Clermont County amends subdivision rules to require bond or completed utilities before occupancy

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on July 9 adopted Resolution 101‑25, amending Section 801.B.2.b of the County Subdivision Regulations to clarify how the county will accept bonds or require completed utility construction before issuing building permits or certificates of occupancy.

Drew DeMarsh, Senior Planner with the Department of Community and Economic Development, presented the amendment, which specifies that the Clermont County Water & Sewer District/Sanitary Engineer may accept a bond in a form approved by the Prosecuting Attorney and that the bond amount shall equal the cost of construction and inspection plus 30 percent as approved by the Sanitary Engineer. The amendment also makes explicit that no building permits shall be issued until construction is complete or an accepted bond is in place and that a certificate of occupancy will not be issued until infrastructure improvements comply with the approved plans and the Subdivision Regulations.

The public hearing attracted no testimony or written correspondence; the Board closed the hearing at 10:09 a.m. and then moved to add the resolution to the agenda and adopt it. The adoption vote was unanimous: Commissioners Batchler and Corcoran voted Yes; Commissioner Painter joined the adoption vote Yes when added to the agenda.

The change affects developers and applicants proposing subdivisions served by county water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, and it formalizes financial surety and timing for issuance of permits and certificates of occupancy.