Building/Maintaining

Building Permit Information Building Permit Plan Examination and Approval Design Review Application Guide Scheduling Building and Housing Inspections Landbank Program Lead Hazard Control Program Cleveland Action to Support Housing Home Weatherization Assistance Program Repair-A-Home Neighborhood Historic Preservation and Heritage Home Program Sidewalk Permits, Assessments, and Repair Programs Senior Home Maintenance Assistance Heritage Home Loan Housing Enhancement Loan Program

Homeowners and Do-it-Yourselfers Permit Information

Homeowners who have hired contractors should call 216.664.2884 to verify that their contractor is registered and should ask the contractor for copies of permits before work begins. Work should not be accepted prior to final inspection by a Building and Housing inspector.

Owner-occupants of one- or two-family homes may perform alterations or build homes without being registered as contractors, but are subject to the same regulations that apply to contractors for permits, plan examination and inspection.

Plan Examination and Approval Process

Once permit applications are made, plans are reviewed by the City for code compliance.  There is a charge of $15 per 1000 square feet of work and a minimum fee of $15 for reviewing plans for homes, garages, sheds, fences, and swimming pools. The review period varies according to the project’s complexity. In general, review of one- and two-family homes can be completed in three to five working days.

For more information see the permit guide.

Building and Housing Inspections

Contractors and do-it-yourselfers are responsible for scheduling inspections by calling the office number listed on the building permit. Inspections should be made after foundation excavation (before pouring concrete), after rough-in (before concealing work), and upon completion. NOTE: If faulty work is discovered, the inspector will issue a violation notice, and a specific period of time is allotted to correct the problem.

Cleveland Action to Support Housing (CASH)

P: 216.621.7350 - F: 216.621.5269 - 4001 Detroit Ave., Suite 202, Cleveland OH

CASH Website

This program is a citywide partnership between the City and financial institutions that allows creditworthy homeowners to obtain low-interest rehabilitation loans.  The maximum term is 12 years and there are no income limitations for CASH loans.

Home Weatherization Assistance Program  (HWAP)

P: 216.664.2045 - Weekdays 8 am to 5 pm - 601 Lakeside Ave., Room 302

HWAP Flyer
HWAP Application Form

Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) grants of approximately $6,572 per unit are available through the State of Ohio for homeowners and tenants who meet HWAP income limits. Additional information is available through any of  these agencies:

Consumer Info Hotline – information regarding Ohio’s Home Weatherization Assistance Program is available at the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Assistance at 1.800.848.1300. -more

Repair-A-Home (RAH)

216.664.2045 - Weekdays 8 am to 5 pm - 601 Lakeside Ave., Room 302

This program helps homeowners repair Cleveland homes by offering low-interest loans ranging from 0% to 3%, determined by total household income. These loans are only for code related repairs, mechanical repairs or health and safety repairs.

Interested parties should contact the Division of Neighborhood Services at the above phone number for more information. A photo ID, proof of address (copy of mortgage, insurance, utility bill, etc.), and proof of income are required.

Neighborhood Historic Preservation and Heritage Home Programs

P: 216.426.3116 - 3751 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 

Heritage Home Program

These programs are administered by the Cleveland Restoration Society. The loans are not subject to income guidelines and can be used for owner-occupied as well as non-owner occupied homes.

Bureau of Sidewalks

The Bureau of Sidewalks assures proper maintenance of the City’s public sidewalks; issues citations, violation notifications, and permits; and administers two sidewalk repair programs. -more

City of Cleveland Land Bank Program

The City of Cleveland’s Land Reutilization (Land Bank) Program is designed to acquire vacant land and market it to individuals, developers, and non-profit organizations for redevelopment. The goal is to contribute to the economic, social and environmental betterment of the City through redevelopment of city-owned land.

The Land Bank application process ensures that vacant property is transferred to responsible parties committed to restoring property to productive use. Interested parties must submit a written application (Application Information is available on a tab below) to the Land Bank office and outline the details of their proposals. Each Land Bank Application has its own Guide which outlines important information such as specific application requirements, Land Bank policies and procedures.

 The general application process is as follows:

• Applicant completes a Land Bank application including required information and site plan
• Proposal is evaluated to determine if the development is suitable for the neighborhood; proposed improvements may be subject to the City's design review process
• The Councilperson for the area is informed of the proposal and comments from the City Planning Commission and area Community Development Corporation are gathered
• Applicant is notified of decision on application; if approved, conditions may be attached
• Administrative approvals are obtained, a deed is prepared for signature and the property is transferred to the interested party

Land Bank at Work Flyer