Resources

When requesting a permit inspection, please adhere to the following procedures.

Note: Homeowner must be present for inspections.

Contractor/Property Owner shall contact the inspector to set up an inspection, giving a minimum of 24 hours notice. The inspector’s name and telephone number appear in the upper left area of the permit.

INSPECTIONS ARE REQUIRED AT THE FOLLOWING STEPS IN THE PROJECT:

• Prior to
  • placing concrete for foundation footers, concrete slab and garage foundations
  • backfilling for waterproofing and drain tile
  • covering up or concealing insulation, plumbing, mechanical and electrical work
  • covering up rough framing
• Final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy
• For all exterior demolition activity

Provide drawings on the job site, stamped “APPROVED” by the Department of Building and Housing.

A “Useless Trip Fee” will be assessed when an appointment has been scheduled and the work is not ready for inspection.

1 (one)-, 2 (two)-, and 3 (three)-Family Dwellings, Section R301, the following local design criteria is established for the City of Cleveland, and shall be used in Table R301.2 (1).

These criteria may also be used where permitted in Ohio Building Code chapter 16, Structural Design.

02/19/08

Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria

Zoning is a set of laws that restrict and define the type of land uses and development that can occur on each parcel of land in a community. Zoning typically divides a community into districts that group compatible uses together and exclude incompatible uses.

City Planning Commission: Zoning Page

Affidavit for Homeowner Permit

This affidavit must be attached to the permit application.

Level of Review (in order of process):

1. Conceptual Approval (general idea of uses, scale, relationship among uses, and context)
2. Schematic Design Approval (placement and configurations of footprints, site layout, structure massing, general texture, and design of facades)
3. Final Design Development Approval (details of structures and site layout, including placement, materials, colors, dimensions, etc.)

Request any above level of review as “Information Only” with no approval recommendation action taken.

Items Required:
Submissions are required in electronic form. Email plans to the neighborhood planner or send files via an online file-sharing service. Staff will review submissions for completion and incomplete submissions may be subject to a delay in review.

Conceptual Approval:

• Application Form
• Written Project Summary (including location, scale, investment; number of units, square feet, residents, employees, parking spaces; potential code issues; and any other pertinent information including but not limited to sustainable features.)
• Site Location Map (district level)
• Site Context Plan (i.e., site plan showing adjoining properties, buildings, and street names)
• Existing Conditions Plan (color photographs; site context, including nearby buildings)
• Site Plan drawn to scale (include key dimensions: setbacks from property lines, widths of structures and drives, etc.)
• Section / Elevation Drawings (including color versions, if requested)
• Floor Plans (typical floors)
• Tree Preservation Plan (Applies to projects over 1 acre, or new construction ≥ 4 units see Chapter 341.051, and contact Jennifer Kipp, JKipp@clevelandohio.gov)
• After Conceptual Review and prior to Schematic please discuss with your neighborhood planner if PETBoT review is necessary and if so, email Robert Knopf (RKnopf@clevelandohio.gov) to schedule a review.

Schematic Approval (all the above, plus): 

• Illustrative Renderings if Design Review committee requests (perspective or photo simulations to scale)
• Furnishings and Site Amenities (locations, details including cut sheets)
• Conceptual Landscape and/or Streetscape Plan (with plant list)
• Storm water Management Plan/Drawings & Determination Letter (if applicable – new construction, parking lots, etc.) Contact Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) if the project disturbs over 0.5 acres (CDPP@neorsd.org)

Final Approval (all the above, plus): 

• Signage Plan (including wall signs, freestanding signs, illumination, method of attachment, colors, etc.)
• Lighting Plan (including locations, fixtures, heights, etc.)
• Material, Color and Finish Samples and Lists
• Final Landscape and or Streetscape Plan (with plant species list, number of plants and sizing of plants)

Due Dates:

Electronic submittals are required by noon seven days prior to the Design Review Advisory Committee meeting (electronic: pdf or PowerPoint)

