Engineering

The Engineering Department is pleased that you are considering a project within the City of Portsmouth. Whether you are making minor repairs to your home or involved with a major new construction project, we understand that your hard work will enhance our City.

Our web site has been developed to give you the basic information necessary for you to begin your project. Zoning information and some basic maps are offered by our GIS (Geographical Information System) division.  Just follow the link below.

Our staff is available to offer information and guidance to see your project to a successful completion.  If you have any questions concerning your project, please do not hesitate to call us.

Engineering Department

From building permits to code enforcement, our engineering department is here to assist you.

Telephone:

(740) 354-7557

E-mail:

Hours:

M-F
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Address:

Here are the most requested forms in Adobe PDF format.

Application for Contractor Registration	Permit Fee Scedule	Vendor License Request
Design and Review Board Application for Certificate of Appropriateness		Application for Certificate of Commercial Plan Approval

GIS

The GIS section houses the electronic maps of the City.  There are quite a few maps that are in Adobe .PDF format as well as a link to the newly installed internet mapping site for Portsmouth.  Click here to visit the GIS division.

ZONING

The Engineering Department has zoning maps which indicate the various zoning districts within the City- Business, Residential, Industrial, or Agricultural.

Once we have determined the zoning district of your proposed site, you may review the City's Codified Ordinances which specify what can or cannot be established within a particular district.  A copy of the City's Codified Ordinances is available for review in the City Engineering office located at 728 2nd St., Room 25.

If your site is not zoned for your particular venture, make your written request for a zoning variance to the Portsmouth Planning Commission.  Make your written request to this office and we will inform you of the next Planning Commission meeting.  A fee of Forty ($40.00) dollars is required at the time you submit your request.

VENDOR'S LICENSE

This license is obtained through the Scioto County Auditor's Office.  However, if your business is located within the City of Portsmouth, you must complete a pre-certification questionnaire before the County will process your application.  This questionnaire is to determine that your proposed business is within the appropriate zoning district of the City.

SIGN PERMITS

We understand that signage is extremely important to your business.  The Engineering staff will discuss with you the regulations concerning sign location and then issue a permit for their erection.

PLANNING COMMISSION OR ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS REQUESTS

If your plans include construction which is not consistent with zoning regulations, we will inform you.  These regulations are contained in the city's Codified Ordinances which we have for your review.  For example- if you wish to construct a garage which is not within the regulated size for your lot, you would need special permission from the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Our inspectors will review your plans and if special authority is necessary from either the Planning Commission or the Zoning Board of Appeals we can schedule your case before the next Commission or Board meeting.

PLANS AND PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

Before you begin any construction or remodeling of an existing structure within the City you must obtain an appropriate permit- electrical, building, or plumbing.  You will also need a permit for installation of a sewer line tap and installation of a sprinkler system.

Our inspectors are available to discuss with you the type of work you plan.  If a new construction, they will inform you of the plans and drawings you must submit at the time you apply for your permits.  If you are doing small remodeling work, the inspectors will take your application and issue you the necessary permits for your work.

A permit for general repairs will be issued for a period of six (6) months.  Permits issued for new construction will be effective for one (1) year.  Should you not finish the construction before the expiration of your permits, our inspectors may issue an extension.  The City's Building, Electrical, and Plumbing Inspectors will monitor the progress of your work.  If, at any time during construction, you or your contractor have any questions, they will be available to assist you by phone or with an on-site visit.

FLOOD PLAIN INFORMATION

The City's Chief Building Officer has all of the flood plain information that you will need after you have picked your site.  Should the site you wish to build on be within the designated flood plain, you must follow certain criteria.  The Chief Building Officer will inform you if your site is within this area and assist you with your plans.  Flood plain information is also used for real estate appraisals and for insurance purposes.

TAX ABATEMENT INCENTIVES

The City of Portsmouth may grant you a tax abatement concerning your construction.  Our Engineering staff will inform you of the City's policy and procedures concerning tax abatements.  

WATER AND SEWER LINE MAPS

The Engineering Department maintains maps for all the City areas.  Our Inspectors will assist you or your contractor with viewing these maps and tracings to locate sewer and/or water lines before construction begins.

SEWER TAP PURCHASES

To tap into the City's sewer lines, you must have a permit to do so.  Our inspectors will take your application and issue a permit for the tap.  The cost is one-hundred ($100) dollars.  If your contractor needs help with locating the line, our inspectors or other City personnel will be available for assistance.

BUILDING GUIDELINES: HISTORIC OR DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT AREAS

The City of Portsmouth has established a Design and Review Board consisting of five (5) citizens appointed by City Council.  This Board is committed to maintaining the historic image and feel of the Boneyfiddle Area of Portsmouth.  The Board is also charged with approving only those plans which follow the original guidelines pertaining to the Downtown Area of Portsmouth.

Our Engineering staff will inform you if your proposed new construction site or your existing building is within this designated area.  If so, you must have Design and Review Board approval before any construction or certain types of repair work begins.  Our staff will assist you with completing an application to this Board and will also see that your application is submitted.

The general guidelines have been published in the document titled "DESIGN GUIDELINES for City of Portsmouth Historic Districts & Listed Properties" and is available in .PDF format here.  NOTE: This file is about 28MB and may take a while to download.

DEMOLITION REQUIREMENTS

If you have a house or any other structure on your property that you wish to demolish, you need a demolition permit.  However, before this permit is issued, you must first contact the City Health Department.  The Health Department requires you to have the structure exterminated and that an inspection be conducted for asbestos or other hazardous materials.  These regulations assure that when a structure is demolished, the surrounding neighborhood does not have a problem with rodents, insects, or any hazardous materials.  After you have complied with these regulations, the Health Department will issue you an extermination permit card marked approved for demolition.  You will be advised to bring that permit card to the Engineering Department and our inspectors will issue your demolition permit.  You should make sure that your contractor is aware of the State of Ohio regulations concerning the disposal of building materials in landfills.  Our Building Inspectors will monitor the progress of the demolition.