Bolthole Index

Tuscarawas County, Ohio

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Tuscarawas County, Ohio

54Index Score / 100
#34 of 88 in Ohio

Building permits in unincorporated Tuscarawas County, Ohio, depend on the project: ECOBA reviews work within the Ohio Building Code, but ordinary detached non-transient one-, two-, and three-family homes not connected to commercial use fall outside its jurisdiction1. The county has no countywide zoning resolution; township and municipal zoning varies, and the county health department permits septic systems234.

At a glance

Detached home
Outside ECOBA jurisdiction for non-transient one-, two-, and three-family homes; local zoning approval may still apply1
Zoning
No countywide zoning resolution; township and municipal rules vary, and Sandy Township publishes district-specific rules256
Septic permits
TCHD permit before installation or repair, installation inspections and a continuously renewed operation permit4789
RV camping
Private-land occupancy is locally controlled; Sandy Township limits camps, and state campground rules do not cover your own land101112
Manufactured home
A permanently sited home cannot be barred where single-family homes are allowed, but uniform zoning, installation and occupancy rules apply131415
County-road driveway
Permit required for a new driveway or change of use16
Owner-builder
No blanket permit exemption; covered work still needs plan approval before construction17
Minimum lot (split)
1 1/2 acres with no public water or sewer, or the township-zoning minimum if larger18

Who to call

Building permits

East Central Ohio Building Authority

Building permits, plan review and inspections under the Ohio Building Code for unincorporated Tuscarawas County townships (and the cities of Dover and New Philadelphia)

(330) 364-3164

contact@ecohba.com

339 Oxford Street, Dover, OH 44622

Septic permits

Tuscarawas County Health Department, Environmental Health

Private water system (well) and sewage treatment system (septic) permits, inspections and records for Tuscarawas County

(330) 343-5550

897 East Iron Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622-2030

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 14, 2026.

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Do you need a building permit in Tuscarawas County, Ohio?

The answer depends on the project and where it sits. Projects subject to the Ohio Building Code in unincorporated Tuscarawas County must go to ECOBA, not the State of Ohio19. ECOBA provides plan approval and inspections for structures within the Ohio Building Code in unincorporated Tuscarawas County, but detached non-transient one-, two-, and three-family dwellings not connected to commercial use fall outside ECOBA jurisdiction1. Those homes still must comply with the Residential Code of Ohio, and the city, village or township decides whether a residential zoning permit is needed1. An owner-builder has no blanket exemption from approval: where a certified building department has jurisdiction, the owner must submit plans and wait for approval before covered work begins17. Agricultural buildings may qualify for separate zoning and building-code protections, but the exemptions are conditional and should be confirmed for the proposed use20. Covered residential work is inspected, and occupancy requires a certificate of occupancy or completion2122.

Who handles building permits in Tuscarawas County?

ECOBA is the building authority for projects within the Ohio Building Code in the unincorporated townships of Tuscarawas County1. Reach ECOBA at 339 Oxford Street, Dover, OH 44622, by phone, or at contact@ecohba.com to confirm whether a project falls within its jurisdiction23. For covered projects, ECOBA calls for sealed construction documents, electronic plans and supporting materials, paid fees before plans or inspections are released, advance inspection requests, and a final certificate of occupancy after required inspections24. ECOBA publishes separate commercial and special-structure charges, including processing, plan-examination, inspection and certificate fees; ask for a current calculation before budgeting25. An ordinary detached home outside ECOBA jurisdiction still needs a local zoning check1. Inside New Philadelphia, new residential construction has its own city application, fees, setbacks and lot-coverage review26.

Does Tuscarawas County have zoning?

Tuscarawas County has no countywide zoning resolution, but township and municipal zoning varies23. County regulations identify Dover, Lawrence and Sandy as townships with zoning as of 2019, but that dated list does not establish every township's current status5. Inside city limits, Dover runs its own zoning through zoning certificates and a Board of Zoning Appeals27, and Uhrichsville has its own zoning code too28; county and township zoning do not apply there. Sandy Township has its own zoning inspector and district rules2930. Sandy Township's R-1 and R-2 districts require at least 1,200 square feet of floor area, and setbacks and height limits vary by district313233. We could not confirm a countywide tiny-home or accessory-dwelling rule, so ask the applicable township zoning inspector or municipal code office. Ohio law bars township zoning from prohibiting or restricting a permanently sited manufactured home in a district where a single-family home is permitted, though uniform single-family requirements (but not roof-pitch minimums) and private deed restrictions can still apply1513.

How do septic permits work in Tuscarawas County?

The Tuscarawas County Health Department is the local authority for household sewage treatment systems4. TCHD requires an installation permit before a sewage system is installed, constructed, repaired, replaced, or altered; site and plan approval come first7. A lot split under 5 acres also needs TCHD septic approval when sanitary sewer is unavailable; that rule does not establish a universal requirement to connect every parcel to public utilities34. The health department inspects installation and must inspect the completed system again no later than 12 months after installation approval8. Every home sewage treatment system needs a continuously renewed operation permit, while service reports, pumping reports or service contracts can document compliance because TCHD does not personally inspect every system for every permit condition935. Only about 2.4% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for conventional drain fields, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency36.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Tuscarawas County?

Tuscarawas County has no countywide zoning resolution, but long-term RV and tiny-home occupancy can still depend on township or municipal zoning and sewage approval2337. Sandy Township treats camping by tent, tent trailer or recreational vehicle as temporary occupancy and allows camps only in designated districts on parcels of at least 10 acres, with buildings at least 100 feet from property lines38. Those rules do not establish permission for permanent RV residence. Ohio's campground rules (a license, sites of at least 1,000 square feet, one RV per site) govern campgrounds, not a private parcel, so they do not answer whether you can live in an RV on your own land12. We could not confirm a countywide private-land RV or tiny-home occupancy rule; ask the township or municipal zoning authority and TCHD. Sandy Township's published rules limit manufactured homes to approved parks unless the resolution otherwise authorizes them, and impose specific standards on permanently sited manufactured homes39. A manufactured home generally cannot be occupied until an inspector issues the installation seal14.

Building a home in Tuscarawas County: the steps, in order

  1. Identify whether the parcel is in a city, village, or unincorporated township, then get the local zoning answer40.
  2. Ask ECOBA or the local building office to confirm jurisdiction; ECOBA handles Ohio Building Code work in unincorporated townships, while ordinary detached homes are outside its jurisdiction1.
  3. Obtain Regional Planning Commission approval before recording a subdivision or qualifying lot split in unincorporated Tuscarawas County41.
  4. Obtain a Flood Plain Development Permit before developing within floodplain limits of unincorporated Tuscarawas County; some floodplain areas may bar development42.
  5. Have TCHD approve the septic site and plans, then obtain the installation permit before work7.
  6. Obtain the TCHD private-water-system permit before constructing or altering a well, and obtain a county-road driveway permit where applicable4316.
  7. Complete applicable inspections and occupancy approval, then keep the septic operation permit current21229.