City Planning Design Review Checklist

City Planning Design Review Application

Items Required: 

• Application Form
• Written Project Summary (include location, scale, potential code issues, & any other pertinent information)
• Site Location Map (district level)
• Site Context Plan (i.e., site plan showing adjoining properties, buildings, and street names)
• Existing Conditions (color photographs; site context, with nearby buildings; existing signage, etc.)
• Signage Location Plan and/or Master Signage Package (verify if any additional signage is planned)
• To-Scale Detailed Dimensioned Drawings (as noted below)
• Illustrative Renderings (perspective or photo simulations to scale)
• Material, Color, & Finish Samples and Lists

To-Scale Detailed Dimensioned Drawings: 

• Fully-dimensioned Existing & Proposed Signage
• Location of Signage on Structure:
• Dimensioned vertically from ground plane/sidewalk (min. 10’ clearance above sidewalk & 16’ above vehicular pathways)
• Dimensioned horizontally from Property Line/ROW & curb
• Section & Elevation Drawings (must show how signage relates to the existing architectural elements and any relevant adjacencies with dimensions)
• Shop Drawings (including how the signage will be affixed & engineered stamp if applicable)

Zoning Code Review Requirements: 

Note: Signage that includes electrical and/or structural components, or encroaches on the Public ROW (including during the installation process) requires additional permit review. 

*Variances require City Planning Commission (meets every 1st and 3rd Friday) or Landmarks Commission (2nd & 4th Thursdays) review & approval. 

• Signage square footage, length of bldg/unit’s street frontage, primary frontage & entrance(s)
• Type of Signage Included (check all that apply):
  • Wall Sign
  • Free-Standing/Monument Sign
  • Projecting Sign
  • Window Sign (25% max coverage per window pane)
  • Canopy/Awning Sign
  • Roof Sign
  • Skyline/Hi-Rise Signage (Downtown/Flats area only, see attached skyline signage policy)
    • Identify Building Owner & Provide Letter of Approval/Authorization
    • Percentage of Building Occupied (over 50% typically required):
  • Temporary Sign (banner, flag, penant, window, portable, etc.)
  • Changeable Copy Sign (automatic/manual)
  • Billboard
  • Other (please specify):
• Internally or Externally Lit? (If so, include night rendering & applicable drawings/plans): 
  ☐ Yes / ☐ No 

*Note: Ownership/Authorized Decision-Maker & Design Representative should be present for the meeting, not just Fabricator. (No Ownership present to answer questions may cause delay in review process).

*Submissions are required in electronic form as one (1) compiled PDF and are due by noon seven days prior to the Design Review Advisory Committee meeting.

Email files to the neighborhood planner or send files via an online file-sharing service. Staff will review submissions for completion. Incomplete submissions may be subject to a delay in review and your permit will not be issued.

City Planning Design Review Signage Checklist

From Landmarks Commission/Design Review Advisory Committees

DO INCLUDE:

• A brief project summary (this doesn’t have to be in the presentation but can be verbalized)
   
• Existing condition photos from various views (included from across the street, from up and down the street, and an aerial – from which you could pull up on Google Maps) of the surrounding area of the parcel (to give the Committee and Commission members perspective of the expected views from motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.).
   
• Historic images of the building/district/street if available
   
• Site plan with existing features and any proposed changes to the site and public right of way
   
• Renderings from various views that include color, site furnishings, and landscaping (if included in the project)
   
• Locations marked on a site plan of any lights or signs proposed should be included (even if the lighting and signage is not finalized)
   
• Landscape/Streetscape plans should include a plant list (with color images)
   
• Detail on any new material(s) (including product name, color, dimensions, installation) should be included separately from a site plan or elevation detail)
   
• Detail on any restored or replaced material(s) (including existing window or door materials, dimensions, and style and treatment of existing materials) should be included separate from a site plan or elevation detail

