Grove City Building Division
4035 Broadway
Grove City, OH 43123
614-277-3075 (Phone)
614-277-3090 (Fax)
GroveCityOhio.gov
Revised 1/2017
A permit is required to provide temporary shelter to persons in any legal building that is not classified as “R” use group. You
should understand and follow the instructions on the following four pages if you are proposing to provide a temporary shelter.
Duration of use. Facilities may be used as temporary shelter for a period of time not to exceed seven consecutive days during
a 30-day period, and a maximum of 35 days in any calendar year. Facilities may provide temporary overnight shelter to no more
than 15 persons in one 24-hour period.
Limitations on existing buildings. All persons receiving temporary shelter shall sleep and eat within the building. No person
shall eat or be housed in tents, lean-tos or other temporary facilities. No building or structure shall be erected, enlarged or
modified for temporary shelter without an approved permit as required by the Ohio Building Code.
Conformance with local and state laws. A facility providing temporary shelter to persons must be operated in conformance
with all local and state laws. The City will conduct safety inspections to ensure that:
• The number of persons sheltered in a facility does not exceed the maximum square footage and occupancy standards
contained in the Ohio Building Code; and
• The facility has adequate egress and fire detection systems for life safety.
Completed application forms. A separate application shall be filed for each site. Each application must be signed by one of
the following:
• All owners of the real property included in the site; or
• A person having lawful power of attorney therefore.
Description of subject property. A description of the property is required encompassing the property and listing the address
and parcel I.D. A simple drawing of the proposed area of the building must be submitted with the application.
Building plans. There are two options to obtain occupancy and use approval under the Ohio Building Code, select one.
1. Change of use. Owner may request a one-time application for change of use by submitting construction documents with
an application in an existing building involving no new construction or additional square footage. This includes four copies
of plans and information showing: description of building and address; clear outline of the building and area where shelter
activities will occur; determination of compliance with change in occupancy/use as delineated in the Ohio Building Code,
including means of egress, sanitary facilities, light and ventilation features, fire-resistance rating of building, fire protection
features and cooking facilities.
2. Time-limited occupancy. Ohio Building Code Section 110.1.5 permits an alternative building use for a specific time limit
provided there are no pending building violations and, after inspection, the proposed use is not deemed to endanger public
safety or welfare. Upon written request of the owner, the building official may approve use for an alternative purpose on a
temporary basis, contingent upon compliance with all special conditions. Owner must submit a written request using Form A
for each intended period of use. Certificate of Occupancy will be valid only for that specific period.
Management plan. A Permit Application for temporary shelter in facilities must contain a management plan that describes the
physical and operational characteristics of the proposed use.
TEMPORARY SHELTER
PERMIT APPLICATION
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