What to check before you buy land in Tuscarawas County

Verify zoning with the township or municipality because Tuscarawas County has no countywide zoning resolution and local rules vary240. Make the offer contingent on septic feasibility because only about 2.4% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for conventional drain fields36. Check the flood map early because a Flood Plain Development Permit is required to develop within floodplain limits of unincorporated Tuscarawas County42. Unincorporated subdivisions need approval before a plat is recorded or a lot is sold from it41. A minor subdivision or lot split with no public water or sewer needs at least 1 1/2 acres (65,340 square feet) and 130 feet of frontage, or the township-zoning minimum if larger18. Confirm groundwater and well-permit feasibility with TCHD, and confirm road access because a new or changed-use driveway on a county road requires a permit4316.

Watch-outs

  • Do not assume ECOBA issues the permit for an ordinary detached home: detached non-transient one-, two-, and three-family dwellings not connected to commercial use fall outside ECOBA jurisdiction but still must comply with the Residential Code of Ohio1.
  • Tuscarawas County has no countywide zoning resolution, but that does not eliminate township or municipal zoning240.
  • A county-road driveway permit is required for a new driveway or a proposed change of use to an existing driveway16.

Sources

  1. Step-by-Step Guide — East Central Ohio Building Authority, quoted and re-checked
  2. Building Permits/Zoning in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, quoted and re-checked
  3. Tuscarawas County Ohio Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  4. Water Quality Program (Well and Septic), quoted and re-checked
  5. Subdivision Regulations of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, quoted and re-checked
  6. Zoning Commission Page, quoted and re-checked
  7. Water Quality Program (Well and Septic), quoted and re-checked
  8. Water Quality Program (Well and Septic), quoted and re-checked
  9. Operation and Maintenance Program, quoted and re-checked
  10. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  11. Rule 3701-26-04 — Responsibilities of the licensee, quoted and re-checked
  12. Rule 3701-26-04 — Responsibilities of the licensee, quoted and re-checked
  13. Ohio Revised Code Section 3781.184 — Federal manufactured home construction and safety standards, quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 4781-7 | Manufactured home inspections (Ohio statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Ohio Revised Code Section 519.212 — Location of permanently sited manufactured home, quoted and re-checked
  16. APPLICATION FOR DRIVEWAY PERMIT, quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 3791.04 | Submission of plan - approvals - prohibition - fine (Ohio statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. 2018 Subdivision Regulations Final, quoted and re-checked
  19. Jurisdiction — East Central Ohio Building Authority, quoted and re-checked
  20. Section 303.21 | Limitations on powers - agricultural purposes, quoted and re-checked
  21. Rule 4101:8-1-01 | Administration — Section 108, quoted and re-checked
  22. Rule 4101:8-1-01 | Administration — Section 111, quoted and re-checked
  23. East Central Ohio Building Authority (ecohba.com)
  24. Jurisdiction, quoted and re-checked
  25. East Central Ohio Building Authority Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  26. New Residential Construction Application, quoted and re-checked
  27. Dover: Dover Codified Ordinances, Part Eleven - Planning and Zoning Code (Tuscarawas County), quoted and re-checked
  28. Uhrichsville: Uhrichsville unofficial zoning map (Tuscarawas County), quoted and re-checked
  29. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  30. SANDY TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION, quoted and re-checked
  31. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  32. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  33. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  34. Water Quality Program (Well and Septic), quoted and re-checked
  35. Operation and Maintenance Program, quoted and re-checked
  36. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  37. Water Quality Program (Well and Septic), quoted and re-checked
  38. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, quoted and re-checked
  39. Sandy Township Zoning Resolution, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, quoted and re-checked
  40. Building Permits/Zoning in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, quoted and re-checked
  41. Subdivision Regulations of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, quoted and re-checked
  42. Tuscarawas County Subdivision Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  43. Water Quality Program (Well and Septic), quoted and re-checked

Written October 14, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 4 of its 6 neighbors, Tuscarawas County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleTuscarawas CountyCarroll CountyHolmes CountyHarrison CountyCoshocton CountyStark CountyGuernsey County
Building permitRequiredLimitedNot requiredRequiredNot requiredRequiredNot required
County zoningNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.County General Health DistrictCounty General Health DistrictCounty General Health DistrictCounty Health Dept.County Combined General Health DistrictCambridge-Guernsey County Health Dept.

County locator

Tuscarawas County in Ohio

54
County map
Tuscarawas County highlighted among the Ohio counties · colored by Index score

How Tuscarawas County scores

Seclusion29100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness4290% ev.
Durability83100% ev.
Property Autonomy35100% ev.
Carry Cost73100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$220kTypical home
1.1%Property tax
$7,082Land / acre
40.9"Annual rain
2% of yrsSevere drought
2.4 / yr (+2.3)Mid-century 100°F days
11.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.61" (+5.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.79×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,098Home insurance / yr
0.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.83%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
75,388People within 30 min
7,859,209People within 2 hr
93,210Radius comparison (15 mi)
161.9People / sq mi
3%Federal land
40.2%Land at 15% slope or less
2.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
8,510 acWorkable land screen
55.8%Wooded land
57.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
51.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Tuscarawas County

Inside a city, town or township here, that government usually sets zoning and may issue its own building permits; the county’s rules above cover land outside them.

Not yet researched: Auburn Township · Village of Baltic · Village of Barnhill · Village of Bolivar · Bucks Township · Clay Township · Village of Dennison · Dover Township · Fairfield Township · Franklin Township · Village of Gnadenhutten · Goshen Township · Jefferson Township · Lawrence Township · Village of Midvale · Mill Township · Village of Mineral City · New Philadelphia · Village of Newcomerstown · Oxford Township · Village of Parral · Perry Township · Village of Port Washington · Village of Roswell · Rush Township · Salem Township · Sandy Township · Village of Stone Creek · Village of Strasburg · Sugar Creek Township · Village of Sugarcreek · Village of Tuscarawas · Uhrichsville · Union Township · Warren Township · Warwick Township · Washington Township · Wayne Township · York Township · Village of Zoar

Answers from the rulebook for Tuscarawas County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Tuscarawas County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Building-code plan approval and inspection for structures within ECOBA's Tuscarawas County jurisdiction, including unincorporated townships, but excluding detached non-transient one-, two-, and three-family dwellings not connected to commercial use.

