Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 areas verified on 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, 2025Replaced the 2017 Ohio Fire Code on Nov 20, 2025. Operational and maintenance rules apply to existing buildings; construction rules only in listed cases. SFM interpretations bind statewide. Update tightened ERRCS acceptance testing and Group A alarm thresholds. SourceVerified 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; no newer edition on the SFM proposed-rules page; next five-year rule review Nov 20, 2030 |
| Building | 2024 Ohio Building Code, OAC 4101:1 (2021 IBC with 2021 IEBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-2019, NFPA 70-2023), effective Mar 1, 2024Board of Building Standards adopted the 2021 I-codes by reference with Ohio amendments. Notable changes: mass-timber construction types, work-area method option for existing-building alterations, storm shelters for Group E schools. SourceVerified 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) | Comments due Sep 30, 2026BBS five-year-review amendments to the 2024 OBC, Plumbing Code and Residential Code (not a new model edition) proposed; comments due Sep 30, 2026; hearing and effective date TBD |
| Elevators | ORC Chapter 4105 + OAC 4101:5 (effective Jul 1, 2024): ASME A17.1-2019, A17.3-2020, A17.6-2017, A17.7-2007, A18.1-2020, A90.1-2015, ESTA E1.42-2018Passenger and freight elevators, escalators and moving walks must be inspected twice every 12 months (power dumbwaiters yearly). Certificates of operation issue only with fees paid and safety tests current; escalators with any violation come out of service. SourceVerified 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 forceIn force; no pending elevator rule amendment found on Board of Building Standards pages |
| Boilers | ORC Chapter 4104 + OAC 4101:4 (effective Jul 1, 2024): ASME BPVC 2023, NBIC 2023 (Part 3 referenced), ASME CSD-1 2021, ASME B31.1-2022Annual certificate of operation required. Power/high-pressure boilers: internal and external inspection at least yearly (biennial if approved); low-pressure boilers: external yearly, internal every 3 years (cast iron excepted); process boilers every 3 years. SourceVerified 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 forceIn force; no pending boiler rule amendment found on Board of Building Standards pages |
| 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, 2024No public pool or spa, hotel pools included, operates without a license. Operators test disinfectant and pH before opening and every 4 hours (less often with automatic controllers), keep records 2 years, report EMS incidents within 72 hours. SourceVerified 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 forceIn force; no proposed 3701-31 amendment found on ODH pool pages |
| Lodging | ORC Chapter 3731 (Hotels): State Fire Marshal hotel/SRO facility license required for properties with more than five sleeping rooms; all licenses expire Dec 31 each year (renewal fees per ORC 3731.031, amended Apr 6, 2023)SFM inspects before issuing or renewing a license and whenever necessary; owners must make ordered alterations within the time set. License types: transient, transient 270, extended stay, SRO, residential. Transient hotels allowing stays to 270 days need fire alarm/detection. SourceVerified 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, 2026Annual renewal: every hotel/SRO license expires Dec 31, 2026; renewal must be received before then (late renewal incurs a reactivation fee) |
| Workplace | Federal OSHA jurisdiction; Ohio is not an OSHA-approved State PlanOhio is not an OSHA-approved State Plan; federal OSHA covers most private-sector employers, including hotels, HOAs and facility operators. State and local government workers fall outside federal OSHA coverage. SourceVerified on the source | U.S. Department of Labor - OSHA (private sector) | In force |
| 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 buildingsRemaining Chapter 11 retrofits (high-rise sprinkler-or-alternative, hotel fire-alarm upgrades) apply to existing buildings only where the fire code official finds a distinct hazard. No statewide structural recertification or ERRCS retrofit deadline found. SourceVerified 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 |
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. Replaced the 2017 Ohio Fire Code on Nov 20, 2025. Operational and maintenance rules apply to existing buildings; construction rules only in listed cases. SFM interpretations bind statewide. Update tightened ERRCS acceptance testing and Group A alarm thresholds. 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.
2024 Ohio Building Code, OAC 4101:1 (2021 IBC with 2021 IEBC, IMC, IPC, IFGC, IECC/ASHRAE 90.1-2019, NFPA 70-2023), effective Mar 1, 2024. Board of Building Standards adopted the 2021 I-codes by reference with Ohio amendments. Notable changes: mass-timber construction types, work-area method option for existing-building alterations, storm shelters for Group E schools. 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 (effective Jul 1, 2024): ASME A17.1-2019, A17.3-2020, A17.6-2017, A17.7-2007, A18.1-2020, A90.1-2015, ESTA E1.42-2018). 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 + OAC 4101:4 (effective Jul 1, 2024): ASME BPVC 2023, NBIC 2023 (Part 3 referenced), ASME CSD-1 2021, ASME B31.1-2022).
Ohio is a federal-OSHA state: the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforces workplace safety rules directly.
Building: Comments due Sep 30, 2026 (BBS five-year-review amendments to the 2024 OBC, Plumbing Code and Residential Code (not a new model edition) proposed; comments due Sep 30, 2026; hearing and e); Lodging: License renewal Dec 31, 2026 (Annual renewal: every hotel/SRO license expires Dec 31, 2026; renewal must be received before then (late renewal incurs a reactivation fee)); Sep 30, 2026: Written-comment deadline on Board of Building Standards five-year-review amendments to the 2024 Ohio Building Code, Ohio Plumbing Code and Residential Code of Ohio (2nd eNotification Sep 23, 2026; public hearing TBD); Dec 31, 2026: All Ohio hotel and SRO facility licenses expire; renewal applications must be received by the State Fire Marshal before this date.
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