Deck Permits in Unincorporated Hamilton County

If you live in Dent, Mack, or another unincorporated area of western Hamilton County, your deck permit does not come from a city building department. It comes from Hamilton County. This guide walks you through the process step by step, including where to apply, what documents you need, which inspections to expect, and who to contact along the way.

Hamilton County Buildings + Inspections: Quick Contact

Detail	Information
Office	Hamilton County Planning + Development, 138 East Court Street, 8th Floor, Room 801, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone	(513) 946-4550 (press 2 for permit questions)
Hours	Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Online Portal	ezTrak (eztrak.cagis.org)
Official Website	Hamilton County Buildings + Inspections

Why Does the County Handle My Permit?

Dent and Mack are unincorporated communities, which means they are not part of any city. They fall within Delhi Township and Green Township, respectively. While your township handles zoning certificates, the building permit itself is issued by the Hamilton County Division of Buildings + Inspections. This is the case for all unincorporated areas of Hamilton County.

This means you may need to work with two separate offices to get your deck built legally: your township for the zoning certificate, and the county for the building permit. More on that below.

Step 1: Get a Zoning Certificate From Your Township

Before Hamilton County will issue a building permit, you need a zoning certificate from your local township. This confirms that your proposed deck meets zoning rules for setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, and allowed uses.

Which township office you contact depends on where your property is located:

If You Live In	Contact	Phone
Dent (Delhi Township)	Delhi Township Planning + Zoning, 5031 Delhi Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45238	(513) 922-2705
Mack (Green Township)	Green Township Zoning Department, 6303 Harrison Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45247	(513) 574-1000

For a deck in Delhi Township, you will fill out the Zoning Certificate Application for Accessory Structures, which includes a checkbox specifically for decks. Submit a site plan showing where the deck will go, distances to all property lines, and dimensions of the structure.

Once the township approves your zoning certificate, you can move on to the county building permit.

Step 2: Apply for a Building Permit Through Hamilton County

As of February 2025, Hamilton County handles all permit applications through its digital portal called ezTrak. You can submit your application, upload plans, pay fees, and schedule inspections all online.

How to Apply Through ezTrak

Create an account at eztrak.cagis.org.
Start a new permit application. Select your property address and choose the deck permit type.
Upload your plans. Include your construction drawings, site plan, and the approved zoning certificate from your township. Residential plans typically require three sets of plans plus a digital PDF copy.
Pay the application fee. Fees are based on the estimated value of the project. Hamilton County accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover through the portal. A convenience fee applies for credit card payments.
Track your status. Once submitted, you can monitor the review progress for all approving agencies in one place through ezTrak.

If you prefer to apply in person, you can still visit the Planning + Development office at 138 East Court Street, 8th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202 during business hours.

What to Include in Your Deck Plans

Document	What to Include
Site Plan	A drawing of your property showing the proposed deck location, distances to all property lines, the house, and any other structures on the lot.
Construction Drawings	Deck dimensions, footing locations and sizes, post sizes, beam and joist sizes and spacing, ledger board attachment details, railing height, baluster spacing, and stair details including rise, run, and width.
Material Specifications	Type of decking material (pressure-treated lumber, composite, etc.), fastener specifications, joist hanger details, and concrete footing strength (minimum 2,500 PSI).
Zoning Certificate	Your approved zoning certificate from Delhi Township or Green Township. The county will not issue a building permit without it.

Step 3: Plan Review

After you submit, Hamilton County routes your plans to all necessary reviewing agencies. For a standard residential deck, the primary review is through the Buildings + Inspections division, but your plans may also be reviewed by storm water or other agencies if applicable.

Residential plan reviews typically begin within 6 to 10 business days of a complete submission. Ohio law requires a decision within 30 days. Incomplete applications or missing documents are the most common cause of delays, so make sure everything is included when you submit.

Ohio Residential Code Requirements for Decks

Hamilton County follows the Ohio Residential Code, which means your deck must meet the same structural standards that apply across the Cincinnati area. Below are the key requirements for most residential deck projects.