    • ECOBA's current guide states that detached one-, two-, and three-family dwellings that are non-transient and not connected to commercial use do not fall within ECOBA's jurisdiction.
    • Those detached one-, two-, and three-family dwellings must still comply with the current Residential Code of Ohio.
    • For those residential dwellings, the applicant must contact the local city, village, or township to determine whether a residential zoning permit is necessary.
    • ECOBA's jurisdiction excludes incorporated areas of Port Washington, Barnhill, and Roswell; plumbing provisions remain under the Ohio Department of Commerce.
    “ECOBA provides plan approval and inspection services for all buildings and structures within the scope of the Ohio Building Code. Detached one, two, or three family dwellings that are non-transient and not connected to commercial use do not fall within our jurisdiction but are required to be constructed in compliance with the current residential code of Ohio.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction projects subject to the Ohio Building Code in the unincorporated townships of Tuscarawas County.
      “Construction projects within these jurisdictions that subject to the Ohio Building Code are required to be submitted to the ECOBA”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    A countywide zoning resolution administered by Tuscarawas County.

    • The county letter is dated March 10, 2014; later township or municipal zoning rules may apply.
    “Tuscarawas County does not have a county zoning resolution in effect.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    The countywide aggregate of local zoning in Tuscarawas County, including township areas and incorporated municipalities; the countywide conclusion aggregates locally administered rules and does not mean the county administers each local ordinance.

    • The official county subdivision regulations state that minor subdivisions must comply with township zoning regulations where zoning exists.
    • The regulations identify Dover, Lawrence, and Sandy as having township zoning as of 2019.
    • The source does not identify the remaining townships or establish that they have no zoning.
    • Separate municipal zoning may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    • The cited regulations were revised effective January 1, 2019; this is the regulations' revision date, not a current countywide zoning-adoption date.
    “7. Zoning – The minor subdivision must be in compliance with township zoning regulations where zoning exits. (As of 2019, Dover, Lawrence, and Sandy)”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate local zoning coverage across unincorporated Tuscarawas County; zoning is administered by townships where adopted, not uniformly by the county.
      “Zoning – The minor subdivision must be in compliance with township zoning regulations where zoning exits. (As of 2019, Dover, Lawrence, and Sandy)”
    • Varies (with conditions) — Local zoning across Tuscarawas County, aggregated from township and municipal authorities.
      “Cities and Villages within the County. Contact the city or village for applicable building regulations and permits.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential minor subdivisions and subdivision lots in unincorporated Tuscarawas County.

    • The minimum lot size is subject to township zoning where applicable, and the greater requirement controls.
    • For one residence, the chart lists 10,000 square feet with public water and sewer, 20,000 square feet with public sewer only, and 65,340 square feet with public water only or with neither public water nor sewer.
    • Easements, rights-of-way, flood hazard areas, bodies of water, wetlands, pipestem driveways, and dedicated private drives cannot be included in minimum lot acreage.
    • Where no public water or sewer is available, County Health District review may be required and groundwater adequacy must be checked.

    one-residence minimum lot size with public water and sewer: 10,000 sq. ft. (0.23 acre) · one-residence minimum lot size with public sewer only: 20,000 sq. ft. (0.46 acre) (Check with County Health Department for adequate ground water supply.) · one-residence minimum lot size with public water only or neither public water nor sewer: 65,340 sq. ft. (1 1/2 acres) (Check with County Health Department for adequate ground water supply.)

    “Easements(includes public road right of way), rights of ways for egress and ingress, flood hazard areas, bodies of water, wetlands, pipestem (the “pole” of a flag lots) driveways, and DPDs cannot be included in the lot acreage minimum. Structures, wells, and on lot sewage systems cannot be located in the public road right-of-way. Unless otherwise noted, county and township road right- of- way is 60’.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Minor subdivisions and lot splits in unincorporated Tuscarawas County.
      “The minimum lot size of any minor subdivision shall be as shown in the Residential Lot Minimums Chart in the Appendix or as required by township zoning, whichever is greater.”
  • Who permits septicLocal

    Household sewage treatment systems in the Tuscarawas County Health District.

    • Ohio statewide sewage rules also apply.
    • The local health district issues and administers permits under the applicable Ohio Administrative Code requirements.
    “You must obtain a permit from TCHD before starting any construction or repair work on your sewage system.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New installation, construction, repair, replacement, or alteration of a sewage treatment system within the Tuscarawas County Health District.

    • A TCHD permit must be obtained before construction or repair work begins.
    • The site and plans must be reviewed and approved before the installation permit application may be submitted.
    • The official TCHD procedure states that a soil evaluation is required for every lot and must be submitted to TCHD; however, the official permit form expressly allows the Board of Health to waive the soil evaluation and requires the reason for the waiver to be stated.
    • The permit application requires the appropriate fee and approved site review, design, and other applicable documentation.
    • Installation must be completed by a registered installer, except that a homeowner may install the system if specific registration requirements are met; homeowner installations remain subject to the same OAC 3701-29 permitting and installation requirements.
    • The local health district performs a final inspection and approves or disapproves the installation.
    • The installation, replacement, or alteration permit is valid for one year from the date issued and may be revoked before expiration if site conditions, work quality, or other conditions are not compliant with OAC Chapter 3701-29.

    permit validity: 1 year (from the date issued by the Board of Health) · site and plan review time: >= 10 business days minimum (corrections may delay approval)

    “You must obtain a permit from TCHD before starting any construction or repair work on your sewage system.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Operation and maintenance of every Home Sewage Treatment System within the Tuscarawas County Health District.
      “As part of the Operation & Maintenance Program, every homeowner with a Home Sewage Treatment System (HSTS) must obtain and continuously renew an Operation Permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of sewage treatment systems in the Tuscarawas County Health District.

    • The board of health must inspect the installation in a timely manner.
    • Additional inspections may be required by the permit, product approval, or applicable rule.
    • The completed system must be inspected again not later than twelve months after installation approval.
    • Additional inspection fees may apply for partial approvals or incremental replacement plans.

    post-approval inspection deadline: <= 12 months

    “The board of health shall inspect the completed system again not later than twelve months after the approval of the installation to observe the system's operation.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Ongoing inspection and maintenance compliance for HSTS systems in the Tuscarawas County Health District.
      “TCHD has opted NOT to perform inspections of all systems to demonstrate compliance with permit conditions, as some other counties have.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    On-site sewage treatment systems used where sanitary sewer is unavailable in Tuscarawas County.

