Zoning Certificates & Inspections

Zoning Certificates & Inspections

Sycamore Township is pleased to offer Cloudpermit, a cloud-based application system.

To get started, click the Cloudpermit Link. You are required to create an account as the applicant, and once you do so, you will select the Sycamore Township community in the Ohio section. A separate zoning certificate application will be required for each project element. For example, if a pool and a building addition are being applied for, individual applications are required for each project.

The Cloudpermit system allows applicants to apply for and see their application status anywhere, at any time. You can start an application and finish it later and receive email updates on your Zoning Certificate application status. Once a project is completed and inspected by Sycamore Township, a document memorializing the finalization of the project will be created, and the applicant will then transmit that PDF document to the Hamilton County Building Department, if necessary.

If you have questions – please call the Township at (513) 792-7250. If you have any questions, a staff member will be happy to assist.

Need Help with Cloudpermit?

Getting Started with Cloudpermit: Cloudpermit Applicant Users Guide
Cloudpermit Support

If you have questions – please call the Township at (513) 792-7250. If you have any questions, a staff member will be happy to assist.

Inspections Need 24-Hours’ Notice.

Inspections should be scheduled through your Cloudpermit portal. If you have questions about Zoning Certificate inspections, please get in touch with Zoning Inspector Kevin Clark at (513) 792-7249 [email protected]

Here Are Some Items That Require a Zoning Certificate:

Residential (please note, many Residential Zoning Certificates are free or at a small fee):

Fencing
Pools
Residential Additions
Decks
Sheds
New Single-Family Dwelling
New Multi-Family Dwelling
A building addition
Other – such as ground-mounted solar panels.

Commercial (fee schedule)

Tenant Change (even if a tenant stays in the same building but changes suites)
Tenant Interior Finish
New Building
Fencing/ Walls
Masonry Dumpster Enclosure
Exterior Façade Changes
Accessory Structure
A building Addition
Bulk Mult-Family Improvements (e.g., new decks, carports, fencing, etc)
Commercial-Grade Pool (e.g., at a multi-family complex)

Commercial

Storage tanks or other equipment, such as ground-mounted solar panels.
Sign Face Change
New Building Sign(s)
New Monument Sign
Parking Lots – New or Restripe
Other: Such as rooftop mechanical screening or EV Charging Stations
Temporary Tents, Stages
Temporary Business located in a Parking Lot
Temporary Signage
Updates to Telecommunication Towers

What Needs to be Inspected?

Final Inspection – of all projects
Building Footer Inspection (pre-concrete for all new buildings and additions)
Monument Sign Footer Inspection (pre-concrete to ensure proper setback from ROW of monument sign.

Residential Projects

Residential Project Application and Information:

To Apply: Cloudpermit

Setback Information

Commercial Projects

Commercial Project Application and Information:

To apply: Cloudpermit

Parking Analysis Worksheet

Fee Schedules

Planning and Zoning Fee Schedule
Fire Department Fee Schedule

Sycamore Township accepts online payments for Fire and Zoning Fees.To pay online now with a Master Card of Visa, CLICK HERE.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the turnaround time for a Zoning Certificate?bgunderson2021-04-26T13:59:51-04:00

What is the turnaround time for a Zoning Certificate?

Typically, the review time for Zoning Certificate applications is within 3-5 business days. During especially busy periods, or for more complex commercial applications, review time could take up to 8 business days.

Do I need to apply for a building permit with Hamilton County also?bgunderson2021-06-30T08:46:06-04:00

Do I need to apply for a building permit with Hamilton County also?

Most submittals that are reviewed by the Township for zoning will also require a permit from the Hamilton County Building Department. The items that DO NOT require a building permit include residential accessory structures (sheds) 200 square feet and under and residential fences.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the approved drawings from the Township are delivered to the Building Department for their review.

Hamilton County Building Department
138 East Court Street, 8th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-946-4550

*If you do not have someone local who can pick up the plans and zoning certificate, we will forward your approved plans to the Hamilton County Building Department, if you provide the packaging, a prepaid shipping label and a $50 handling fee.

Is a survey of my property required?bgunderson2021-04-26T14:22:08-04:00

Is a survey of my property required?

The office of Planning & Zoning does not require a survey for all types of projects, however, it is recommended for your own protection. If property line disputes arise. it is a civil matter that must be solved between the two property owners.

How do I obtain a survey of my property?bgunderson2021-04-26T14:07:55-04:00

How do I obtain a survey of my property?

There are a few ways in which a property owner may obtain a survey of their property. The most obvious, but most expensive is to contact a reputable surveyor. Other ways may include the Hamilton County Recorders Office or by contacting your mortgage or title company. *Please note the Township DOES NOT have a survey of your property on file.

What is a site plan?bgunderson2021-04-26T14:09:41-04:00

What is a site plan?

A site plan [or plot plan] is a drawing that shows the property lines and dimensions of the property as well as the locations of any existing structures on the lot. The proposed improvements are to be shown on the site plan including the distances from the lot lines and other structures.

What is an elevation drawing?bgunderson2021-04-26T14:21:25-04:00

What is an elevation drawing?

An elevation drawing shows the end result of the proposed structure, including the height.

Does the Township have an inspector who will inspect my project once it is complete?bgunderson2025-04-03T16:23:34-04:00

Does the Township have an inspector who will inspect my project once it is complete?

Yes. The Township inspector works hand-in-hand with Hamilton County Building Inspectors to ensure compliance. It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Township once the project is complete to schedule a final inspection. For residential projects, you generally do not have to be present during the inspection.

Inspections should be scheduled through the Cloudpermit portal. If you have questions about Zoning Certificate inspections, please get in touch with Zoning Inspector Kevin Clark at (513) 792-7249 or [email protected].

Does the Planning & Zoning Department do fire reviews as well?bgunderson2021-06-30T08:50:34-04:00

Does the Planning & Zoning Department do fire reviews as well?

Fire reviews are conducted by Safety Compliance Inspector Doug Morath. He may be contacted at 513-792-7246 of [email protected].

*In order for Inspector Morath to approve plans, the applicant must drop off or email him a copy of the Fire/IBI Routing slip stamped with the Hamilton County Building Department permit number for the project.

Zoning Certificates & Inspections

Residential Projects

Commercial Projects

Fee Schedules