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    • Home
    • Forms
    • Departments
      • Mayor's Office
      • Police
      • Fire
      • Courts
      • Law Director
      • Finance
      • Compliance and Zoning
      • Fountain Cemetery
      • Parks and Rec
      • Street
      • Water and Sewer
      • Water Treatment
      • Waste Water Treatment
    • Ordinances
    • Pay your bill
    • Contact
    • Council
      • Meetings
      • Proposed Legislation
      • Meet our City Council
    • Airport
    • Careers
    • Mobile Food Units
    • Recycle Fostoria
    • GLO
    • Celebration Tree Program
    • Fair Housing Resources
    • MS4 Program
    • Civil Service Commission
  • Home
  • Forms
  • Departments
    • Mayor's Office
    • Police
    • Fire
    • Courts
    • Law Director
    • Finance
    • Compliance and Zoning
    • Fountain Cemetery
    • Parks and Rec
    • Street
    • Water and Sewer
    • Water Treatment
    • Waste Water Treatment
  • Ordinances
  • Pay your bill
  • Contact
  • Council
    • Meetings
    • Proposed Legislation
    • Meet our City Council
  • Airport
  • Careers
  • Mobile Food Units
  • Recycle Fostoria
  • GLO
  • Celebration Tree Program
  • Fair Housing Resources
  • MS4 Program
  • Civil Service Commission

Compliance and Zoning Department

Compliance Department: General Scope of Services

  • Respond to public or other inquiries relative to policies and procedures on specific projects and other information. Evaluate issues and options regarding municipal public works and make recommendations.
  • Assist the administration in establishing policy and procedures.
  • Attend City Council meetings as needed or directed and represents the City on various commissions, committees and at meetings with the public and governmental agencies.  Prepare and present information to City Council at work sessions or at council meetings.
  • Answer technical questions.
  • Provide project management for the construction of the municipal public works projects.
  • Oversee assigned projects to ensure contractor compliance with time and budget parameters for the project.
  • Maintain records of all projects.
  • Maintain regular contact with government agencies, professional and technical groups, and the general public.
  • Provide support to other city departments.
  • Provide advice to Mayor, City Council, Planning Commission and administration on compliance related issues.
  • Prepare reports for the Mayor and City Council as required.


Zoning Department

 
The zoning office has the responsibility for providing support for the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals. 

Responsible functions also include issuing a variety of permits, such as zoning, sidewalk, driveway, fence, and swimming pools.  The department is also responsible for the inspection and enforcement of all zoning laws including Property Maintenance.

 Code enforcement for multi-family and commercial projects is administered through Seneca County Building Department.. Seneca County Building Department may be contacted at

Phone: 419-447-8022 ext. 6515
Email: senecacountybuildingdept@safebuilt.com 

NOTE: Please only contact the Seneca County Building Department regarding code enforcement for multi-family and commercial projects. They are NOT responsible for zoning matters in the City of Fostoria. The Zoning office contact information can be found at the bottom of this page. 

Online Portals

PermitsFor ContractorsFile a Complaint/Find an Existing Case

Frequently Requested Forms

Zoning Permit Application Zoning FeesZoning Setbacks: IllustrationApplication for VarianceContractor License ApplicationPlanning Commission Application for Site Plan ReviewRegistered Waste HaulerDrain Layer License

Official Zoning District Map

To view the most updated version of Fostoria's Official Zoni
Click Here

Contact Us

Compliance/Zoning Department

213 South Main Street, Fostoria, Ohio 44830, United States

Zoning and Compliance Manager: Jeffrey Huber Phone: (419) 435-9775 Email: compliance@fostoriaohio.gov

Hours

Open today

08:00 am – 04:30 pm

Closed for lunch daily from 12:00PM-12:30PM

Please note that while the zoning and compliance office has set hours, there are many times when no one is in office due to being out in the field. 

Closed on all Major Holidays

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact the zoning and compliance office if you cannot find an answer to your question.

 Yes. A shed no matter what size or if it is pre-built, a permit is required to ensure that setback requirement are met. 


 A permit is required for any pool with a maximum depth of more than 18 inches. 


 No.  Vehicles must be parked legally on the street or on an improved driveway.  Parking on the boulevard is also not allowed (no wheels in the yard). 


 No.  Containers used for trash and garbage bags may only be set out on the boulevard every seven days for collection.
 


 Yes.  A Home Occupation Permit is required for use of a dwelling or accessory building for gainful employment involving the manufacture, provision, or sale of goods or services
 


 A violation may be reported by calling the office at 419-435-8243 or by email, zoning@fostoriaohio.gov or in person. 


 No. A call can be made confidentially, but if the information given is not complete or more information is needed the property cannot be inspected. 


 Grass or weeds cannot exceed 12 inches.  Failure to keep the grass or weeds cut is a minor misdemeanor punishable by a mandatory fine of not less than $50.00. 


 Fences can be constructed 6 inches from the neighboring property line and 5 feet from an alley right of way.  This does not assume that the sidewalk or curb is where your property line starts.  To accurately determine where your property line is property pins need to be located or the lot needs to be surveyed. 


 In residential zoning districts, boats, RV's and utility trailers are required to be parked behind the front building line of the your house.  This requirement applies on both lot frontages of a corner lot.  Boats, RV’s,  and utility trailers can be parked or stored no closer than five feet to any lot line and more than ten feet from the main structure and parked on an improved surface such as asphalt, concrete, crushed stone or pavers (a permit is required).Type your paragraph here. 


City of Fostoria

213 South Main Street, Fostoria, Ohio 44830, United States

419-435-8282

Copyright © 2025 City of Fostoria - All Rights Reserved.

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