    • For lot splits under five acres, septic approval is required if sanitary sewer is unavailable.
    • New, replacement, or altered STS work requires a permit before construction or repair begins.
    • Site, soil, design, installation, operation, and maintenance requirements apply.
    • A final installation inspection and operation permit are required under the applicable rules.
    “You must obtain a permit from TCHD before starting any construction or repair work on your sewage system.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, conversion, testing, sealing, or decommissioning of a private water system or test well within the Tuscarawas County Health District, including private wells used for human consumption or potable purposes.

    • A valid permit from the board of health is required before construction, alteration, or sealing begins, except that a person sealing a well or decommissioning another private water system not being replaced must apply no later than five business days after the sealing or decommissioning.
    • Permit applications must include the required information, site plan, applicable fees, and the fee for at least one water sample for any alteration, conversion, or new construction permit.
    • Emergency construction or alteration may begin before permit issuance only when the existing system fails to produce adequate potable water, poses an immediate threat to health and safety, no alternative potable source exists, the work begins during non-business hours or before the board's ten-business-day review period ends, the contractor notifies the board of health the next business day, and the permit application is submitted within three business days; emergency work is unavailable where no existing or partially constructed structure exists and is generally unavailable where additional plans are required.
    • Plans are required for specified systems, including systems serving a building, systems serving more than a one-, two-, or three-family dwelling, cistern/spring/pond systems, wells in designated flowing-well areas, sources within 300 feet of a land application area, drive-point wells, buried pressure tanks, gasoline-powered pumps, continuous disinfection or filtration systems, and specified point-of-entry treatment systems.
    • The board of health may deny noncompliant applications; the property owner or designated agent must receive an opportunity to appeal within thirty days after denial, with a hearing provided if requested.
    • A permit automatically expires if the system has not been constructed, sealed, or altered within one year from issuance; the board of health may extend it for six months, with possible additional extension for correction of construction violations.
    • The private water system may not be used for human consumption until approved by the board of health.
    • The Tuscarawas County Health Department's 2026 fee schedule lists a $484 total fee for single-family or multifamily installation permits excluding ponds, $274 for construction of a test well, $299 for conversion of a non-approved private water system to an approved system, $200 for single-family or multifamily alteration, and $25 for sealing a private water system.
    • The rule is effective January 1, 2020.

    single-family installation permit excluding pond: 484 USD (2026 Tuscarawas County Health Department total fee) · multifamily installation permit excluding pond: 484 USD (2026 Tuscarawas County Health Department total fee) · test well construction permit: 274 USD (2026 Tuscarawas County Health Department total fee) · conversion of non-approved private water system to approved system: 299 USD (2026 Tuscarawas County Health Department total fee) · alteration permit: 200 USD (2026 Tuscarawas County Health Department total fee) · private water system sealing permit: 25 USD (2026 Tuscarawas County Health Department total fee) · permit expiration if work not completed: 1 year (Board of health may extend six months; further extension may be available for correction of construction violations) · emergency permit application deadline: 3 business days (After emergency construction or alteration begins)

    “No person shall construct, alter or seal a private water system, test well or part thereof, unless a valid permit for the system has been issued by the board of health pursuant to this rule.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Lot splits under five acres in Tuscarawas County.

    • The official county health department page states that septic approval is required when sanitary sewer is not available.
    • This does not establish a universal countywide requirement to connect to public water or sewer.

    lot split acreage threshold: < 5 acres (septic approval is required only if sanitary sewer is not available)

    “Lot splits under five (5) acres require septic (STS) approval from the Tuscarawas County Health Department if sanitary sewer is not available.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within the unincorporated area of Tuscarawas County.

    • The regulations do not apply to lots forming part of a subdivision created and recorded before the effective date of the regulations.
    • Major subdivisions require preliminary and final plans, improvements, and compliance with Articles VI, VII, and VIII.
    • Minor subdivisions generally involve five parcels or less, with frontage and other applicability conditions.
    • A division into parcels more than five acres that does not involve new streets or access easements, or certain transfers between adjoining owners that do not create additional structure sites, is exempted under the regulation's subdivision definition.
    • The 2018 document identifies Article III minor subdivisions as revised December 11, 2018 and effective January 1, 2019; the appendix chart states revised January 1, 2019.

    minor subdivision maximum: five parcels or less (four parcels plus the remainder) (Any one parcel is under five acres under Section 302.) · minor subdivision frontage: 40 feet minimum or township zoning requirement, whichever is greater feet (Lot must front an improved public road or be part of a Dedicated Private Drive subdivision.)

    “within the unincorporated area of the County.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Any new driveway, or an existing driveway with a proposed change of use, connecting to a Tuscarawas County Road.

    • The permit applies to county roads, not necessarily every township or municipal road.
    • The County Engineer must approve the location, type, and size of pipe before permit issuance.
    • The pipe must be at least 40 feet long and 12 inches in diameter.
    • The permittee must provide labor, materials, and equipment; all work must be performed by a qualified contractor.
    • Dedicated private drives require Regional Planning submission before driveway-permit issuance.
    • Commercial driveways require a plan submitted to the County Engineer by the developer.
    • The permittee must notify the County Engineer's Office at least 24 hours before installation.
    • Concrete or asphalt approaches require Engineer's Office contact and grading/formwork approval before placement.

    permit fee: 20 USD · minimum pipe length: >= 40 feet · minimum pipe diameter: >= 12 inches · installation notice: >= 24 hours before installation

    “A driveway permit is required for any new driveway or any existing driveway with a proposed change of use, for a Tuscarawas County Road.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development within floodplain limits of the unincorporated areas of Tuscarawas County, particularly subdivisions reviewed under the county subdivision regulations.

    • Floodplain areas are identified on current Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
    • Development may be prohibited in some areas of the floodplain.
    • For areas in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flowage easement, the developer must provide a Corps letter of review and comment.
    • Flood hazard areas outside FIRM regulatory areas are reviewed using local engineering studies or Army Corps approval.
    • For subdivisions in areas with poor drainage or other adverse physical characteristics, the Commission may require improvements rendering the area safe for the intended use, or a surety bond or certified check covering the required improvements, subject to approval by the County Board of Health and the County Engineer and/or County Flood Plain Administrator.
    “A Flood Plain Development Permit is required to develop within flood plain limits of the unincorporated areas of Tuscarawas County.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Any development activity in a floodplain area regulated by the Tuscarawas County Flood Damage Prevention Regulations in unincorporated Tuscarawas County.
      “The County Commissioners have adopted floodplain regulations. The SWCD manage the floodplain according to these regulations by: issuing permits for development in floodplain areas of Tuscarawas County. [...] Any activity in the floodplain is subject to a permit, from filling along a stream bank to the development of a home and/or business. And it must be noted that there are no exemptions to the permit. Agricultural development is not exempt. Neither is mining, landscaping, or other activity of man.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published East Central Ohio Building Authority plan examination, inspection, certificate, and related fees for applicable commercial and special-structure projects in the unincorporated portions of Tuscarawas County administered by ECOBA.

