground Swimming Pool(s) Permit Application (PDF)
  • Application for Permit to Install Electrical Equipment (PDF) (Required)
  • Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (Required with two sets of drawings only for in-ground pools)
• Fire Suppression, Sprinklers, Hood and Alarm Permit Application (PDF)

  Contact the Building Department for instructions at 440-885-8030

Signs

• Application for sign permit (PDF)
• Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (Required)
• Application for Owner's Consent Form (PDF) (Required)

1. Plan examination application fee of $60 for the first sign and $20 for each additional sign (+ 3% O.B.B.S. fee) upon submittal of application.
2. Two copies of scale drawings and cross sections must be submitted.
3. Dimensional plot plan (for free-standing sign).
4. Elevation drawing and detailed drawing to include structural, anchorage and wind load.
5. Electrical drawing and permit application (PDF).
6. Type of material.
7. Approval of testing agency and number.
8. Identification of person erecting the sign, upon submission of the construction.
9. Drawing, including the above information, and your documents will be sent to the plans examiner and building commissioner for review.
10. Permit fee for sign advised upon approval.

Residential Additions/Alterations (Wheelchair Ramp)

• Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (There is no fee for the wheelchair ramp plan examination.)
• Residential Additions / Alterations Application (PDF)

1. If a contractor is being used, he/she must apply for the permit.
2. Two sets of structural drawings must accompany the application. Drawings must include structural, electrical, plumbing and heating plans. A partial plan exam fee of $35.35 must be submitted with the application.
3. After the permit has been reviewed by the plans examiner and approved by the building commissioner, the fees will be assessed. The applicant will then be called regarding the fees and permit pickup.

Commercial Additions/Alterations Permit Application

• Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (Required)
• Commercial Additions / Alterations Application (PDF)

1. May require Planning Commission approval. Contact the Building Department for instructions at 440-885-8030.
2. A $206 partial plan exam fee payable upon submission of plan review request.
3. Three sets of architecturally stamped and sealed plans must accompany the application.
4. After permit has been reviewed by the plans examiner and approved by the building commissioner, the remaining fees will be assessed, and the applicant will be called regarding the fees.
5. After inspection has passed, the permit may be removed from the front window and a certificate of use and occupancy will be issued.

Driveways, Garage Base, Aprons, Sidewalks, Yard Walks, Patios and Parking Lots

• Application for Driveways, Garage Base, Aprons, Sidewalks, Yard Walks, Patios and Parking Lots (PDF)

Garage and Garage Wreck Permit Application

• Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (Required for building of residential garage - not for wreck only)
• Garage and Garage Wreck Application (PDF)

Building a Residential Garage

1. The size of the garage is determined by the lot size. Contact the Building Department for permitted size at 440-885-8030.
2. If a contractor is being used, the contractor must be registered with the City of Parma and must apply for the permit. If a homeowner is building the garage, he/she must apply for a homeowner's permit.
3. Two sets of drawings must accompany the application, along with the partial plan exam fee of $15.15.
4. After the plans have been reviewed and signed by the building commissioner, fees will be assessed, and the applicant will be notified.

Residential Garage Wreck

1. If a contractor is being used, the contractor must be registered with the City of Parma and must apply for the permit. If a homeowner is wrecking an existing garage, he/she will apply for a homeowner's permit.
2. There is a $75.75 fee, which includes the O.B.B.S. fee.
3. All debris must be removed from the site.

Accessory Buildings (shed, gazebo, dog run, etc.)

• Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (Required)
• Permit Application and fees for Accessory Building (PDF)

Residential

1. The size of the shed is determined by lot size. Contact the Building Department for permitted size at 440-885-8030.
2. If a contractor is being used, he/she must be registered with the City of Parma and apply for the permit. If a homeowner is building the shed, he/she will apply for a homeowner's permit.
3. Two sets of drawings and a materials list must accompany the application. (If the shed is purchased from a store, the store can provide these.) A partial plan exam fee of $10.10 must accompany the application submittal.
4. After the application has been reviewed by the plans examiner and approved by the building commissioner, the fees will be assessed, and the applicant will be called regarding the fees and permit pickup.

