Building / Code Enforcement

Our goal is a simple one, to provide you with the best customer service possible. Whether assisting residents, building owners, design professionals, landlords, or tenants, we believe everyone deserves individual attention. We welcome your questions, thoughts, and comments.

Sign Up for Canton Alerts

Sign up for Canton Alerts!, sometimes called the ’Stark County Emergency Notification System’ or ’Reverse 911’. Not all telephone numbers are available to public entities, such as the City of Canton, so if you would like to receive these ’Canton Alerts!’ on any telephone number, especially unlisted numbers or your mobile phone, you need to sign up.

Adopted Building Codes

The City of Canton enforces the most current edition of the 2019 Residential Code of Ohio (RCO) and the 2017 Ohio Building Code (OBC), as adopted by the Ohio Board of Building Standards.

Department Personnel

Our department is fortunate to have such a diverse group of inspectors, that have a vast knowledge of construction techniques. Individually they will offer their field of expertise to all City residents. They also provide code compliance inspections and prepare reports of findings. To contact a member of our staff, visit our staff directory.

Plan Review Service

We also offer a complete plan review service, including both residential and commercial.

Commercial & Residential Plan Review

As you intend to secure both zoning permits and certificates of plan approval, we ask that you consider and plan that zoning applications may require up to 15 days for an initial review and building plan reviews may require up to 30 days for the initial review. Depending on your plan’s compliance with our codes, subsequent reviews may be required. View the Residential Approval and Inspections Brochure (PDF) to learn why you need a residential inspection. The Building Department requires 4 full sets of plans to be submitted.

Code Enforcement

Our Code Enforcement Division consists of six Code Enforcement Officers and a Senior Code Officer. These individuals are in the neighborhoods every day, ensuring our City Ordinances are enforced in non-owner occupied properties and conduct investigations of complaints.