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Contractor Registration

The City of Cincinnati requires all contractors performing work in the City of Cincinnati limits, to maintain a current contractor registration, which must be renewed on an annual basis, per the City of Cincinnati Municipal Code Chapter 1106 ordinance 42-2011. NOTE: All crane operators and crane equipment are now required to be registered with the City of Cincinnati.
 
We cannot issue building permits until all applicable contractors are registered. 
 

Who's Exempt From Registering?

  • The owner of a 1-, 2- or 3-family dwelling regulated by the Residential Code of Ohio is exempt from registration -- as long as the homeowner personally performs the work upon the premises and will occupy the residence for at least one year after the work is complete.
  • If the property owner is physically unable to work on the premises, family members/volunteers may assist with the work. This circumstance will be reviewed on an individual basis.
  • Maintenance work as described in Cincinnati Building Code  1101.17 that is performed by the property owner would be allowable without registration.
  • An architect, professional engineer, or any other such person who is required by the Ohio Revised Code to attain standards of competency or experience is considered a professional service provider. When such an individual is acting exclusively within the scope of the profession for which they are either licensed or registered, they are exempted from registration as a contractor.

How To Register

 

How To Register

The City's Contractor Registration Section provides information to assist with the registration and renewal process for contractors, as well as property owners in the city of Cincinnati looking to find a registered contractor.  The contractor registration section will review information for accuracy and enter your information into our database.  All contractor registration information must be submitted in a single packet.  When all approvals are obtained a registration is issued.

City registration of State-licensed contractors is valid until the State license expires. City registration for all other contractors is valid for one year from the date the registration is issued.

To register, simply download the "Contractor Registration Checklist & Application" and complete all required forms.

The fee for a contractor's initial registration is $125.00 + 3% technology surcharge and a 1% financial recovery fee + 1% training surcharge will be added to all scheduled fees = TOTAL $131.25 per year for up to (3) years.

Pay in person or by mail:  Permit Center, Contractor Registration, 805 Central Ave., Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH  45202.  Checks should be made payable to the "City of Cincinnati." or email all forms to ccpbpermitcenter@cincinnati-oh.gov and a representative will contact you for payment once your application or renewal has been processed

Questions? Please call the Contractor Registration Section at  513-352-3271 and select OPTION 1.