Richland County adopts updated building‑code fee schedules to take effect in January

The Richland County Board of Commissioners approved updated building‑code fee schedules on Dec. 5 after staff presenters recapped two public hearings and answered commissioners’ questions.

Steve Risser, representing the county building‑codes office, told commissioners the schedules include three separate lists: a residential schedule, a commercial schedule for properties inside Richland County and a separate commercial schedule for jurisdictions covered under the county’s contract enforcement work in Crawford and Wyandotte counties. “We’re trying to bridge the gap between revenue and expense,” Risser said, adding that the schedules were prepared with sensitivity to the current taxing climate and the contracting community’s expectations.

Risser said the board’s action would follow the Ohio Revised Code and the county’s adoption authority; the transcript records him saying any action “will become effective on the 30 first calendar day following adoption, which puts us at 01/02/2026.” He also noted the office is not proposing a separate expedited‑service fee but will formalize an expedited‑service policy for requests that need faster turnaround.

A commissioner moved to approve the fee schedules; the motion was seconded and recorded as approved by voice vote in the meeting transcript. The presenters and commissioners discussed keeping the county competitive while recovering program costs.

The board did not provide a detailed roll call tally in the meeting record; the action was recorded and scheduled to take effect as stated. County staff and the commissioners’ office can provide the adopted fee schedules and the formal effective date in the published meeting minutes and the clerk’s office.