News and Information from Violet Township

What type of work needs a permit?

Building & Zoning permits are required for most construction in Violet Township. Permits are required for all new single and multifamily structures, additions, remodels, fire damages, decks, detached structures, electrical installations, swimming pools (in and above ground), fireplaces/wood burning stoves, demolitions, any structural changes, change of use, any commercial or residential construction or use.

Do I need a permit for a swimming pool? Above ground? In Ground?

Yes. For both, you need building, electrical and zoning permits. You will need drawings showing the construction of the proposed pool, as well as size, location and construction of the pool and fence, and the specifications for required fencing as it relates to the fence, gate latching, alarms or automatic pool covers.

Do I need a permit for a wood burning stove and/or fireplace?

Yes. Present manufacturer’s requirement for the particular stove you are considering installing; or show on drawings how the fireplace will be constructed.

What kind of drawings do I need for a garage, pole barn or deck?

Two (2) sets showing the wall section, truss drawings and floor plan. HVAC/Mechanicals and/or all electrical (if being installed) must also be shown and drawings provided.

What types of drawings do I need?

For residential construction, you would need two (2) sets of drawings consisting of a wall section and a floor plan, electrical and loads, HVAC/Mechanical, and truss plans.

For commercial construction, you would need three (3) sets of sealed drawings consisting of a wall section, floor plan, elevations, energy calculations, site plan, electrical/HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression/alarm, ADA requirements.

Plumbing is regulated and approved/inspected through the Fairfield County Board of Health.

What do I need for zoning?

A plot plan showing the size and location of the proposed construction as well as the dimensions for setbacks from the property lines is required. If any portion of the property lies within a Flood Plain, a Flood Hazard Permit obtained from Fairfield County is required. Construction of single family residences in more rural portions of the Township require private well and septic permits be obtained from Fairfield County Board of Health and provided with the application.

Why do I need a building or electrical permit?

To ensure that the structure meets all safety requirements of the local codes during construction through completion.

Do I need drawings for a sprinkler system, fire alarms, hoods?

Yes.

What do I need on my plot plan?

The plot plan needs to show the location of the proposed structure to meet the setback requirements established in the Zoning Code and all existing structures as well as any or all streams, creeks, ponds, etc. 1. The outline of the property showing all dimensions. 2. The proposed building or addition with distances to all property lines and other existing buildings and their dimensions on the property. 3. Show all walks and driveways. 4. The use of all structures, proposed and existing. 5. The number of family units or housekeeping units. 6. All easements of records or proposed easements. 7. All storm water management systems. 8. The limits of clearing, grading, excavation, or fill. 9. Elevations of the existing and proposed grades at each corner of the proposed building and at each corner of the building site. 10. If property has sanitary sewer, show sanitary sewer line and sewer invert elevation at point of connection of building sewer. Sewer and water permit to be granted by Fairfield County Health Department before a Building Permit can be issued or before construction is begun. 11. If property is to have onsite sewage disposal, such information as may be required by the Fairfield

County Board of Health must be included on the plot plan, and a permit from the Fairfield County

Board of Health must be issued before a building permit is granted or construction begins. 12. The driveway curb cut permit must be issued before a building permit is granted.

What can I do while waiting for my permit?

If you have been notified that items/ documentation is missing, respond to requests for this as soon as possible. Violet Township has the right to reject a submission if substantial or critical documentation is not provided, or, a variance or conditional use is required. If you are planning to start construction right away, you can excavate all you want AT YOUR OWN RISK, but you cannot pour any concrete until the permit has been issued and a footer inspection has been performed; or zoning has been approved.

How long does it take to approve plans?

Plan on all plan approvals that are not variance or conditional use applications to take up to 30 business days. All applications are assigned a number as they come in; therefore, the plans/application are checked in numerical order.

Do I need a permit for an agricultural structure?

If the Zoning Inspector has verified that the structure is being used in conjunction with a permitted agricultural use of the land, there is no building permit, only an electrical permit if electric is installed. Paperwork must be filed with the zoning office. As long as the structure is not to be used primarily as a retail or commercial structure, and the Building Department receives a copy of a letter of approval from zoning designating that the structure being built is being used in conjunction with the agricultural use of the land. If an

electric service is being installed on the building, then an electrical permit is required. A Flood Hazard Permit may also be required.

Certificate of Occupancy - How soon can I move into my new residence?

After you have passed all of your final inspections, the owner will be issued a “Certificate of Occupancy”.

NO OCCUPANCY IS APPROVED UNTIL THE CERTIFICATE OF OCCU-

Remember, a permit is required for the following projects:

• Additions • Carports • Change of Use (zoning, building and fire department) • Commercial Construction (ie. apartments, condos, churches, businesses, restaurants) • Cooling Systems • Construction Trailers • Decks (Including decks less than 2 feet above the ground), covered porches and patios, and pergolas • Demolitions • Detached Structures (such as detached garages), pole buildings/pole barns • Electrical Installations (includes generators, outlets, new service) • Fireplaces and Woodburning

Stoves • Fire Protection/Suppression

Systems/Fire Alarm/Sprinkler

Systems • Food Sales & Service (a permit is also required from Fairfield

County Health Department) • Garages (attached and detached) • Heating Systems • Kiosks • Lot Splits • Moving Buildings • Plumbing (from Fairfield County

