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North Olmsted holds hearing on ordinance to align Certificates of Occupancy with fire code
Summary
At a Nov. 18 public hearing, City of North Olmsted officials discussed Ordinance 2025-92, which would repeal Ordinance 2017-32 and revise Chapter 1119 to require Certificates of Occupancy for both new construction and reused properties to resolve a conflict with the fire code; no public speakers addressed the measure.
North Olmsted held a public hearing on Nov. 18, 2025, on Ordinance 2025-92, a proposal to repeal Ordinance 2017-32 and replace Chapter 1119 of the Codified Ordinances to require Certificates of Occupancy for both new construction and business reuses, Economic Development Director Upton said.
Upton told the City Council that the change would resolve a mismatch between the city’s zoning code and the fire code. "The fire code says that every building should have a valid Certificate of Occupancy for the person that is actually operating that business at that time," Upton said, adding that the current zoning language allows a Certificate of Zoning Compliance for some reuses and that the mismatch causes challenges during fire safety inspections.
Upton thanked colleague Director Scofield for working on the legislation and said the city reviewed nearby municipalities including Fairview Park, Brook Park and Westlake, which require Certificates of Occupancy for both new buildings and reuses. He described implementation as "just modifying a workflow," and said the change should be seamless once the ordinance is adopted.
Council President Louis J. Brossard opened the hearing at 7:12 p.m. and asked the Clerk to read the ordinance. After Upton’s presentation, Mr. Brossard invited public comment limited to Ordinance 2025-92 and asked speakers to state their name and address; the record shows no members of the public came forward.
No vote was taken at the public hearing. Brossard said a committee meeting will be scheduled later for more in-depth questioning and next steps. The hearing was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