    • The fee schedule is effective 2017-11-01.
    • Plan approval fees must be paid at the time of application.
    • Inspection fees must be paid before the inspection.
    • Fees are based on affected areas, which may extend beyond the limits of construction.
    • Fees for special situations are determined by the building official.
    • The schedule lists commercial structure processing and plan-examination fees, including structural, mechanical, electrical, fire suppression, and fire alarm fees; special structure fees; annual approval fees; inspection fees; certificate fees; and other fees.
    • The schedule lists a 200% plan approval fee penalty for working without plan approval, a 25% additional late fee after 45 days, and payment by cash, check payable to ECOBA, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express.
    • The county's official building-and-zoning letter states that cities and villages have separate applicable building regulations and permits.

    structural commercial processing fee: 275 USD (plus $10.50 per 100 square feet or linear foot) · mechanical commercial processing fee: 275 USD (plus $6.50 per 100 square feet) · electrical commercial processing fee: 275 USD (plus $6.50 per 100 square feet or linear foot) · fire suppression system processing fee: 275 USD (plus $6.50 per 100 square feet) · fire alarm system processing fee: 275 USD (plus $6.50 per device) · certificate of occupancy and completion: 75 USD · re-inspection penalty: 150 USD (not ready or failed) · working without plan approval penalty: 200% plan approval fee · late fee: 25 percent (additional after 45 days)

    “Structural $275.00 $10.50 /100sf or lf Mechanical $275.00 $6.50 /100sf Electrical $275.00 $6.50 /100sf or lf Fire Suppression System $275.00 $6.50 /100sf Fire Alarm System $275.00 $6.50 /device [...] Re-inspections Penalty (not ready or failed) $150.00 [...] Certificate of Occupancy and Completion $75.00 [...] Working Without Plan Approval Penalty 200% Plan Approval Fee Fee Payment Late Fees 25% Additional after 45 days [...] Effective Date: 11/01/2017”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Ohio Building Code plan approval and inspection process for projects in ECOBA-certified unincorporated Tuscarawas County townships.

    • The county building department was certified for unincorporated Tuscarawas County townships on November 1, 2004.
    • Detached one-, two-, or three-family dwellings that are non-transient and not connected to commercial use are outside ECOBA jurisdiction, but must comply with the Residential Code of Ohio; local city, village, or township officials determine whether a residential zoning permit is necessary.
    • Construction documents must be prepared by a registered design professional and bear an official seal, signature, and date.
    • Applicants upload plans, specifications, shop drawings, equipment cut sheets, calculations, the completed application, and fee worksheet through an online Box folder.
    • All fees must be paid before approved plans and inspections are available.
    • Inspections must be scheduled at least one day before the inspection date.
    • Approved drawings must be posted, lot lines clearly marked, and site access provided.
    • A re-inspection fee applies when an inspection is missed, the site is inaccessible, or work is incomplete.
    • A final certificate of occupancy is issued after all inspections are obtained.

    inspection notice: >= 1 day minimum

    “Construction Documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional and bear an official seal, signature and date. An online Box folder will be provided to upload electronic PDF plans, specifications, shop drawings, equipment cut sheets and calculations along with the completed application for plan approval and fee worksheet.”

Ohio rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Electrical and heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning work performed as contracting within an Ohio county; the statute authorizes, but does not itself impose, county licensing rules.

    • A board of county commissioners may adopt licensing rules by resolution for electrical and HVAC contractors not required to hold a valid and unexpired Chapter 4740 license.
    • County rules may be enforced in unincorporated areas and in municipalities that contract with the county for enforcement.
    • A county rule may require examinations, technical-skill demonstrations, fees, and additional licensing requirements.
    • A county board may accept a valid and unexpired Chapter 4740 license for construction, replacement, maintenance, or repair of one-, two-, or three-family dwellings or incidental accessory structures.
    • The statute does not establish a statewide owner-builder electrical or HVAC contractor-license exemption; county and municipal rules must be checked for the specific location.
    “Each board of county commissioners may adopt, by resolution, rules establishing standards and providing for the licensing of electrical and heating, ventilating, and air conditioning contractors who are not required to hold a valid and unexpired license pursuant to Chapter 4740. of the Revised Code.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — An owner-builder constructing, erecting, altering, or equipping a building covered by Ohio Revised Code section 3781.06, including residential buildings, where a certified municipal, township, or county building department has jurisdiction.
      “No owner shall proceed with the construction, erection, alteration, or equipment of any building until the plans or drawings, specifications, and data have been approved as this section requires, or the industrialized unit inspected at the point of origin.”
    • Conditional — An owner performing contractor-regulated construction, improvement, or renovation on the owner's own primary residential building in Ohio.
      “(F) "Construction project" means a construction project involving a building or structure subject to Chapter 3781. of the Revised Code and the rules adopted under that chapter, but not an industrialized unit or a residential building as defined in section 3781.06 of the Revised Code.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Buildings and classes of buildings regulated under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3781, including residential and nonresidential buildings and industrialized units.

    • The Ohio Board of Building Standards formulates and adopts separate residential and nonresidential building codes.
    • Residential-code requirements are uniform in areas with a building department certified to enforce the state residential building code.
    • A local code or regulation may differ from the state residential building code only when it addresses subject matter not addressed by the state residential building code or is adopted pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 3781.01.
    • Enforcement authority is exercised by certified municipal, township, and county building departments or other certified personnel as provided by law.
    “The board of building standards shall formulate and adopt rules governing the erection, construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance of all buildings or classes of buildings specified in section 3781.06 of the Revised Code, including land area incidental to those buildings, the construction of industrialized units, the installation of equipment, and the standards or requirements for materials used in connection with those buildings. The board shall incorporate those rules into separate residential and nonresidential building codes.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted — Ohio's statewide residential and nonresidential building codes governing covered building construction, repair, alteration, and maintenance.
      “The board shall incorporate those rules into separate residential and nonresidential building codes.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Residential construction or work in Ohio for which an approval is required, including covered residential work in Tuscarawas County when subject to the Residential Code of Ohio.

