Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 9 of 9 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. Federal OSHA state.
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | Ohio Fire Code, OAC 1301:7-7 (2025 update): 2021 IFC Chapters 1-11 and 20-80 plus 2024 IFC Chapter 12, with Ohio amendments, effective Nov 20, 2025Rule 1301:7-7-01 (effective Nov 20, 2025) adopts Chapter 1 and Chapters 20-80 of the 2021 IFC and Chapter 12 of the 2024 IFC, with Ohio changes, as the Ohio Fire Code. The State Fire Marshal or local fire official confirms how it applies to a given building. SourceChecked on the source | Division of State Fire Marshal, Dept of Commerce (Code Enforcement Bureau; statewide interpretations, variances, state-issued permits); local fire chiefs, fire code officials and certified fire safety inspectors enforce locally and are the first-contact AHJ | In forceIn force since Nov 20, 2025 |
| Building | Ohio Building Code, OAC 4101:1 (rule 4101:1-1-01 version effective Oct 15, 2025 still incorporates IBC 2021 Chapters 2-35 and Appendix H with Ohio amendments); 2024 OBC cycle effective Mar 1, 2024Rule 4101:1-1-01 (Oct 15, 2025 version, read Oct 15, 2026) incorporates the 2021 IBC, Chapters 2-35 and Appendix H, as the Ohio Building Code, with Ohio Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. What else changed on Oct 15, 2025 was not read. Confirm with the certified local building department. SourceChecked on the source | Board of Building Standards-certified municipal, county and township building departments; Division of Industrial Compliance (Bureau of Building Code Compliance) where no certified local department exists (ORC 3781.03) | Rulemaking pendingBoard of Building Standards amendments to the 2024 OBC/OPC: CSI filing Aug 21, 2026, revised drafts Sept 23, 2026, comments closed Sept 30, 2026; JCARR filing, hearing, adoption and effective date not yet set (BBS page re-read Oct 19, 2026) |
| Elevators | ORC Chapter 4105 + OAC 4101:5-3-01 (effective Jul 1, 2024): ASME A17.1-2019, A17.3-2020, A17.6-2017, A17.7-2007, A17.8-2016, A18.1-2020, A90.1-2015ORC 4105.10: passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks are inspected twice every 12 months; power dumbwaiters and similar equipment at least once every 12 months; private-residence elevators are excluded. Rule 4101:5-3-01 lets a newer ASME edition be used only if the whole standard is met and recorded. SourceChecked on the source | Dept of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance (state general inspectors; certificates of operation) plus insurer-designated special inspectors holding an Ohio certificate of competency; Board of Building Standards adopts the technical rules | In force |
| Boilers | ORC Chapter 4104 (boiler and pressure vessel safety) with OAC 4101:4 (code editions could not be confirmed on the primary page)ORC 4104.11: power and high-pressure boilers are inspected internally and externally at intervals of not more than one year (biennial if approved); low-pressure boilers externally yearly and internally every three years, cast iron excepted; process boilers every three years. The state boiler division confirms. SourceChecked on the source | Dept of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance (boiler section; certificates of operation, contractor registration, installation permits); inspections by general or special inspectors holding an Ohio commission; Board of Building Standards adopts the technical rules | In force |
| Pools | ORC Chapter 3749 + OAC 3701-31 (public swimming pools, spas, special use pools); licensor and licensee rules 3701-31-03/-04 amended effective Jul 25, 2024OAC 3701-31-04 (effective Jul 25, 2024): disinfectant tested daily before opening and every four hours (every 12 hours with an automatic controller); written water-quality records kept two years; death, serious injury, EMS response or multi-person illness reported to the licensor within 72 hours. The licensor confirms. SourceChecked on the source | Local boards of health (city and general health districts) license and inspect; Ohio Department of Health reviews plans, inspects construction, and acts as licensor where ORC 3749.07 applies | In force |
| Lodging | ORC Chapter 3731 (Hotels): State Fire Marshal license required for each hotel or SRO facility with more than five rooms; renewal application and fee due by Dec 1; all licenses expire Dec 31 each yearORC 3731.03 (eff. Sept 12, 2008) and 3731.031 (eff. Apr 6, 2023), read Oct 18, 2026: State Fire Marshal license required; renewal by Dec 1 each year; fees $25 (6-25 rooms), $50 (26-50), $75 (51-75), $100 (76+, hotels); licenses expire Dec 31. The Ohio Fire Code rule states a different minimum fee; State Fire Marshal confirms fee and renewal. SourceChecked on the source | Division of State Fire Marshal (hotel licensing and inspection, ORC 3731.02-3731.05); local fire officials enforce the Ohio Fire Code in hotels | License renewal Dec 31, 2026Renewal application due Dec 1, 2026; licenses expire Dec 31, 2026 |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Ohio is not an OSHA-approved State PlanOSHA's State Plan page does not list Ohio among approved State Plans; federal OSHA covers most private-sector employers in the state. State and local government employees are outside federal OSHA coverage. SourceChecked on the source | U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (private sector) | In forceIn force (osha.gov/stateplans read Oct 14, 2026: Ohio not listed as a State Plan) |