Health Department) • Pool (Inground and Above

Ground) • Power Poles (temporary for construction and permanent for electric lines) • Range Hoods • Remodeling (involving structural, electrical or heating and cooling changes) • Right-of-Way – including driveways and ditch work • Septic Installation (from Fairfield County Health Department) • Sewer Tap (from Fairfield County Health Department) • Signs • Single Family Homes • Site Development (DESC) • Solar Panels • Storage Buildings and Sheds • Structural Repairs • Swimming Pools (above and inground) • Towers (ie. communication, water, etc.) • Water Lines (depends upon address) • Water Tap (depends upon address) • Well/Private Water System (from Fairfield County Health Department) • Other items we may have missed that are not listed above

If you are not sure, it is better to call and ask! 614-575-5556 or permitting@violet.oh.us

PANCY OR A CONDITIONAL TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY IS ISSUED.

CONTACT THE OFFICE TO DISCUSS REQUESTING A CONDTIONAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY, AS THESE ARE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS ONLY, AND USED ONLY RARELY.

Inspections

When do I need to call for an inspection?

When the stage of construction you’re working on is complete. Inspections must be requested by 2 p.m. the business day before the inspection is to be scheduled.

What type of inspections are required?

It depends on the type of construction you are performing. You could have the following: footer, slab, crawl, rough building, insulation, electric or mechanical, trench, fireplace, temporary pole, electrical service release, electric for a sump pump, final building, insulation, electric or mechanical, fire suppression testing.

When are the inspectors available for questions about my plans, my inspection(s)?

If you have a question for the inspector, you can email inspections@ violet.oh.us and we can get an answer back to you, or reach out to our inspector to contact you.

How to Reach Us

Violet Township Administrative Offices 10190 Blacklick-Eastern Rd., Pickerington, OH 43147 614-575-5556 www.violet.oh.us

Violet Township Fire Stations Phone 614-837-4123 Fire Chief: Michael Little #592: 8700 Refugee Rd. #591: 21 Lockville Rd. #593: 2365 Taylor Park Dr. Violet Township Service Center Phone: 614-382-5979 490 Center St. Pickerington, OH 43147

8700 Refugee Road, Pickerington OH 43147 614.837.4123 www.violet.oh.us From the Fire Department

A huge THANK YOU! Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During Power Outages

The Violet Township Fire Department Annual Toy Drive was a gigantic success, and what a great response we received from all of you! We know we serve a community filled with some of the most giving and compassionate people, but you always still amaze us with your incredible generosity. You can be proud of yourselves, your friends, and your families. And you can be certain that you absolutely made a difference for a child and a family this season. WAY TO GO EVERYONE. YOU ALL WERE AWESOME! Violet Township residents should be extremely careful when using a gas-powered generator or similar alternative heating or power sources. Improper operation or placement of such devices can lead to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Warning signs of CO poisoning are flu-like symptoms without fever (such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion). CO poisoning can also result in coma and death. CO is an odorless gas emitted when burning most fuels. Improper operation or placement of alternative heating or power sources can result in poisoning when CO gas builds-up in enclosed spaces.

Improper placement of a gasoline generator, such as in a basement or garage, could increase the risk of poisoning up to 300-fold. Using a kerosene heater in a room without any doors to other rooms opened, or failing to crack a window, also put people at increased risk for CO poisoning.

To Avoid CO Poisoning During Power Outages:

• Place generators outdoors in a well ventilated location • Ensure the generator is at least 15 feet away from home windows or doors • Ensure the generator is not place in an enclosed or semi-enclosed space (such as basement, cellar bulkhead, attached garage) where carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels. • Use kerosene heaters in a well ventilated room, by either keeping doors to other rooms open or keeping a window partially open (at least 1 inch) • Use only K-1 grade fuel in kerosene heaters •

Follow instructions for setting the wick height. • Do not use outdoor cooking devices indoors (such as gas or charcoal grills, gas camp stoves). • Do not use indoor gas cooking stoves for heat. • Keep chimney flue and a window open when burning decorative gas fireplace logs as a heat source. • Keep a carbon monoxide monitor certified by the Underwriters Laboratory, and available in many hardware stores. If battery powered, replace batteries at least annually.

If You Suspect CO Poisoning . . .

If you or anyone in the home suspect you are being poisoned by carbon monoxide: Leave the house immediately, and then call your local fire department or 911. Do not go back into the building until you know the CO levels are safe.

Winter fires ARE preventable!

The USFA’s Winter Residential Building Fires report showed that each winter an estimated 108,400 residential building fires occur in the United States, resulting in 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss. Cooking is the leading cause of winter residential building fires at 36 percent followed by heating at 23 percent. Winter residential building fires occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The winter season brings the highest number of home fires, more than at any other time of year. Home fires increase in part due to cooking and heating. Winter storms can also interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources that contribute to the increased risk of fire during the winter months.

The NFPA and USFA recommend following these safety tips to prevent winter home fires: • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove. • Space heaters need space; keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from each heater. • Check electrical cords often and replace cracked or damaged electrical or extension cords. Do not try to repair them. • Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home. They are not designed for this purpose and can be a fire hazard. In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) gas might kill people and pets. • Avoid using lighted candles. If you must use candles, place them in sturdy candleholders that won’t burn. • If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.