    • Construction or work for which an approval is required is subject to inspection.
    • The owner or duly authorized representative must notify the residential building department when work is ready for inspection and provide access and means for inspection.
    • The work must remain accessible and exposed until inspected; failure to inspect within four days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, allows work to proceed, but subsequent work may proceed only to the next required inspection.
    • The residential building official provides a project-specific list of required inspections from sections 108.2.1 through 108.2.12.
    • The cited rule is identified as effective July 1, 2019.

    inspection response period: <= 4 days excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays (If the inspector fails to inspect within this period after the work is ready, work may proceed to the next required inspection.)

    “Construction or work for which an approval is required shall be subject to inspection.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Building work subject to Ohio building-code enforcement after certificate of plan approval, and inspections initiated after complaints, accidents, or natural disasters.
      “Once a certificate of plan approval has been issued in accordance with rule 4101:1-1-01 or 4101:8-1-01 of the Administrative Code, or upon receipt of a complaint or occurrence of an accident or natural disaster, the building official directs necessary inspections and investigations to determine whether the work which has been performed and the installations which have been made are in conformity with the approved construction documents.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New, altered, enlarged, extended, or otherwise covered residential buildings and structures in Ohio, including covered residential work in Tuscarawas County when subject to the Residential Code of Ohio.

    • A residential building or structure may not be used or occupied until the residential building official issues a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion.
    • For a new residential building, the certificate of occupancy must be issued before occupancy.
    • For alterations or additions, the certificate of occupancy must be issued before use or occupancy of the affected work.
    • Unaffected existing spaces may continue to be occupied if the residential building official determines they can be occupied safely.
    • Partial occupancy may be approved when the official determines the space can be safely occupied before full completion and the certificate states the approved areas and any completion time limits.
    • A certificate of completion may be used where permitted by the rule.
    • The cited rule is identified as effective July 1, 2019.
    “No residential building or structure, in whole or in part, shall be used or occupied until the residential building official has issued an approval in the form of a certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion in compliance with this section.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Township zoning regulation of setback building lines for agricultural buildings or structures on lots greater than one acre but not greater than five acres in qualifying platted subdivisions or qualifying areas of fifteen or more contiguous lots.

    • The local regulation must arise under a township zoning resolution or amendment.
    • The subdivision or area must meet the statutory qualification in section 519.21(B).
    • The statute does not provide a statewide numeric setback distance.
    • Township zoning may not regulate agriculture, agricultural buildings or structures, or dairying and animal and poultry husbandry on lots greater than five acres under division (B).

    lot size lower threshold: > 1 acre · lot size upper threshold: <= 5 acres

    “not greater than five acres by: set back building lines;”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Township zoning regulation of height for agricultural buildings or structures on lots greater than one acre but not greater than five acres in qualifying platted subdivisions or qualifying areas of fifteen or more contiguous lots.

    • The local regulation must arise under a township zoning resolution or amendment.
    • The subdivision or area must meet the statutory qualification in section 519.21(B).
    • The statute does not provide a statewide numeric height limit.
    • Township zoning may not regulate agriculture, agricultural buildings or structures, or dairying and animal and poultry husbandry on lots greater than five acres under division (B).

    lot size lower threshold: > 1 acre · lot size upper threshold: <= 5 acres

    “Buildings or structures incident to the use of land for agricultural purposes [...] height;”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Township zoning regulation of permanently sited manufactured homes statewide, including applicable unincorporated townships in Tuscarawas County.

    • Township zoning may not prohibit or restrict a permanently sited manufactured home in a district or zone where a single-family home is permitted.
    • Township zoning may require compliance with zoning requirements uniformly imposed on all single-family residences in that district or zone.
    • Uniform requirements may not include minimum roof-pitch requirements or requirements that do not comply with federal manufactured-housing standards under the Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974.
    • Township zoning may prohibit travel trailers, park trailers, mobile homes, and manufactured homes that do not qualify as permanently sited manufactured homes from residential districts or zones.
    • The statute does not prevent a private landowner from imposing a restrictive covenant in a deed prohibiting manufactured homes, travel trailers, park trailers, or mobile homes.
    “authority to prohibit or restrict the location of a permanently sited manufactured home, as defined in division (C)(6) of section 3781.06 of the Revised Code”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural land uses and agricultural buildings or structures in Ohio, including unincorporated Tuscarawas County.

    • Under ORC 303.21(A), county zoning authorities may not prohibit agricultural land uses or buildings and structures incident to agricultural use, and no zoning certificate is required for such a building or structure.
    • ORC 303.21(B) allows a county zoning resolution, in specified platted subdivisions or qualifying contiguous-lot areas, to regulate agriculture on lots of one acre or less and to regulate setback building lines, height, and size of agricultural buildings on lots greater than one acre but not greater than five acres.
    • ORC 303.21(B) does not authorize regulation of agriculture, agricultural buildings or structures, or dairying and animal husbandry on lots greater than five acres.
    • Separately, ORC 3781.061 provides a building-code exemption when a county or township zoning inspector issues a zoning certificate declaring the specific building or structure is to be used in agriculture; that exemption is subject to the stated statutory sections.

    agricultural-lot threshold for possible county regulation: <= 1 acre (Agriculture in specified platted or qualifying areas) · agricultural-building regulation range: greater than 1 through 5 acres (Setback building lines, height, and size in specified areas) · agricultural-lot protection threshold: > 5 acres (ORC 303.21(B) confers no power for the listed regulation) · statutory effective date: 2016-08-16 (ORC 303.21)

    “any county rural zoning commission, board of county commissioners, or board of zoning appeals to prohibit the use of any land for agricultural purposes”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Buildings or structures incident to agricultural use of the land, and a specific building or structure declared by a county or township zoning inspector to be used in agriculture.
      “issues a zoning certificate that declares a specific building or structure is to be used in agriculture, such building is not subject to sections”
    • Available (with conditions) — Qualifying parcel divisions processed under rules adopted pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 711.133.
      “Rules adopted under this section shall exempt from the approval requirements of this section parcels of land to be used only for agricultural”
    • Available (with conditions) — Buildings or structures incident to agricultural use of the land in Ohio.
      “incident to the use for agricultural purposes [...] provided those buildings or structures are not used in the business of retail trade.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational vehicle occupancy in campgrounds in Ohio, including Tuscarawas County.

