Facade and Fire Escape Inspection Programs
Façade Inspection Program Details
6/1/2020 - Please see the updated application forms at the bottom of the page
In an effort to preserve the unique building stock and protect those using our sidewalks and public spaces on a daily basis, the City of Cincinnati enacted ordinance no. 329-2016 on October 19, 2016, that requires periodic façade examinations of buildings five stories in height or 60 feet tall whichever is less. The program examination requirements and deadlines are based on the age of the subject building and must comply with the following:
- The building inspection form and report must be completed by a professional engineer or architect registered and authorized by the State of Ohio and include any recommended maintained repairs
- The inspection form and report must bear the seal and signature of the professional making the examination and report
- Three copies of the application and report must be submitted either in person or by mail to the Permit Center, 805 Central Avenue, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The application must be accompanied by the filing and review fee + 3% technology fee+1% financial recovery fee+1% training fee. Please see the current fee schedule for the review and filing fee at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/building-permit-forms-applications/permit-costs/. Checks made payable to the City of Cincinnati.
Fire Escape Inspection Program Details
In an effort to ensure the safety of those who live and work in buildings that use a fire escape as a means of egress, the City of Cincinnati enacted ordinance no. 329-2016 on October 19, 2016, that requires a periodic examination of all fire escapes in the City of Cincinnati. Program requirements and deadlines are based on the age of the subject building and must comply with the following:
- The inspection form and report must be completed by a professional engineer or architect registered and authorized by the State of Ohio and include any recommended maintained repairs
- The inspection form and report must bear the seal and signature of the professional making the examination and report
- Three copies of the application and report must be submitted either in person or by mail to the Permit Center, 805 Central Avenue, Suite 500, Cincinnati, OH 45202. The application must be accompanied by the filing and review fee + 3% technology fee+1% financial recovery fee+1% training fee. Please see the current fee schedule for the review and filing fee at https://www.cincinnati-oh.gov/buildings/building-permit-forms-applications/permit-costs/. Checks made payable to the City of Cincinnati.
Notices of examination requirements are being sent out to property owners whose building qualifies for one or both of these programs. The inspection form and report must be filed with the director of the Department of Buildings & Inspections within the 30 days following the established examination due date.
*A property owner who did not receive a notice of examination requirements, but whose building qualifies for one or both of these programs, is still obligated to comply with ordinance no. 329-2016.
For complete code requirement details please check CBC Section 1127-03 for the Façade Inspection program and CBC Section 1127-05 for the Fire Escape Inspection program. If you have additional questions please contact Sam Thompson Program Coordinator, at (513) 352-6218 or email at Sam.Thompson@cincinnati-oh.gov.
Buildings constructed before 1950 may be eligible to receive an extension on the examination due date if within the last 15 years the building was issued a Certificate of Occupancy after to a renovation that included the fire escapes and/or facades. If your building falls under this circumstance, contact the program coordinator Sam Thompson at Sam.Thompson@cincinnati-oh.gov for review.
Click HERE for a real-time report of design professionals who have filed reports for each program.
Reports and Checks can be delivered in person or mailed to:
Attention: Facade & Fire Escape
City of Cincinnati, Permit Center
805 Central Avenue, Suite 500
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Other Helpful Links
Ohio Architects Board Landscape Architects Board
Cincinnati Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
Ohio Professional Engineers Professional Surveyors
American Society of Civil Engineers - Cincinnati Section
Structural Engineers Association of Ohio