Executive Russ Pry and Mayor Don Plusquellic Announce City of Akron and County of Summit Building Standards Consolidation February 2, 2009

After months of coordination between the City of Akron and the County of Summit, the divisions of their respective Building Standards will consolidate on Monday, February 2, 2009. The County Division of Building Standards is located at 1030 East Tallmadge Avenue in Akron, next to The Job Center.

Beginning February 2, 2009, the County will add permitting and inspecting all structures within the City of Akron, both residential and commercial, and three feet around the structure to their current responsibilities.

“This strengthens and streamlines operations, while following our regionalization philosophy of good government,” stated City of Akron Mayor Donald Plusquellic. “Now more than ever, it is important that we eliminate redundancies wherever we can.”

The City of Akron will continue to perform various functions, including engineering, utilities, architectural and miscellaneous permitting (tent, pit bull, etc). As an added convenience for citizens and contractors, the City of Akron will maintain a satellite office within the County’s Division of Building Standards. This “one-stop” approach will better serve the public while streamlining the process for both the City and County.

“This merger shows why regionalism is so important in today’s economy,” Executive Pry said. “We are saving tax dollars for both the City and the County and by making it a one-stop facility; it enhances services to both contractors and citizens.”

The County of Summit Division of Building Standards regulates the construction, demolition and occupancy of buildings and structures within the Summit County jurisdiction. Building Standards reviews, approves, and issues all permits required by code for the new construction, repair, alteration, or addition to all public and private buildings and structures. Building Standards annually registers all construction contractors, including general trades, plumbing, mechanical and electrical. Our primary mission is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of the residents of Summit County.

“The staff within the Division of Building Standards is prepared for the consolidation and is eager to begin assisting the citizens of Akron,” said Connie Krauss, director of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The County of Summit Division of Building Standards serves 22 jurisdictions – The County Townships of Bath, Boston, Copley, Coventry, Northfield Center, Richfield, Sagamore Hills, Springfield, Twinsburg; the Villages of Boston Heights, Clinton, Lakemore, Mogadore, Northfield, Peninsula, Richfield; and the Cities of New Franklin, Fairlawn, Green, Hudson, Munroe Falls and now Akron.

Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. A toll-free hotline has been set up to take calls from citizens and/or contractors who may have questions relating to the consolidation. Please call 1-866-494-3190.