What is a Drainage Review Permit?
Authorized by Ohio Revised Code Sec. 307.37, Drainage Review permits are a component of Delaware County’s Building Code that is administered by the Soil and Water Conservation District. These reviews are intended to avoid future drainage problems for the homeowner and adjacent landowners that might directly result from development activities on a property. This review process does not apply to any property that has been approved by the county platting authority (Regional Planning) under Section 711.05, 711.09, or 711.10 of the Revised Code. In other words, all lots within a platted subdivision, including platted CADs, are exempt from the Drainage Review permit process. Properties within the municipalities of Delaware County are also exempt even if their building permit is handled by the County’s Dept. of Building Safety.
For the owner of a lot 1 acre or larger not in a platted subdivision or municipality, this means that no building permit application will be accepted and no building permit issued until a review of the specific effects of the proposed new construction on existing surface and subsurface drainage has been completed by the Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District (as directed by the Delaware County Commissioners).
Specifically, the Delaware SWCD has been appointed by the Delaware County Commissioners to conduct the inspections required for these reviews and to make evaluations about what, if any, alterations are necessary to prevent or correct any adverse effects that a proposed new construction may have on existing surface or subsurface drainage.
The Delaware SWCD has been appointed by the Delaware County Commissioners to conduct the inspections required for these reviews, and to make evaluations about what, if any, alterations are necessary to prevent or correct any adverse effects that the proposed construction may have on the existing surface or subsurface drainage.
The Drainage Review permit process must be initiated prior to the building permit application process. Once the application is made, the Delaware SWCD will schedule an on-site visit at which the attendance of someone knowledgeable about the build is required. Per state law, on-site visits must be scheduled a minimum of one week following receipt of the application. Most on-site visits are scheduled within ten working days of receipt.
The fees for Drainage Review permits are as follows:
Application Fee: $125
Mitigation Inspection Fee: $100
Re-inspection Fee: $100 per occurrence
Mitigation inspection fees are only applied to those sites requiring mitigation, inspection, or alterations of the existing drainage system during the building process. This is a flat fee regardless of the number of mitigations required. A re-inspection fee is applied if an initial mitigation approval inspection is requested, and does not satisfactorily meet the requirements for approval thus requiring a subsequent visit.
A separate Drainage Review permit application is required for each activity on a property that requires a building permit and is changing the footprint of the existing development. Applications may be submitted simultaneously for different structures on a property as long as the building permits will be applied for within a calendar year of the review. For example, permits may be requested for a house, outbuilding/barn, and pool. Under this scenario, only the primary structure will be charged the application fee, and the mitigation fees, if necessary, would be applied independently to each permit.
All fees for Drainage Review permits are collected by the Delaware County Dept. of Building Safety as part of the building permit application.
Download Culvert/Driveway Mitigation Guidance & Information (PDF).
Who is required to have a Drainage Protection Review?
A Drainage Review permit is required for any construction that needs a building permit on a property 1 acre or larger that is not in a platted subdivision.
Do I need a Drainage Protection Review before applying for a building permit?
Yes, the Drainage Review permit process must be completed BEFORE applying for a building permit.
I am building on to my existing house. Do I need to go through this process?
Additions that cause the footprint of the structure to change, or require excavation are required to have a Drainage Review permit. Additions that are strictly vertical, or do not change the footprint, do not need to have a Drainage Review permit.
How long does the process take?
Additions that cause the footprint of the structure to change, or require excavation are required to have a Drainage Review permit. Additions that are strictly vertical, or do not change the footprint, do not need to have a Drainage Review permit.
How do I apply?
The applicant must visit the Delaware SWCD office to complete the forms. At that time, an appointment is arranged for 7 or more days from the date the application is received. When filling out the application, it is necessary to bring contact information (name, mailing address, phone numbers, e-mail address) and Site Information (site address, parcel identification number, parcel acreage). A site plan is also required to be submitted along with the application form. If an applicant does not have a site plan, the SWCD will provide a print of an aerial photo of the property and the applicant will be asked to sketch a site plan.