What permits are needed to locate a business in an existing building?

• Zoning Clearance - Required for businesses and covers anything from changes of owner/tenant, changes in use, to new development. 
  • Use the Zoning Clearance Easy Form  for a change of owner/tenant or change of business. 
  • Use the Commercial Zoning Clearance if any additions or changes are being made to the building or property or if the business varies from the previous use.
• Occupancy Permit -Occupancy inspection required with additional requirements if the proposed “Use Group” differs from the existing or if the current building will be altered in anyway.
• Sign Permit -Required for most signs and banners. Your sign installer can do this step for you. See the Signs webpage for the Sign Matrix and ordinance.
• Development Permit -Required if construction is within FEMA regulated special flood hazard areas. See map here.
• Wellhead Protection Registration - Required if new construction is within WHPP zones 1 or 2 (see map here) contact Environmental Engineering at 740-687-6614.
• Certificate of Appropriateness-  Required if within Historic District (see map here). You may also be required to appear before the Historic Lancaster Commission for approval.
• Grease Trap –For food service or auto/truck repair facilities. Contact Water Pollution Control at 740-687-6664 and the Fairfield Health Department at 740-653-4489 for information.
• Food Service Permit - Regulated by the Fairfield Department of Health at 740-653-4489.
• Water Tap – If altering the existing water tap, contact Water Department at 740-687-6631.
• Sanitary Sewer – If installing grease trap or increasing water tap size contact Water Pollution Control at 740-687-6664.

• What permits are needed for new development?

  • Commercial Zoning Clearance –Required before construction begins for any new development. Site plans shall accompany this application. Permits must be issued prior to beginning of  construction and inspections are required. Submit copies to Engineering Department.
  • Water Tap- Applications in our office. Contact Water Department at 740-687-6631 for fees related to the actual TAP to the main water system.
  • Sanitary Sewer- Application and maps in our office. Contact Engineering at 740-687-6614 for availability and capacity information.
  • Curb Cut/Driveway Permit- Application in our office. Must be submitted with the construction application. If curb cut is not in a new subdivision, then the Engineering Department must review the plan prior to application with the Building Department.
  • Wellhead Protection Registration- If new construction is within WHPP zones 1 or 2 (see map here), contact Environmental Engineering at 740-687-6614.
  • Development Permit -If new construction is within FEMA regulated special flood hazard areas. See map here.
  • Grease Trap Permit –For food service or auto/truck repair facilities. Contact Water Pollution Control at 740-687-6664 and the Fairfield Health Department at 740-653-4489 for information.
  • Construction Site Stormwater –If construction is over one acre disturbed. Submit stormwater plans to Engineering Department.
  • Sign Permit -Required for outdoor signs and banners. Your sign installer can do this step for you. See the Signs webpage for the Sign Matrix and ordinance.