Franklin, Ohio is Warren County’s second-largest city with an active residential construction market. If you’re planning to build or replace a deck in Franklin, the City’s Building and Zoning Division handles your permits in-house, the process is fully online, and the department is accessible and responsive. This guide covers what you need to submit, what fees to expect, and how inspections work from start to finish.
Does My Deck Project Require a Permit in Franklin?
Yes — and Franklin is specific about which permits apply. For most deck projects in Franklin, you’ll need two separate permits:
| Permit Type | When Required | Fee |
| Building Permit | Required for Deck/Porch construction — listed explicitly by the City as a building permit project | Based on project scope; confirmed via email after plan review |
| Accessory Use Permit | Also required for decks — separate from the building permit | $50.00 application fee |
If your deck includes any plumbing work — an outdoor kitchen water line, a gas line for a grill or fire pit — those permits are obtained from the Warren County Board of Health, not the City of Franklin. Confirm your full permit requirements with the Building and Zoning Division before submitting at (937) 993-0842.
Where to Apply
| Detail | Information |
| Department | Building and Zoning Division, Department of Safety |
| Address | 1 Benjamin Franklin Way, Franklin, OH 45005 |
| Phone | (937) 993-0842 |
| Building Contact | Amber Copenhaver — acopenhaver@franklinohio.org |
| Online Permit Portal | franklinohio.org — Applications & Permits |
| Codes Enforced | 2019 Ohio Residential Code; Ohio State certified Building Division |
All permit applications are submitted through the online portal at franklinohio.org. If you are not the property owner, you must include a notarized letter of authorization from the property owner(s) designating you as their representative. A contract between owner and contractor alone is not sufficient.
Building Codes in Franklin
The City of Franklin Building Division is certified by the State of Ohio and enforces the 2019 Ohio Residential Code (RCO) for all residential construction. The 2019 RCO governs footing depth, framing member sizing, ledger attachment, guardrail and handrail heights, stair geometry, and fastener requirements for decks. Ohio’s frost depth is 32 inches — all deck footings must reach at least 32 inches below finished grade.
What to Submit with Your Deck Permit Application
Applications are submitted online. All attachments must be in PDF format with a maximum file size of 25MB per file. Name your files to match the document type (e.g., “Deck,” “Structural,” “Site Plan”) and include the property address on each sheet. Incomplete applications will delay processing.
For a residential deck, the standard submittal package includes:
- Completed Building Permit Application and Accessory Use Permit application — both required, available through the online portal
- Site plan showing property boundaries, existing structures, and proposed deck location with dimensions and setback distances to all property lines
- Framing plan including: ledger size and bolting method; floor joist size, span, and spacing; beam size and attachment to posts; and overall deck dimensions
- Framing sections showing beam-to-post connections; if attaching to the house, a ledger board section showing anchorage requirements
- Footing plan showing post hole locations, diameter, and depth (all footings must reach 32″ frost depth minimum)
- Elevation drawings showing deck height above grade, stair stringer attachment, handrail and guardrail locations and heights
- Notarized owner authorization letter if applicant is not the property owner
If you have questions about submittal requirements, contact Amber Copenhaver at (937) 993-0842 or acopenhaver@franklinohio.org.
The Review and Issuance Process
Franklin’s permit process is email-driven after initial online submission:
- Submit online through the portal at franklinohio.org with all required PDF attachments.
- Receive confirmation email once your application submittal has been received.
- Plan review is completed by the Building Division; email notification sent when review is complete.
- When the permit is ready, an email is sent with the total permit fees due.
- Once fees are paid, the permit and approved plans are sent via email. Print them or save on a tablet — both are accepted for job site documentation.
Permit Fees
The Accessory Use Permit fee is a flat $50.00, paid at time of application submission. Building permit fees for decks are calculated based on project scope and valuation — the total fee is confirmed via email after plan review. Confirm current fee structure with the Building Division at (937) 993-0842 before submitting if you want a fee estimate upfront.
Required Inspections
Inspections are required for all building permits and must be scheduled by calling (937) 993-0842. Residential inspections can be scheduled as soon as the next business day. On the morning of your scheduled inspection (7–8 AM), call the inspector directly to get a time frame. The permit and approved plans must be on site for every inspection — either a printed legible copy or an electronic copy on a tablet.
The standard inspection sequence for a residential deck under the 2019 RCO:
- Footing inspection — after post holes are excavated to frost depth (32″ minimum), prior to placement of concrete and before any framing begins.
- Framing inspection — after installation of all structural framing (posts, beams, ledger board, and floor joists). Decking boards cannot be installed until this inspection passes.
- Final inspection — after completion of the entire project including stairs, handrails, guardrails, and decking boards. The deck cannot be used until this passes.
Before You Dig: Ohio Utility Notification
Ohio law requires calling 1-800-362-2764 or dialing 811 at least 48 hours — and no more than 10 days — before any excavation. The Ohio Utilities Protection Service (OUPS) will mark buried utility lines. Free, mandatory, and applies to all footing excavation.
Franklin’s Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning
Deck projects must also comply with the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which regulates setbacks, location, height, and size of new and replacement accessory structures including decks, patios, and porches. Confirm your setback requirements for your zoning district with the Zoning Division at (937) 993-0842 before finalizing your deck footprint.
Quick Reference: Franklin Deck Permit Checklist
- Call Building and Zoning at (937) 993-0842 to confirm which permits apply for your specific project scope
- Confirm setback requirements for your zoning district before finalizing the deck footprint
- Confirm whether plumbing is involved — if so, obtain a separate permit from Warren County Board of Health
- Prepare site plan, framing plan, framing sections, footing plan, elevation drawings, and stair/railing details — all in PDF format, max 25MB per file
- Name PDF files to match document type; include property address on each sheet
- Prepare notarized owner authorization letter if applicant is not the property owner
- Submit Building Permit Application and Accessory Use Permit application via the online portal at franklinohio.org
- Pay $50 Accessory Use Permit fee at time of application submission
- Monitor email for review completion notification and permit fee total
- Pay building permit fee via email notification; download permit and approved plans upon issuance
- Keep permit and approved plans on site at all times (printed or on tablet)
- Call 811 or 1-800-362-2764 between 48 hours and 10 days before digging
- Schedule Footing inspection before pouring concrete — call (937) 993-0842
- Schedule Framing inspection before installing decking boards
- Schedule Final inspection before using the deck
Franklin is part of Warren County, and its two-permit structure and email-based workflow differ from neighboring Mason. For comparison, our guide on how Mason handles residential deck permits through its Engineering and Building Department covers the single-application, single-department process that applies inside Mason city limits.
If you’re also in the material planning phase, our regional overview of deck material suppliers in the Mason and West Chester corridor covers product availability at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards across the three major big-box options — all within reasonable distance of Franklin.
Building a Deck in Franklin? Talk to Deck Builders Cincinnati.
Deck Builders Cincinnati builds decks and outdoor living spaces throughout Warren County — including Franklin, Mason, and surrounding communities. We handle both permit applications alongside the build. Call us at (513) 586-3107 to talk through your project.