Rep. Lorenz Supports Passage of Expedited Board of Building Appeals Process

COLUMBUS— State Representative Brian Lorenz (R-Powell) supported the passage of legislation that will create an expedited appeals process to the Ohio Board of Building Appeals and county and municipal boards of building appeals.

The Ohio Board of Appeals hears appeals to orders enforcing the Ohio Building Code, the Residential Code of Ohio, the Ohio Fire Code, the Ohio Elevator Code, and the Ohio Boiler Pressure and Vessel Code, while county and municipal boards of building appeals hear appeals to enforce the Ohio Building Code and the Residential Code of Ohio.

“This bill respects and recognizes the important roles that licensed architects and engineers play in the development process. These are highly trained professionals who spend their careers ensuring our structures are safe, functional, and built to last. Senate Bill 6 empowers them to operate within their full scope of expertise while maintaining oversight and accountability.”, said Lorenz.

Currently, a board of building appeals has seven to 15 days after an appeal is requested to schedule a hearing. The newly created expedited appeals process created under Senate Bill 6 requires a board of building appeals to commence the appeals process one business day after an appeal is requested and must hold a hearing within five business days. 

This new appeals process must be requested, and boards can charge reasonable fees for the expedited hearing process. Currently the Ohio Board of Building Appeals cannot charge more that $200 for a traditional appeals process, while local boards of building appeals’ fees must not exceed $100. The expedited appeals process fess cannot exceed $500 a day or $1,000 in total. 

Senate Bill 6 will now head to the Governor for his consideration.