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

• Design Review Applications should be a separate attachment from the presentation itself. No .zip files accepted
• Presentations and application must be emailed to landmarks@clevelandohio.gov as directed by noon at least one week in advance of a scheduled meeting. Incomplete submissions are subject to a delay until all information is provided
• Multiple slides or pages for a presentation are preferred as projects may be reviewed on a computer/tablet screen. Be sure your information and images are clear and legible
• Design Review Advisory Committee are advisory to the Landmarks Commission and any recommendations by a Committee are not final actions. Depending on the scope of the projects, submission may be approved administratively or will need to be reviewed by the Cleveland Landmarks Commission at their next available meeting after the Design Review Committee has made a motion.
• Cleveland Landmarks Commission reviews proposed changes and demolition and building permits for designated Cleveland Landmarks and Districts. To find out if a property is a designated Cleveland Landmark or included in a Local Landmark District, visit City Planning Commission Zoning Viewer

Landmarks Commission Pointers for a Successful Design Review

Level of Review:

• Pre-review meeting or initial consultation with Landmarks Commission Staff (written scope of work, general idea of uses, scale, relationship among context, placement and configurations of footprints, concept site layout, structure massing, conceptual facades)
• Schmatic Review
• Final Review

No action is taken for Schematic Design Review level by Landmarks Commission or Design Review Advisory Committee.

Submissions are required in electronic form only. Email plans to landmarks@clevelandohio.gov or as directed by Landmarks Commission staff by the due date indicated below.

Items Required for Design Review:

Schematic Review

• Landmarks Commission Design Review Application Form
• Site Location Map (district level)
• Site Context Plan (i.e., site plan showing adjoining properties, buildings, and street names)
• Existing Conditions Plan (color photographs; site context, including nearby buildings)
• Measured Site Plan (include north arrow, scale, legend, and key dimensions (setbacks from property lines, widths of structures and drives, etc.)
• Section / Elevation Drawings (to scale; including color versions, if requested)
• Floor Plans for projects involving additions, new placement of windows, new construction, and interior changes (typical floors)
• Illustrative Renderings if Design Review Advisory Committee requests (perspective or photo simulations to scale)
• Furnishings and Site Amenities (locations, details including manufacturing cut sheets)
• Conceptual Landscape and/or Streetscape Plan (identify changes or impacts to the public right of way, if any)
• Tree Preservation Plan (Applies to projects over 1 acre, or new construction > 4 units see Chapter 341.051, and contact Jennifer Kipp, JKipp@clevelandohio.gov)
• Storm Water Management Plan/Drawings & Determination Letter (if applicable – new construction, parking lots, etc.) Contact Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) if the project disturbs over 0.5 acres (CDPP@neorsd.org)

Final Review (all of the above, plus):

• Signage Plan (including wall signs, freestanding signs, illumination, method of attachment, colors, etc.)
• Lighting Plan (including locations, fixtures, heights, etc.)
• Material, Color and Finish Samples and Lists
• Final Landscape and or Streetscape Plan (with plant species list, number of plants and sizing of plants)

Due Dates:

Electronic submittals are required to be emailed to landmarks@clevelandohio.gov or as directed by noon at least seven days before the scheduled Design Review Advisory Committee meeting as a combined PDF file or PowerPoint presentation.

Submissions will be scheduled for a meeting once all required items have been received. Submissions may be delayed until all requested items are received by Landmarks staff.

