State of Ohio Department of Building Standards

The Ohio Board of Building Standards oversees building construction regulations.

Regulations concerning building construction in the state of Ohio are overseen by the Ohio Board of Building Standards. This board is housed within the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance.

History

Ohio has legislatively regulated building construction since 1911. Not until 1955, however, was this regulation placed under the power of a centralized department or board. In 1955, the Ohio General Assembly moved the regulation power out of the legislative realm and into the administrative realm. The Board of Building Standards was created and tasked with the administrative duty of regulating building construction.

Functions

The Ohio Board of Building Standards has three distinct functions that it is tasked to perform. The Board must adopt and amend building codes, certify local governments to create and maintain building inspection departments, and to conduct hearings which will help the board perform its duties.

Appointments

Members are appointed to the board by the governor of Ohio. As of 2010, the board has 15 positions, 14 of which were filled, with one vacancy. The 2010 board members include a variety of professions, including architects, attorneys, general contractors and a union representative.

References

• Ohio Department of Commerce: Board of Building Standards History
• Ohio Department of Commerce: BBS Board Members 2010