| Retrofit | Ohio Fire Code Chapter 11 (OAC 1301:7-7-11, eff. Nov 20, 2025): carbon monoxide detection mandatory in existing buildings (deadline Jan 1, 2019); Section 1104 egress rules apply to all existing buildingsRule text re-read Oct 19, 2026: Chapter 11 applies to existing buildings only where the fire code official finds a distinct hazard, except Section 1104 (all existing buildings), 1103.9 CO detection (by Jan 1, 2019) and 1103.11 when required. No statewide structural recertification or ERRCS retrofit deadline found. SourceChecked on the source | Division of State Fire Marshal and local fire code officials | In forceIn force; CO deadline passed Jan 1, 2019; no dated statewide retrofit deadline in the next 24 months |
| Environmental | Federal EPA baseline plus Ohio layer: UST registration with the State Fire Marshal's BUSTR (OAC 1301:7-9-04, yearly by June 30); Ohio EPA permit-to-install exemptions (OAC 3745-31-03, eff. Aug 14, 2025) and permit-by-rule (3745-31-30); asbestos notification (OAC 3745-20, eff. Jul 8, 2024); NPDES noncompliance and SSO reporting (OAC 3745-33, permit Part III); backflow prevention (OAC 3745-95, eff. Oct 10, 2022)BUSTR: annual UST registration by June 30, $100 per tank, 10% late fee. Air: emergency generators 50 hp or less and gas/oil boilers 10 MMBtu/h or less exempt; larger emergency engines under permit-by-rule, 500 hours per rolling year outside emergencies. Asbestos: notice 10 working days ahead. SSO: 24-hour notice, 5-day report. Backflow preventers tested yearly. SourceChecked on the source | Ohio EPA (Divisions of Air Pollution Control, Surface Water, Drinking and Ground Waters) with delegated local air agencies; Ohio Department of Commerce, State Fire Marshal BUSTR (USTs); public water suppliers run the backflow program (OAC 3745-95-02); local sewer utilities (grease interceptors, lift stations); U.S. EPA | Deadline Mar 1, 2027Next Tier II filing Mar 1, 2027; BUSTR annual UST registration due Jun 30, 2027; HFC automatic leak detection for 1,500 lb+ systems installed 2017-2025 by Jan 1, 2027; grease-interceptor and lift-station rules are local |
Ohio Fire Code, OAC 1301:7-7 (2025 update): 2021 IFC Chapters 1-11 and 20-80 plus 2024 IFC Chapter 12, with Ohio amendments, effective Nov 20, 2025. Rule 1301:7-7-01 (effective Nov 20, 2025) adopts Chapter 1 and Chapters 20-80 of the 2021 IFC and Chapter 12 of the 2024 IFC, with Ohio changes, as the Ohio Fire Code. The State Fire Marshal or local fire official confirms how it applies to a given building. Enforced by: Division of State Fire Marshal, Dept of Commerce (Code Enforcement Bureau; statewide interpretations, variances, state-issued permits); local fire chiefs, fire code officials and certified fire safety inspectors enforce locally and are the first-contact AHJ.
Ohio Building Code, OAC 4101:1 (rule 4101:1-1-01 version effective Oct 15, 2025 still incorporates IBC 2021 Chapters 2-35 and Appendix H with Ohio amendments); 2024 OBC cycle effective Mar 1, 2024. Rule 4101:1-1-01 (Oct 15, 2025 version, read Oct 15, 2026) incorporates the 2021 IBC, Chapters 2-35 and Appendix H, as the Ohio Building Code, with Ohio Mechanical and Plumbing Codes. What else changed on Oct 15, 2025 was not read. Confirm with the certified local building department. Enforced by: Board of Building Standards-certified municipal, county and township building departments; Division of Industrial Compliance (Bureau of Building Code Compliance) where no certified local department exists (ORC 3781.03).
Elevators: Dept of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance (state general inspectors; certificates of operation) plus insurer-designated special inspectors holding an Ohio certificate of competency; Board of Building Standards adopts the technical rules (ORC Chapter 4105 + OAC 4101:5-3-01 (effective Jul 1, 2024): ASME A17.1-2019, A17.3-2020, A17.6-2017, A17.7-2007, A17.8-2016, A18.1-2020, A90.1-2015). Boilers: Dept of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance (boiler section; certificates of operation, contractor registration, installation permits); inspections by general or special inspectors holding an Ohio commission; Board of Building Standards adopts the technical rules (ORC Chapter 4104 (boiler and pressure vessel safety) with OAC 4101:4 (code editions could not be confirmed on the primary page)).
Ohio is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Building: Rulemaking pending (Board of Building Standards amendments to the 2024 OBC/OPC: CSI filing Aug 21, 2026, revised drafts Sept 23, 2026, comments closed Sept 30, 2026; JCARR filing,); Lodging: License renewal Dec 31, 2026 (Renewal application due Dec 1, 2026; licenses expire Dec 31, 2026); Environmental: Deadline Mar 1, 2027 (Next Tier II filing Mar 1, 2027; BUSTR annual UST registration due Jun 30, 2027; HFC automatic leak detection for 1,500 lb+ systems installed 2017-2025 by Jan 1); Dec 31, 2026: Hotel and SRO licenses expire Dec 31 each year (ORC 3731.03(D)); renewal application and fee are due to the State Fire Marshal on or before Dec 1 (ORC 3731.031(A)); Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection on 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial refrigeration installed Jan 1, 2017 to Jan 1, 2026.
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