Hamilton County Planning + Development Department (HCP+D) continues to accept and review plans, issue permits and complete inspections related to our building, zoning, flood, storm water and subdivision jurisdictions.

Please be assured that the HCP+D has and will continue to implement safe and secure drop-off/pick-up procedures (including electronic submission) and inspection services that protect both employees and the public. Information on current procedures related to the COVID-19 Virus can be located on the Planning + Development Department's website here.

Bruce Crase, Chief Building Official, and Bryan Snyder, Development Services Administrator continue to review our inspection procedures to insure the health and safety of our building and zoning inspectors and clients. Any significant changes to our process will be communicated; however, current procedures include wearing of protective gloves, social distancing and attempting to verify the health of any occupants or workers on site before proceeding. Know that all employees (including inspectors) are required to take their temperature daily before work and are not allowed to work if they exhibit an elevated temperature or have any symptoms of sickness.

P+D will conduct meetings as required by the ORC and intend to broadcast these via videoconference or similar methods. On April 9th, meetings will be online only and notices will include directions to our website where instruction on how to participate can be found. Building, planning and zoning boards and commissions will ensure a safe and healthy atmosphere to hold their meetings and strictly follow ORC guidelines and any official State Order. P+D will encourage participation via tele/videoconference when possible at these meetings.  

We understand that construction (residential and commercial) is exempted under the current Department of Health Order. Please know that we will continue to function and complete mandated services unless otherwise prohibited by the State of Ohio or any other legitimate authority.

The Community Development Division has officially opened up the application process for the Mini Planning Grant program. $100,000 is allocated annually for small planning projects to participating local governments outside the City of Cincinnati. The maximum award is $40,000. 

COVID-19 is impacting people across the globe - challenging our current systems. It is important to stay up to date on the tips, resources and information for our communities and constituents. There is a list of resources below as well as ways to help those less fortunate  here.

Resources

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is now providing e-card options to fast track the process of getting a library card. With your library card you have access to free ebooks, audiobooks and streaming video services. Find them here .  

You can also access low-cost internet options through EveryoneOn. You can now search existing offers based on your geographic location and find additional information  here. 

The Census is here and you can complete it now online and by phone. April 1st is officially Census day, this will be a press event, but most importantly this is the reference point for filling out your Census. You are filling your Census information for your home based on who lives there on April 1st. The sooner a household fills out the Census, the less likely an enumerator will come knocking in May. Furthermore, local communities, Complete Count Committees and nonprofit organizations working on the Census will have a better idea of where resources need to go to ensure our region does not continue to be undercounted and we can get the federal resources our communities need and deserve.     

Due to the COVID-19 emergency, self response is available through mid-August 2020 and enumeration will begin now at the end of May.

You can follow your community's self-response rate here. This map is a tool that can show where resources should go in preventing an undercount.