    • A campground generally requires a license from the licensor having jurisdiction.
    • A person who neither intends to nor receives anything of value from campground use is exempt from the license requirement, but health hazards at an unlicensed campground must still be corrected.
    • RV sites must be verified against approved plans; sites generally must be at least 1,000 square feet.
    • No more than one recreational vehicle and two portable camping units, or three portable camping units, may occupy one site.
    • Required separation distances include 15 feet between RV sides on adjacent sites, 10 feet between RV ends on adjacent sites, 5 feet between units on the same site, 15 feet from buildings and rights-of-way, and 7.5 feet from the campground property line.
    • The campground licensee must ensure occupancy does not exceed licensed capacity.
    • Existing and newly constructed campground exceptions apply to manufactured or mobile homes under paragraphs (I)(13) and (I)(14).

    minimum campground site area: >= 1000 square feet (except as provided in paragraph (I)(11)) · maximum RV units per site: 1 recreational vehicle (plus up to two portable camping units; alternatively, three portable camping units) · RV site separation from adjacent site: >= 15 feet (side-to-side separation; ends require at least 10 feet) · RV site separation from campground property line: >= 7.5 feet

    “sites shall be a minimum area of one thousand square feet;”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Temporary campgrounds in Ohio, including Tuscarawas County.
      “The license shall be valid for a period of not longer than seven consecutive days.”
    • Limited — Occupancy and placement of recreational vehicles in Ohio-licensed campgrounds and temporary campgrounds.
      “Recreational vehicles or portable camping units shall be parked only on sites that have been verified as complying with plans approved by the director, or in the case of a temporary campground, by the licensor;”
    • Prohibited — Camping in Ohio state forests outside areas, sites, or campgrounds designated by the chief of the division of forestry or an authorized agent.
      “No person shall camp in a state forest except in areas, sites or campgrounds designated by the chief of the division of forestry or authorized agent.”
    • Limited — Roadside camping at designated Ohio state forests along public roads maintained by the division of forestry.
      “Roadside camping is permitted at designated state forests, along public roads maintained by the division of forestry, during certain legally established hunting seasons as authorized by the chief of the division of forestry.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    County commissioners may adopt zoning resolutions regulating building, structures, land uses, and districts or zones in unincorporated territory statewide.

    • The authority is exercised by resolution and must be in accordance with a comprehensive plan.
    • The authority applies to unincorporated territory of the county.
    • The statute begins with the exception phrase “Except as otherwise provided in this section,” so the limitations in ORC Chapter 303 apply.
    • For nonresidential property only, the county may regulate height, bulk, number of stories, size, lot coverage, yards, courts, open spaces, and population density.
    • Agricultural uses and agricultural buildings are subject to the limitations in ORC 303.21; the statute also contains limitations for public utilities, railroads, telecommunications towers, alcoholic-beverage sales, oil and gas drilling, and permanently sited manufactured homes.
    • Activities regulated under ORC Chapters 1513 and 1514 may be regulated only in the interest of public health or safety, and Chapter 1514 activities must be provided for as permitted or conditional uses as specified by ORC 303.02.
    “the board of county commissioners may regulate by resolution, in accordance with a comprehensive plan”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    County commissioners may adopt and enforce local residential building regulations in unincorporated areas and may operate certified county building departments that enforce state residential and nonresidential building codes, accept and approve plans, and conduct inspections.

    • Local residential building regulations may be enforced within the unincorporated area or within districts established in the unincorporated area.
    • A local residential building regulation may not differ from the state residential building code unless it addresses subject matter not addressed by that code or is adopted under ORC 3781.01.
    • An existing structures code must concern subject matter not addressed by, and may not conflict with, the state residential building code.
    • County building departments may enforce state codes only for the types of buildings and subject matters for which they are certified.
    • Certification permits enforcement authority, plan approval, and inspections; the certification application identifies whether it covers residential or nonresidential buildings and whether residential certification covers new construction only or also repair and alteration.
    • The board may adopt flood-hazard, Lake Erie coastal-erosion, and drainage regulations, subject to the statutory limits and exceptions in ORC 307.37.
    • Local regulations, codes, or amendments require public hearings at not fewer than two regular or special board sessions; they take effect on the thirty-first day after adoption.
    • Regulations adopted under ORC 307.37 generally do not affect buildings or structures existing, or under construction, before adoption, except as provided for an existing structures code.
    • The state residential building code is effective as a uniform requirement in areas with a building department certified to enforce it.
    “The board of county commissioners may adopt local residential building regulations governing residential buildings as defined in section 3781.06 of the Revised Code”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — Ohio boards of county commissioners adopting and enforcing local residential building regulations in unincorporated county areas, including districts established within those areas, and administering state building codes when certified.
      “The board of county commissioners may adopt local residential building regulations governing residential buildings”

Inside cities and towns in Tuscarawas County

Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    New residential construction within the City of New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas County.

    • The application states that projects must be completed within one year of approval or a new building permit must be obtained.
    • Applications may be rejected for excessive lot coverage or unmet setback requirements; a zoning variance appeal requires a $100 fee and proof of hardship.
    • Listed permit prices are $125 for single-family, $160 for duplex, and $300 for triplex construction.

    single-family permit fee: 125 USD · duplex permit fee: 160 USD · triplex permit fee: 300 USD · project completion period: 1 year (otherwise a new building permit must be obtained) · zoning variance appeal fee: 100 USD (applicant must prove hardship)

    “I acknowledge that the project(s) described herein will be completed within one year of the approval date of the application, otherwise a new building permit will need to be obtained. I understand if the lot coverage exceeds the maximum coverage or if setback requirements have not been met according to my property’s zoning district, my application will not be approved. I also understand that if my permit application is rejected by the Code Administrator, I have the right to appear before the Board of Zoning Appeals for a $100.00 fee, but I must prove a hardship as to why I am asking the Board for a zoning variance request. [...] Single-Family - $125.00 [...] Duplex - $160.00 [...] Triplex - $300.00”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning administration and enforcement in Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County, for property within the township's zoning jurisdiction.

    • The zoning inspector is designated by the Sandy Township Board of Township Trustees.
    • The zoning inspector may be assisted by other persons as directed by the Board of Township Trustees.
    • The cited source is a township zoning resolution hosted on the official Tuscarawas County website; it does not state a current adoption or amendment date in the cited passage.
    “A Zoning Inspector designated by the Board of Township Trustees shall administer and enforce this Resolution. He or she may be provided with the assistance of such other persons as the Board of Township Trustees may direct.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Zoning in Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.
      “The Current zoning map for Sandy Township Tuscarawas County Ohio”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

    • This is a township-specific zoning resolution and must not be treated as a countywide zoning ordinance.
    • The resolution identifies an Official Zoning District Map and an Official Schedule of District Regulations.
    • The map is maintained by the Zoning Inspector and kept on file in the Clerk's office.
    • Uses and dimensional requirements vary by district.
    • The document contains update entries through January 24, 2017, but those entries are not treated as effective dates.

    published districts: R-1 Agricultural and Rural Residential; R-2 Single Family Residential; R-3 Manufactured Home Park; CG Commercial General; I-1 Industrial General; FE Flood Easement

    “The following zoning districts are hereby established for the Township of Sandy, Tuscarawas County, Ohio: R1 Agricultural and Rural Residential R2 Single-Family Residential R3 Manufactured Home Park District CG Commercial General District I1 General Industrial District FE Flood Easement”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Residential districts R-1 and R-2 in Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County.

