Below are the most common zoning related questions and answers
If you have any zoning questions, please contact Zoning Inspector Noell Sivertsen by text or call (216) 296 – 2931, or email zoning@leroyohio.com.
- Is there a checklist of things needed to build a new home in Leroy?
- Is there a minimum lot size for a house?
- Do I need a permit for an agricultural building/barn?
- I’m looking to buy property in Leroy. What should I know about?
- Do I need a permit for a fence?
- I have a home-based business. Do I need a permit or special permission?
- I think my neighbor build his garage too close to my property. What should I do?
- I want to build a new accessory building or garage. What do I need to do?
- How many accessory buildings can I have?
- Do I need a permit for a shed?
- Can I have an accessory building on an empty lot (i.e. where no house exists)?
Is there a checklist of things needed to build a new home in Leroy?
If you have any questions, please first contact Noell Sivertsen by text or call (216) 296 – 2931, or email zoning@leroyohio.com
- Design your lot, find a location for septic and well and confirm with Health District and Zoning to determine if it meets requirements.
- If building on State or Federal Highway, the owner will need to contact ODOT about a right-of-way permit.
- Contact Dave Radachy of Lake County Planning (440) 350-2740 or david.radachy@lakecountyohio.gov) to have a new address assigned.
- Apply for approval of an existing well or apply for approval for a new well. Location of water well will affect the lot design.
- Obtain a zoning permit from the Leroy Zoning Inspector.
- Apply for approval for Household Sewage Deposal System (HSDS), a.k.a. septic, from the Lake County General Health District. The approved location of the septic system will have the most impact on the lot design.
- Submit to Building Inspector, Lake County Engineer for grading and Lake County SWCD for soil erosion control.
- The Site Plans are reviewed by the various agencies
- During the review process, if an agency makes a change, the other agencies need to be informed.
- During review, other agencies such as but not limited to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.E.P.A., Ohio EPA, ODOT, etc., may be contacted on various site issues.
- Either SWCD or Engineer approves the plan
- The other agency, the County Engineer if SWCD approves first or SWCD if County Engineer approves first, approves the site plan.
- Obtain a right-of-way permit from ODOT if on a Federal or State Highway.
- Building Inspector issues a permit. The Lake County Building Inspector will require a zoning permit and approved well logs to be submitted prior to the issuing of a building permit.
Is there a minimum lot size for a house?
The minimum lot size for a house is 3 acres.
Do I need a permit for an agricultural building/barn?
Yes. A zoning permit is required but, if the use is agricultural, no fee is required. You must submit a drawing indicating the location and the size of the structure to the Zoning Inspector for review. The applicant must also sign an affidavit, which is available from the Zoning Inspector or the Zoning Forms page, stating that the building’s primary use is for agricultural purposes. Note that this could affect the future use of the structure.
I’m looking to buy property in Leroy. What should I know about?
There are some important things to understand about building in a rural area:
- There are no sewers. All homes must be connected to an approved septic system.
- There are no water lines so each home must have a well.
- Because some requirements are managed by the township and some by Lake County, there are several groups involved including Leroy Zoning, Lake County Building Department, Lake County General Health District, Lake County Engineer and possible the Lake County Soil and Water District. Other groups may need to be involved depending on where the property is located (e.g. ODOT, Ohio EPA, U.S.E.P.A., etc.).
- One of the most important items is to review the Leroy Zoning Regulations.
Do I need a permit for a fence?
Yes. The permit application is available on the Zoning Forms page and the applicant is required to review all zoning regulations. A site plan will be required for review by the Zoning Inspector showing all structures and the location of the fence.
I have a home-based business. Do I need a permit or special permission?
All home-based businesses must apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Home Occupation as per Section 16 of the Leroy Zoning Regulation. The permit application is available on this website. The Zoning Inspector is required to review the application.
I think my neighbor built his garage too close to my property. What should I do?
Contact the Zoning Inspector if you believe there may be a zoning violation. The Zoning Inspector will open a case and investigate. If any zoning violations are discovered, the Zoning Inspector will work with the property owner.
I want to build a new accessory building or garage. What do I need to do?
The permit application is available on this website and drawings of the accessory structure and a site plan must be submitted to the Zoning Inspector for review. Please see Section 16.05 of the Leroy Zoning Regulation for additional restrictions for accessory buildings.
How many accessory buildings can I have?
Per Section 16.05 of the Leroy Zoning Regulation, accessory buildings are restricted based on cumulative total square footage. On lots of less than 3 acres, buildings may not exceed a cumulative total of two thousand (2000) square feet. Lots larger than 3 acres are permitted buildings that do not exceed a cumulative total of two thousand four hundred (2400) square feet. Please see Section 16.05 of the Leroy Zoning Regulation for additional restrictions.
Do I need a permit for a shed?
It depends on the size of the shed. Accessory buildings less than or equal to one-hundred and sixty (160) square feet do not require a Zoning Permit but must comply with all zoning regulations and a signed affidavit must be filed with the Zoning Inspector stating knowledge of and compliance with all zoning regulations. Accessory buildings larger than 160 square feet must follow the guidelines for new accessory structures noted above.
Can I have an accessory building on an empty lot (i.e. where no house exists)?
No. Per Section 16.05 of the Leroy Zoning Regulation, accessory buildings are not permitted on vacant lots.