Steps Required to Build a Home
PROPERTY OWNER NAME TOWNSHIP
The following steps are required prior to construction of a new home in Knox County. Township zoning requires minimum square footage for a house and setbacks for the road, side and rear property lines. 18 out of 22 township have zoning. Please contact the zoning inspector in the township which you intend to build to apply for a zoning permit. If unzoned township, continue to step one.
[ 1 ] Site Evaluation Date evaluation completed
Contact the Knox County Health Department to schedule a site evaluation. The site evaluation determines if the lot size and soil type meet requirements for an on-site septic system.
11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, OH 43050 740-392-2200
[ 2 ] Access Management Permit Permit #
All new building sites must have an approved access (driveway) location. Traffic volume and site distance are of the utmost importance in determining the location of a new driveway. The Knox County Regional Planning office can determine the road classification (State, County or Township highway) for you. Please contact the appropriate department listed below for an application.
State Highway Garage 505 Harcourt Rd., Mount Vernon, OH 43050 740-392-3066
County Engineer’s Office 422 Columbus Rd., Mt. Vernon, OH 43050 740-397-1590
Township Zoning Inspector or Township Trustee
[ 3 ] Property Address Assigned by
Please contact the Knox County Emergency Management Agency to request a property address. Property owners must have an approved access permit, parcel identification number and exact location of the driveway to obtain an address. Addresses are determined by the driveway location.
11540 Upper Gilchrist Road Mount Vernon, OH 43050 740-393-6772
[ 4 ] Storm Water Management & Sediment Control Permit Permit #
Storm water management and sediment control permits are required for all non-agricultural earth disturbing activities. Prior to construction, building sites must have a Storm Water Management Permit. Contact the Knox County Regional Planning Commission for an application.
[ 5 ] Septic and Well Permit Sewage Permit #
Contact the Knox County Health Department for a permit to install the septic system and a permit for the well. A layout/design plan is required.
Once all of the above steps are completed in order, return to the township zoning inspector with this form to receive your zoning permit. The above steps are for building a home in all unincorporated areas of Knox County (including townships). To construct a public or commercial structure, contact the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Knox County Regional Planning
117 East High Street, Suite 221, Mount Vernon, OH
740-393-6718