What makes a permit “open”
A permit is open when the work it covers was never signed off by an inspector. The permit was issued, the work may even be finished, but the last inspection didn’t happen or didn’t pass. In the department’s records, the job is still in progress.
Common ways a permit stays open:
- The contractor finished the work and never called for the final inspection.
- The final inspection failed and the corrections were never re-inspected.
- The homeowner pulled a permit for a DIY project and stopped partway.
- The contractor went out of business before the job was closed.
An open permit is different from work done with no permit at all. That second problem is covered on our page about selling a house with unpermitted work.
Who issues permits for an Akron house
Two offices share permits for a house in Akron, which is why sellers often don’t know where to look. The City of Akron’s Plans and Permits Center explains the split:
| Office | Permits it handles | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Summit County Department of Building Standards | Building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC under the Ohio Residential Code, after Akron approves the project | 330-630-7280 |
| City of Akron Plans and Permits Center | City permits such as zoning, sewer, water, grading, right-of-way, razing and fire prevention | 330-375-2010 |
The Akron center is at 1030 E. Tallmadge Ave. and lists hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It does not describe an online permit search, so call to check a property’s status. Outside Akron, permits come from the city’s own building department or a county building department, depending on the community.
How long Akron permits stay valid
Akron’s own permits have a clock. The Plans and Permits Center says:
- City permits are valid for 12 months from issue if work hasn’t started. After that, you must reapply.
- If work is in progress, you may apply for a six-month extension.
- Expired or unused permits are not refundable.
That matters for a seller because an expired permit can’t simply be finaled. A new permit, and possibly a new fee, may be needed before the work can be inspected. Summit County’s building permits have their own rules, so ask the county about any building, electrical, plumbing or HVAC permit.
What to ask when you call the permit office
Have the address and parcel number ready, then ask:
- Are there any open, expired or failed permits on this address, and for what work?
- Who pulled each permit, and when was it issued?
- What inspections are still needed to close it?
- Can the owner schedule the final, or must the original contractor?
- If the permit has expired, does it need a new permit and a new fee?
- Are there any code violations or orders tied to the address?
Write down each permit number and the name of the person you talked to. Ask for a printout or email of the permit history if the office can send one.
Steps to close an open permit before a sale
Most open permits close with one inspection. A practical order:
- Find every permit on the address. Call both offices and ask for the permit number, the type, the contractor, and the status.
- Call the contractor who pulled the permit and ask them to schedule the final. Akron asks for 48 hours’ notice to schedule inspections.
- If the contractor is gone, ask the issuing office how an owner or new contractor takes over the permit.
- Make any corrections the inspector lists, then schedule the re-inspection.
- Get written proof of the final approval, and keep it for the buyer.
Start early. A failed final and a re-inspection can take weeks, and you want the paperwork done before a buyer’s inspection or a closing date.
Where open permits come up in a sale
Open permits surface at three points:
- The buyer’s due diligence. Buyers and their agents often call the building department, and some lenders and title companies ask.
- City point of sale reviews. In cities with a program, such as Twinsburg, the city wants violations “corrected or assumed prior to closing.” Our guide to point of sale inspections in Northeast Ohio lists which cities have one.
- The disclosure form. Ohio’s form under R.C. 5302.30 asks about material defects and conditions within the seller’s actual knowledge. If you know about an open permit or unfinished work, disclose it. See our guide to the Ohio residential property disclosure form.
Selling without closing the permit
If closing the permit isn’t practical, you can still sell. Options:
- Disclose it and price it. Give the buyer the permit number and status, and let them decide.
- Offer a credit or an escrow at closing for the cost of finishing.
- Sell to a buyer who will take it on, such as an investor who plans to renovate and will pull new permits anyway.
Be clear in the purchase agreement about who is responsible after closing. A buyer who takes on an open permit becomes the owner the building department deals with.
Septic permits are a separate track
On a house with a septic system, the health department has its own permits. Summit County Public Health issues an operation permit for every household sewage treatment system, separate from any building permit. A new or replacement septic system needs its own health department permits too, so a building permit search won’t show them.
If the house needs more than one permit closed and you’d rather sell it as it is, you can tell us what’s open and we’ll factor it into a written offer.
