Zoning – Residential

Frequently Asked Questions

1. 1. Do I need a permit for a fence?
   • Yes. A Zoning Permit is required for erecting any fence, shed, and detached garage within Germantown. The permit is $15 and can be obtained on-line or at the Village offices. Please call 855-7255 for more information.
2. What about the building permit?
   • The Village of Germantown enforces a model residential building code, as well as related electrical, fire and mechanical codes. The Ohio Building Officials Association Code (OBOA) applies to one-, two-, and three-family dwellings. The Ohio Building Code (OBC) applies to the construction of dwellings with more than three (3) units, commercial and industrial structures. If you are planning to construct a new building or make a change to your property in Germantown, you may obtain all the necessary information and forms at the “one-stop” offices, 75 North Walnut Street, Germantown, or download the forms from this website. You can contact the Building Department at 433-4642 with any questions. Download Building Permit Application
3. How do I fill out a Zoning Permit?
   • Basically, the Planning and Zoning Department needs to know exactly where on your property the new construction will be sitting. Zoning deals with where things are located on your property. Therefore, on your permit, you will need to draw a fairly detailed picture of your property and where buildings are situated on it. The distance of your house, shed, etc. and their relation to your property lines are very useful.
4. How can I get my property rezoned?
   • You will need to come to the Village offices and fill out an Application for Rezoning. The Planning and Zoning Department will evaluate your request and make a recommendation to the Planning Commission. If the Planning Commission approves the application, it would then have to go to the Village Council. The Council can then approve or deny the application. The entire process could take as much as 3-4 months.
5. How can I find out if I can open a business on my property?
   • Every section of Germantown has been separated into Zoning Districts, and some uses are permitted in some districts, but not in others. You can call 855-7255 or stop by the Village offices and the Planning & Zoning Department can tell you what district you live in. A copy of our regulations concerning the permitted locations for businesses is available to the public.

Residential Additions or Alterations

If you are planning to build a room addition, garage, shed, porch, fence, deck, install a pool or dish antenna, operate a home occupation, or make another similar other type of improvement on a residential-used lot in Germantown, you will need a Zoning Permit, and in most cases, a Building Permit.

The Assistant Village Manager issues a Zoning Permit after ensuring by site plan review that the proposed structure meets a number of standards established by the Zoning Ordinance. In some cases, the Zoning Permit must then be taken to Montgomery County to obtain the applicable building permit(s).

The Montgomery County Division of Building Regulations conducts all building inspections for the Village of Germantown. Building inspectors ensure that uniform minimum standards for new construction are met. Some of the areas addressed include structural integrity, electric wiring, plumbing, mechanical systems (HVAC), and materials used for foundations, walls, and roofing.

All inspection requests from the County must be made at least one (1) day in advance. You may call the morning of your scheduled inspection and obtain a time (within a two hour block) of when the inspector should arrive.

What you need

• An Application for Zoning Permit and two copies of a site plan.
• All applications required by Montgomery County Division of Building Regulations.

General Zonig Fees

Each application for zoning should be accompanied by the following fees:

• Single-family unit – $25.00
• Multi-family unit (2) – $35.00
• Commercial Unit – $50.00
• Business Permit – $30.00
• Home Occupation – $20.00
• Sign Permit – $15.00
• Accessory Structure – $15.00
• Accessory Structures- $15.00
• Commercial & Industrial – $50.00
• Variance – $50.00
• Conditional Use- $50.00
• Minor Subdivision – $50.00
• Preliminary Plat – $100.00
• Final Plat – $150.00
• Copy of Subdivision Regulations – $20.00
• Copy of Zoning Code- $25.00

See the Montgomery County Division of Building Regulations for applicable building inspection fees.

Process

Obtain and complete Application For Zoning Permit. Accompanying site plans must illustrate how all height regulations, lot area, width, and yard requirements are met for each accessory use.

An approved Application For Zoning Permit may then be taken to Montgomery County to apply for the building permits needed for construction.

General Zoning Information

Home Occupation

All occupational activities must occur entirely within the principle dwelling (home) and be conducted only by persons who live there. No separate entrance for the proposed use or modification not customarily found in residential dwellings is allowed. No more than 25% of the total actual floor area of any one story may be used for proposed use. No equipment except which is used for purely domestic or household purposes may be used. Only one non-illuminated sign, not to exceed two square feet in area, may be externally displayed. All Home Occupations are conditional uses.

Sheds, Pools, and other Accessory Structures

These improvements are allowed when use and height requirements are met as specified by the applicable zoning district regulations. In addition, they may not be erected in side or front yard areas and may not be closer than three (3) feet to any side or rear lot line. When accessed from an alley, the accessory structure shall be at least 10 feet from the alley. There shall be no more than two (2) accessory structures for each lot; each structure must be at least 10 feet from each main building. When there is sufficient side or front yard area to allow construction without infringing upon required minimum setbacks, an accessory structure (excluding pools) may be erected, provided that it is attached to the main building or connected by a covered breezeway.

Unroofed Porches and Steps may extend from the dwelling into the front yard a maximum of 10 feet.

Fences

A fence, wall, hedge, or shrubbery may be erected, placed, maintained, or grown along a lot line in the front or corner side yard to a height not to exceed three feet (3′),and not to exceed six feet (6′) in the side or rear yards. Owner assumes full responsibility for placement in any recognized easement.

Dish Antennas

Dish Antennas must be placed in the rear yard, no less than eight (8) feet from any property line or easement, no less than 10 feet from any other structure, nor in proximity to any electrical power line in such a manner as to create a safety hazard. The dish may not exceed nine (9) feet in diameter. It cannot exceed 12 feet in height from the ground or be higher than the main structure, whichever is less. No more than one dish type antenna shall be permitted on any lot. See the Zoning Compliance Officer for landscaping, fencing and other dish antenna related requirements.

Additions to Residential Structures

This includes attached rooms, garages, carports, decks, and roofed or enclosed porches. These improvements are allowed when use, height, lot area, width, and yard requirements are met as specified by the applicable zoning district regulations.
Curb, Gutter, Sidewalk and Driveway Repairs do not require a Zoning or Building Permit, but rather a Construction Permit from the Supervisor of Street and Storm Sewers.