Landmarks Commission Design Review Checklist and Application

Items Required: 

• Landmarks Commission Design Review Application Form
• Written Project Summary (include location, scale, potential code issues, & any other pertinent information)
• Site Location Map (district level)
• Site Context Plan (i.e., site plan showing adjoining properties, buildings, and street names)
• Existing Conditions (color photographs; site context, with nearby buildings; existing signage, etc.)
• Signage Location Plan and/or Master Signage Package (verify if any additional signage is planned)
• To-Scale Detailed Dimensioned Drawings (as noted below)
• Illustrative Renderings (perspective or photo simulations to scale)
• Material, Color, & Finish Samples and Lists

To-Scale Detailed Dimensioned Drawings: 

• Fully-dimensioned Existing & Proposed Signage
• Location of Signage on Structure:
  • Dimensioned vertically from ground plane/sidewalk (min. 10’ clearance above sidewalk & 16’ above vehicular pathways)
  • Dimensioned horizontally from Property Line/ROW & curb
• Section & Elevation Drawings (must show how signage relates to the existing architectural elements and any relevant adjacencies with dimensions)
• Shop Drawings (including how the signage will be affixed & engineered stamp if applicable)

Zoning Code Review Requirements: 

Note: Signage that includes electrical and/or structural components, or encroaches on the Public ROW (including during the installation process) requires additional permit review.

*Variances require Landmarks Commission (second and fourth Thursdays) review & approval.

• Signage square footage, length of bldg/unit’s street frontage, primary frontage & entrance(s)
• Type of Signage Included (check all that apply):
  • Wall Sign
  • Free-Standing/Monument Sign
    Projecting Sign
  • Window Sign (25% max coverage per window pane)
  • Canopy/Awning Sign
  • Roof Sign
  • Skyline/Hi-Rise Signage (Downtown/Flats area only, see attached skyline signage policy)
    • Identify Building Owner & Provide Letter of Approval/Authorization
    • Percentage of Building Occupied (over 50% typically required): ______________.
• Temporary Sign (banner, flag, pennant, window, portable, etc.)
• Changeable Copy Sign (automatic/manual)
• Billboard
• Other (please specify):
• Internally or Externally Lit? (If so, include night rendering & applicable drawings/plans):
   ☐ Yes / ☐ No 

*Note: Ownership/Authorized Decision-Maker & Design Representative should be present for the meeting, not just Fabricator. (No Ownership present to answer questions may cause delay in review process).

*Submissions are required in electronic form as one (1) compiled PDF and are due by noon seven days prior to the scheduled Design Review Advisory Committee meeting.

Email files to landmarks@clevelandohio.gov or as directed by Landmarks Commission Staff. Staff will review submissions for completion. Incomplete submissions may be subject to a delay in review and your permit will not be issued.

Cleveland Landmarks Commission Design Review Signage Checklist and Application

What Happens at PetBOT?

• PetBOT meetings provide an opportunity to educate design review applicants about the permitting processes involving elements in the streetscape or public right of way.
• Presentations at PetBOT are not the same as Design Review/Commission presentations; there is no approval process or voting that occurs.
• PetBOT does not review aesthetics of the interior or exterior of the building.
• Presentations should last around 5-10 minutes maximum, allowing for discussion with PetBOT.

The PetBOT Checklist, What to Present:
Note: All drawings will be legible and to scale

• Existing Conditions Site Plan
• Proposed Conditions Site Plan (all changes impacting the public right of way/streetscape)
• Include: dimensions, call outs, landscaping and street trees, site amenities, bicycle parking, curb cuts showing width and distance to corners, utilities, and turning radius diagrams (if applicable)
• Site Context Plan (Aerial view showing adjacent properties and streets; i.e. Google Street Views)
• Roadway Images (Photos of the road surrounding the property; i.e. Google Street Views)
• Anticipated construction start date
• Please do not submit the entire Design Review submittal package

Projects Commonly Reviewed at PetBOT:

• New construction or renovation projects
• Townhome projects
• Large-scale development projects
• Streetscape Plans

PetBOT meetings are virtual and occur Tuesdays at 11:00am-12:00pm, as needed.

Please coordinate with your Neighborhood Planner to be added to a PetBOT agenda before applying for Schematic Design approval.

At times, other departments are requested to join a meeting given the scope of work for the development project.

PetBOT Meeting Checklist

PetBOT Meeting Application