    • The cited table is district-specific to Sandy Township; it does not establish a countywide dwelling-size rule.
    • R-1 and R-2 are the districts identified in the cited table; other districts may have different or no floor-area requirements.

    minimum floor area, R-1: >= 1200 sq ft · minimum floor area, R-2: >= 1200 sq ft

    “District R-1 R-2 CG I1 [...] Floor area 1,200 sq. ft. 1,200 sq. ft. Na Na”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Sandy Township zoning districts R-1, R-2, CG, and I-1 in unincorporated Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County.

    • The schedule's setback columns are identified as thoroughfare, collector, local street, and side yard/backyard.
    • The listed values are R-1: 75, 75, 50, and 30 feet; R-2: 75, 50, 30, and 10 feet; CG: 75, 75, 50, and 30 feet; I-1: 75 feet for each listed setback category.
    • The regulations are minimum regulations, and the most restrictive applicable lawfully adopted rule governs.
    • Applications for zoning certificates require site plans for review and approval.

    R-1 thoroughfare setback: 75 ft · R-1 collector setback: 75 ft · R-1 local street setback: 50 ft · R-1 side yard/backyard setback: 30 ft · R-2 thoroughfare setback: 75 ft · R-2 collector setback: 50 ft · R-2 local street setback: 30 ft · R-2 side yard/backyard setback: 10 ft

    “District R-1 R-2 CG I1 Frontage 130 ft. 80 ft. 130 ft. 200 ft. Setback 1 2 3 4 75 ft. 75 ft. 50 ft. 30 ft. 75 ft. 50 ft. 30 ft. 10 ft. 75 ft. 75 ft. 50 ft. 30 ft. 75 ft. 75 ft. 75 ft. 75 ft.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1, R-2, CG, and I1 districts in Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County.

    • The cited table separately lists garage and storage-shed heights for some districts.
    • The cited limits are specific to Sandy Township zoning districts and are not countywide.

    maximum building height, R-1: <= 35 ft · maximum building height, R-2: <= 35 ft · maximum building height, CG: <= 35 ft · maximum building height, I1: <= 35 ft · maximum garage height, R-1: <= 20 ft · maximum garage height, R-2: <= 20 ft

    “Maximum Height 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. 35 ft. Garage Height 20 ft. 20 ft. Na Na”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of recreational vehicles as campsites or campgrounds in unincorporated Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County.

    • The resolution defines a campsite or campground as a parcel intended for temporary occupancy by a tent, tent trailer, or recreation vehicle.
    • A camp is permitted only in designated zoning districts.
    • The camp must be on a parcel containing at least 10 acres.
    • Any building must be at least 100 feet from every property line.
    • The camp operation must not constitute a nuisance to adjoining landowners.
    • All refuse containers must be enclosed.

    maximum recreational vehicle length: <= 40 feet · maximum recreational vehicle width: <= 8 feet · maximum recreational vehicle height: <= 12 feet · minimum camp parcel area: >= 10 acres · minimum building setback from property line: >= 100 feet

    “tent, tent trailer, or recreation vehicle.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping by tent, tent trailer, or recreational vehicle in unincorporated Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County.

    • The resolution defines a campsite or campground as a parcel intended for temporary occupancy by tent, tent trailer, or recreation vehicle.
    • A camp is permitted only in designated zoning districts.
    • The camp must be on a parcel containing at least 10 acres.
    • Any building must be at least 100 feet from every property line.
    • The camp operation must not constitute a nuisance to adjoining landowners.
    • All refuse containers must be enclosed.

    minimum camp parcel area: >= 10 acres · minimum building setback from property line: >= 100 feet

    “parcel containing at least 10 acres of land.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured-home occupancy in the unincorporated portion of Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

    • Mobile homes are not permitted in Sandy Township.
    • Manufactured homes are permitted only in approved manufactured-home parks, unless otherwise authorized in the Sandy Township Zoning Resolution.
    • In the R-3 Manufactured Home Park District, a manufactured home is permitted as a single-family residence, and a manufactured-home park must be licensed and regulated by the Ohio Department of Health and comply with the resolution.
    • A permanently sited manufactured home must be affixed to a permanent foundation and connected to appropriate facilities; be at least 22 feet wide and 22 feet long at one point; have at least 900 square feet of living area excluding garages, porches, or attachments; have a minimum 3:12 residential roof pitch, conventional residential siding, and six-inch minimum eave overhang with appropriate guttering; have been manufactured after January 1, 1995; and not be located in a manufactured-home park.
    • The resolution's industrialized-unit sitting requirements do not apply by their definition to manufactured homes; the resolution expressly states that an industrialized unit does not include a manufactured home.
    • The cited resolution governs the unincorporated portion of Sandy Township and does not establish a countywide rule or govern incorporated municipalities.

    minimum width: >= 22 feet (permanently sited manufactured home) · minimum length: >= 22 feet (permanently sited manufactured home) · minimum living area: >= 900 square feet (excluding garages, porches, or attachments; permanently sited manufactured home) · minimum roof pitch: 3:12 (permanently sited manufactured home) · manufactured after: > 1995-01-01 (permanently sited manufactured home)

    “Manufactured homes shall be permitted only in approved manufactured home parks, unless otherwise authorized in this Resolution.”

Set by your township or city, not the county

In Ohio, zoning is adopted by each township or city, so Tuscarawas County has no county-wide answer on these. Find your township or city in the list of places on this page, or call its clerk or zoning administrator.

  • Lot coverage
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Tuscarawas County, Ohio

Is Tuscarawas County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Tuscarawas County scores 54/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: about 75,388 people within a 30-minute drive and a weaker property-autonomy legal backdrop.

Do you need a building permit in Tuscarawas County, Ohio?

Tuscarawas County generally requires a residential building permit, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Tuscarawas County Health Department. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Tuscarawas County, Ohio?

Land in Tuscarawas County runs about $7,082 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Tuscarawas County?

Tuscarawas County gets about 40.9" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2% of years.

How remote is Tuscarawas County?

A representative private-land location has about 75,388 people within a 30-minute drive and 7,859,209 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

How Tuscarawas compares in Ohio

Compare side-by-side →See all 88 Ohio counties ranked →