What requires a permit, what is exempt, and how the Residential Code of Ohio applies to outdoor living projects across Columbus and its suburbs — Upper Arlington, Bexley, Dublin, New Albany, and beyond. Reviewed August 2026.
Ohio's Residential Code (RCO) sets the baseline: permits are required for attached decks, roofed structures, and detached buildings of 200 square feet or more — one-story detached accessory structures under 200 square feet are exempt, including from frost footings. Pools holding more than 24 inches of water require a permit and a 48-inch barrier under Ohio Revised Code 3781.102, with self-closing, self-latching gates latched at least 54 inches above grade. Jurisdiction is the Columbus-metro wrinkle: the City of Columbus permits everything inside city limits, Franklin County serves the townships, and Upper Arlington, Bexley, Dublin, Hilliard, Westerville, and most suburbs run their own offices — the parcel decides which one.
At-grade paver and concrete patios are flatwork — generally no building permit, though each suburb's setbacks and drainage rules apply, and the older inner-ring suburbs review lot coverage closely. Anything structural bears below Ohio's 32-inch frost line, and retaining walls over four feet from the bottom of the footing typically require a permit and engineering.
Attached decks require a permit and inspections — frost-depth footings, ledger attachment, and guardrails. A detached one-story accessory structure under 200 square feet is exempt; a pavilion or pergola built for living space, attached to the home, or carrying electrical, gas, or a motorized louvered roof should be planned as permitted, engineered work. Allscape's Signature Series motorized pergolas are installed across the Columbus metro with stamped engineering in every application.
The short version of Ohio's rules for the three most common outdoor living projects. Confirm specifics with your city's building department — requirements are finalized at plan review.
No building permit for at-grade flatwork in most cases. City setbacks, lot coverage, and drainage apply. Retaining over four feet triggers engineering; structural elements bear below the 32-inch frost line.
Attached deck: permit required. Detached one-story structure under 200 sq ft: exempt, even from frost footings. Occupied, attached, or motorized structures: permitted, engineered work.
Permit required over 24 inches of water depth — plus a 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gates latched at 54 inches, per Ohio Revised Code 3781.102.
Franklin County including Columbus, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Grandview Heights, Dublin, Hilliard, Westerville, Worthington, Gahanna, and New Albany's Franklin County side. Delaware and Union County portions of Dublin and Westerville follow their own county guides — Allscape confirms the right office before submission.