Requirement	Standard
Footing Depth	Minimum 30 inches below finished grade (Cincinnati-area frost line).
Footing Material	Cast-in-place concrete, minimum 2,500 PSI compressive strength, minimum 8 inches thick.
Lumber	Pressure-treated for exterior use. Structural framing should be No. 2 grade or better.
Fasteners & Hardware	Hot-dip galvanized, stainless steel, or rated for use with treated lumber. Bolts minimum 1/2-inch diameter.
Guard Rails	Required when any part of the deck floor is more than 30 inches above grade. Minimum 36 inches tall. Balusters spaced so a 4-inch sphere cannot pass through.
Stair Handrails	34 to 38 inches above stair nosing. Must terminate into a post or return to a wall at both ends.
Design Loads	40 lbs per square foot live load minimum. 10 lbs per square foot dead load.
Ledger Attachment	Must be positively connected to the house structure with lag screws or through-bolts per Ohio Residential Code. Flashing required to prevent moisture intrusion.
Stair Lighting	All exterior stairs and associated landings must be illuminated.

Required Inspections

Once your permit is issued and construction begins, Hamilton County will require inspections at key stages. For a standard residential deck, plan on at least two:

Footing Inspection: After holes are dug but before concrete is poured. The inspector verifies depth (minimum 30 inches), diameter, and soil conditions. Do not pour concrete until you pass this inspection.
Final Inspection: After the deck is completely built. The inspector checks the overall structure, railings, stairs, fasteners, ledger attachment, and confirms the build matches the approved plans.

All inspections are scheduled through ezTrak. If your deck includes electrical work, that inspection is handled separately (see below).

Inspection Contact Information

Inspection Type	Agency	Phone
Footing, Final Building	Hamilton County Buildings + Inspections, 138 E. Court St, 8th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202	(513) 946-4550
Electrical	Inspection Bureau Incorporated (IBI), 250 W. Court St, Cincinnati, OH 45202	(513) 381-6080
Plumbing (if applicable)	Hamilton County Public Health, 250 William Howard Taft, Cincinnati, OH 45219	(513) 946-7852

Small Structure Exemption: Does My Deck Need a Permit?

Hamilton County does allow an exemption for certain small accessory structures. Residential accessory structures of 200 square feet or less may not require a building permit, as long as the exterior walls are at least 6 feet from any other structure on the lot and at least 3 feet from all property lines.

However, this exemption is aimed primarily at sheds and small outbuildings. If your deck is attached to your house, it is not an independent accessory structure and will almost certainly require a permit. Even if your deck is freestanding and under 200 square feet, you should still call Hamilton County at (513) 946-4550 to confirm whether your specific project qualifies.

Keep in mind that even if a building permit is not required, you still need a zoning certificate from your township.

Common Questions

What is the difference between a zoning certificate and a building permit?

A zoning certificate confirms your project complies with local land-use rules (setbacks, lot coverage, height). It is issued by your township. A building permit confirms your project meets structural and safety codes. It is issued by Hamilton County. You need both.

Can I apply for both at the same time?

You need the zoning certificate first. Hamilton County will not issue a building permit without zoning approval from the local authority. Get your zoning certificate from Delhi Township or Green Township before submitting to the county.

Can I pull my own permit as a homeowner?

Yes. Homeowners can apply for their own building permit in Hamilton County. You do not need to be a licensed contractor. The work still needs to pass all required inspections.

How much does a deck permit cost?

Permit fees are based on the estimated value or scope of your project. Hamilton County publishes a fee schedule on their website. For a specific estimate, call (513) 946-4550.

What happens if I build without a permit?

If you begin construction without the required permits, Hamilton County can issue a stop-work order and charge an investigation fee on top of the regular permit fee. Unpermitted work can also create issues with your homeowner’s insurance and complicate a future home sale.

How do I know if I’m in an unincorporated area?

If your mailing address says “Cincinnati” but you are not within the city limits of Cincinnati or any other incorporated municipality, you are likely in an unincorporated township. The communities of Dent and Mack are unincorporated. If you are not sure, call Hamilton County at (513) 946-4550 and they can confirm which jurisdiction covers your property.

Related Guides

If you are deciding between wood and composite for your new deck, our comparison of permit differences between composite and wood decks breaks down how material choices can affect your project in the Cincinnati area.

Building in nearby Cheviot instead? See our Cheviot deck permit requirements guide for a look at how the process differs in an incorporated city just minutes away.

Helpful Links and Resources

Planning a Deck or Patio in the Dent or Mack Area?

Platinum Deck and Patio builds code-compliant decks and patios across unincorporated Hamilton County, including Dent, Mack, Harrison, and Cheviot. We handle the township zoning process, county building permits, and all inspections so you don’t have to.

Call (513) 586-3107

deckcontractorscincinnati.com

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Building codes and permit requirements can change. Always confirm current requirements directly with Hamilton County Buildings + Inspections at (513) 946-4550 and your local township zoning office before starting your project.

Deck Permits in Unincorporated Hamilton County (Dent and Mack Area)