Commercial

Refer to instructions that apply for commercial additions and/or alterations.

New Residential/Commercial Structure

• Application for Plan Examination (PDF) (Required)
• New Structure or Addition - Residential or Commercial (PDF)

Residential

1. Contractors and subcontractors must be registered with the City of Parma. A $202 partial plan review fee must be submitted for new structures along with the application.
2. Two sets of structural plans and six topographic survey sheets must be submitted with the application. Plans must include mechanical, electrical, plumbing and heating.
3. Upon submission, the contractor will obtain a posting card for the property from the Building Department.
4. The review process averages around four to six weeks.
5. After approval, all fees will be assessed, and the contractor will be called for permit pickup.
6. Separate permits for new residential structures include all electrical, mechanical, sewer, heating, plumbing, etc.
7. All permits must be issued before a final occupancy permit can be issued.

Commercial

1. New commercial structures must have preliminary Planning Commission approval. (Application for the Planning Commission is made to the Planning Commission secretary.)
2. A partial plan review fee of $309 is required on submission of a plan review and application. Three sets of architecturally stamped and sealed plans must accompany the application.
3. The plan review may take up to three weeks. The applicant will be notified if additional information is required to process the plan.
4. Upon final approval, all fees will be assessed, and the contractor will be notified. Any additional requirements for release (street bonds, subcontractor list, etc.) will be indicated at the time of the general contractor notification.
5. Heating, plumbing and electrical permits are not included with the main permit and must be pulled by the individual contractors.
6. All permits must be on file before inspection is done. If occupancy inspection fails, all corrections must be made, and another inspection done. There is a $200 fee payable at the final occupancy inspection. Upon final approval and completion of all inspections and paperwork, an occupancy permit will be issued.

Residential Rental Property Registration

Registration can be done online.

Certificates of Rental Property Registration expire on December 31 of the calendar year for which it was issued.

1. A separate application and fee is required for each residential rental property owned in the City of Parma.
2. A fee of $150 must be submitted with each application. Checks should be made payable to the City of Parma.
3. A late fee of $50 will be assessed for failure to complete and pay the rental registration by the due date.

Notification of Foreclosure Filing

Registration can be done online.

A fee of $100 for a residential property (one-, two- or three-family structure) or $300 for a commercial structure must be submitted along with the application.

Vacant Residential Property Registration

Registration can be done online.

Certificates of Vacant Residential Property Registration expire one year from issuance.

1. A fee of $200 must be submitted along with the application.
2. A building plan letter must be submitted indicating plans for the first year of vacancy.
3. If the property remains vacant for a second year without a building plan letter being completed, an additional fee of $350 must be submitted along with the registration form and letter.
4. If the property remains vacant for a third year without a building plan letter, an additional fee of $750 must be submitted along with the registration form and letter.

Vacant Commercial Property Registration

Registration can be done online.

Certificates of Vacant Residential Property Registration expire one year from issuance.

A fee of $200 must be submitted for the first year of vacancy along with the registration form and a vacant building plan.

Annual Certificate of Multiple Dwelling Registration

Registration can be done online.

Certificates of Rental Property Registration expire on December 31 of the calendar year for which it was issued.

1. An application form must be submitted for each building possessing a separate legal address.
2. A fee of $100 for mixed-use buildings and apartment buildings containing one to four suites, including model suites or suites occupied by the owner, custodian or resident manager, must be submitted along with the application.
3. The fee for properties consisting or more dwelling units is $20 per suite and will not exceed the $1,000.

Fences/Retaining Walls

• Residential or Commercial Fence Application (PDF)

1. The applicant must complete an application showing a site plan on the application where he/she intends to install the fence.
2. The homeowner must submit with the application either a state registered surveyor's boundary line survey (not a mortgage survey) of his/her property or indicate in space provided on his/her application that consent has been obtained from neighbors. The Building Department will only accept the original signed copy of the fence application.
3. After the building commissioner has approved the plans, the applicant will be notified of the fees.