One subject that seems to be confusing to citizens of our county is that of requirements for obtaining a building permit. In order to clarify this matter, we kindly submit the following information for public reference:

1. Ohio Revised Code 5713.17 states that written notice shall be given to the County Auditor by any person making structural improvements to their property or buildings costing more than $2,000. The County Auditor is authorized to appraise any building or improvement that is discovered and was not previously notified of construction by the owner. The Auditor will place the new valuation upon the list, together with a penalty equal to fifty percent (50%) of the taxes that would have been collected from the date of construction to the date of discovery had the county auditor been notified of its construction.

2. Persons living within a city or village of Williams County must obtain their building permits through their city or village office (except for Alvordton, Blakeslee, and Holiday City). Persons living outside a municipality, plus the villages of Alvordton, Blakeslee, and Holiday City will be required to obtain a county building permit from the Auditor's office, located on the second floor of the courthouse. (Office hours are 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).

3. The cost of a county building permit is $25 as established by resolution of the Williams County Commissioners. A penalty of $100 may be assessed along with the permit fee for any permit not obtained before the start of construction. These fees and penalties may be added to the real estate taxes of those who fail to acquire a building permit for a one year period. The cost of building permits may vary from village to village within the county.

• Center, Pulaski, and Springfield Townships are zoned townships.

• Residents of Center Township must obtain a zoning permit from the township inspector, Feroen Betts, prior to construction (phone 636-5522 or 636-0823).

• Residents of Springfield Township must obtain a zoning permit from Springfield Township zoning inspector, Terry Ruffer (phone 682-5044).

• Pulaski Township is "County Zoned" and residents must contact the township trustees or township clerk for information regarding zoning and construction.

Should you have any questions regarding the building permit process, please contact the Williams County Auditor's office at 636-5639, ext. 307.

STEP #1 Contact Township Trustees for Zoning Permit if resident of Center, Pulaski or Springfield Township (Zoned townships). Center Township Feroen Betts 636-5522 or 636-0823 Pulaski Township Township Trustee or Clerk 636-3946 Springfield Township Terry Ruffer 682-5044

STEP #2 Go to Williams County Combined Health Department 310 Lincoln Avenue, Montpelier, 485-3141 (Wells, Sewage/Septic System Permits)

STEP #3 Contact Williams County Engineer's Office 12953 County Road G, Bryan, 636-2454 (County sewer permit if located in a non-municipal area within a sewer district) (Driveway Permit)

STEP #4 Contact Williams County Communications Agency (9-1-1) 210 N. Beech Street, Bryan, 636-8497 (Five digit House number assignment for emergency 9-1-1 services)

STEP #5 Go to Williams County Courthouse Court House Square, Bryan Auditor's Office, 2nd Floor, 636-5639 (Building Permits issued with 5-digit house number)

STEP #6 Contact the Williams County Planning Commission Williams County Courthouse, Bryan Commissioners Office, 4th Floor, 636-2059 (To verify if your property is located in a flood plain and purchase a permit if necessary)

Post your new five digit number on your building for ease of location in case of fire, medical or law enforcement emergencies. Also, post your new five digit number on both sides of your mailbox to assist your Rural Mail Carrier in their delivery of your mail.

STEP #2 Call 1-800-523-3581 Ohio Industrial Relations (Commercial Building Permits)

STEP #3 Go to Williams County Courthouse Auditor's Office, 2nd Floor, 636-5639 (County Building Permits)

Post your new five digit number on your building for ease of location in case of fire, medical or law enforcement emergencies. Also, post your new five digit number on both sides of your mailbox to assist your Rural Mail Carrier in their delivery of your mail.

Q. What does the new construction program do?

A. The yearly new construction program assures that all parcels of real property that have structural changes are appraised (or "valued") at their current fair market value. This method is established by Ohio law.

New buildings in a taxing district also generate "new tax money" for that district.

Q. Why check for new construction every year?

A. Yearly inspection of building additions and removals keeps the tax burden equitable for everyone in the county. Otherwise, a property with a new building might not pay taxes on that structure for as many as five years (that is, until the next revaluation). On the other hand, a property with a destroyed building could be paying taxes on a non-existent structure for up to five years.

Q. Will someone visit my property?

A. Yes. A field listing technician will inspect each property that has reported either new construction or building destruction and record relevant information on the county's property record card.

The field listing technician will ask questions such as (1) What improvements have you added to the property? (2) What was the cost? (3) What is your anticipated completion date? Along with the interior building inspection, these, and other questions, enable the County to make as accurate an appraisal as possible.

Q. What if no one is home during the day?

A. If no one is home a card will be left at your property asking you to provide information about the building's interior and any new construction or remodeling. After completing the card, simply return it to the address on the card's front.

If you believe the card's information is insufficient, call the County Auditor's Office (419) 636-5639, for an inspection appointment. A field listing technician will visit your property again to view the home's interior with you.

Q. How does the County find out about new structures?

A. A building permit must be obtained by residents adding new construction or making structural improvements costing $2,000 or more to existing buildings. Persons living within a city or village must obtain their building permits through their city or village office (except for Alvordton, Blakeslee, and Holiday City). Persons living outside a municipality plus the village of Alvordton, Blakeslee, and Holiday City must obtain a county building permit from the Auditor's office.

The cost of a county building permit is $25 as established by resolution of the Williams County Commissioners. A penalty of $100 may be assessed along with the permit fee for any permit not obtained before the start of construction. These fees and penalties may be added to the real estate taxes of those who fail to acquire a building permit for a one year period. The cost of building permits may vary from village to village within the county.

Q. What happens if I don't report a new structure?

A. The Ohio Revised Code (5713.17) states:

"Upon the discovery of a building…the auditor shall appraise it…together with a penalty equal to 50% of the amount of taxes that would have been charged…from the date of construction to the date of discovery…"

Q. What is an "appraisal"?

A. Regardless of whether an appraisal is performed by a bank, a mortgage company, a private fee appraiser, or the County Auditor, the goal is still the same; to estimate today's fair market value (selling price) for a piece of real estate. In other words, if your real estate (land and/or buildings) would sell for about $80,000 in today's real estate market, your appraisal should be in the $75,000 to $85,000 range.

Q. Will I have a chance to discuss my new appraisal?

A. Yes, the County Auditor's door is always open and real estate staff are on hand daily.

Q. Will this new building affect my taxes?

A. Possibly. If an expensive structure was added to your property, chances are your property's value will be significantly increased. On the other hand, if an expensive building was removed from your property, chances are your property's value will decrease.

Your taxes will, quite possibly, do likewise.

Q. When would a change appear on my tax bill?

A. Because the real estate taxes are paid one year after they are assessed, any value changes because of new construction (or removing a building) will not appear on your tax bill until the following January.

Q. How and why do taxes increase?

A. The subdivisions (schools, townships, villages, city, and the county) are the taxing authorities. Each year these taxing authorities calculate the operating funds they need. If their current funding is insufficient, they can request a levy to be placed on the ballot for a vote of people. This levy is called outside millage.

Therefore, your tax rate can be increased by a vote of majority of people to approve a levy or bond.

Q. If I have questions, who do I call?

A. Call your County Auditor, Robin R Rosswurm, at 636-5639. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.