General Contractor Serving Gahanna, Ohio
We are based in Lancaster, about 40 minutes south of Gahanna, and we take on additions, decks, kitchen and bath remodels, and roofing here. Inside city limits, permits run through Gahanna’s Building and Zoning divisions on the city’s online portal. In Blendon, Jefferson, Mifflin or Plain Township, they go through Franklin County. We confirm which before we price the job.
What We Build in Gahanna
Gahanna has a mix of 1960s and 70s ranches and split-levels, newer subdivisions, and larger estate lots. The older houses tend to need kitchens, baths and more room; the newer ones need decks and finished space.
Home additions
family rooms, primary suites and in-law suites framed and roofed to match the house, with the building permit filed through the city portal.
Decks and covered porches
decks on frost-depth footings with flashed ledgers, plus covered porches and pergolas, sited to meet the zoning setbacks for your lot.
Kitchen remodels
walls opened, layouts reworked, new cabinets, islands and counters, with plumbing and electrical permitted.
Bathrooms
tiled showers, tub-to-shower conversions and primary bath rebuilds, waterproofed before tile.
Roofing and siding
tear-offs, storm damage repair and siding replacement.
Pole barns and garages
detached garages and post-frame buildings on larger lots. Anything over 200 square feet needs a building permit in the city.
Who Handles Your Permit in Gahanna
A Gahanna mailing address can be inside the city or in one of four townships. The parcel decides.
Gahanna Building Division
Residential building permits, plan review and inspections inside city limits. Applications are online only through the city’s OpenGov portal. (614) 342-4010.
Gahanna Zoning Division
Zoning permits for smaller decks, sheds and other accessory structures, and setback questions. (614) 342-4025.
Franklin County Public Health
Plumbing inspections for work inside Gahanna. (614) 525-3160.
Franklin County Building Department
Building permits for homes in unincorporated Blendon, Jefferson, Mifflin and Plain townships. 142 S. Front St., Columbus. (614) 525-3166.
Township zoning
Blendon, Jefferson and Plain townships issue their own zoning compliance letter before the county permit. Mifflin Township zoning is handled by Franklin County.
Accessory Structure Setbacks in Gahanna
Sheds, detached garages, pergolas and similar structures go behind the house, top out at 15 feet, and keep these distances from the side and rear lot lines under the 2024 zoning code.
ER (Estate)
20 ft side, 40 ft rear.
R-1 (Large Lot)
10 ft side, 10 ft rear.
R-2 (Medium Lot)
5 ft side, 10 ft rear.
R-3 (Small Lot)
5 ft side, 5 ft rear.
Credentials You Can Check
- Licensed, bonded and insured, with general liability and workers’ compensation on every jobsite
- Gahanna dropped contractor registration in 2023. Instead, a certificate of at least $500,000 in liability insurance goes with every building permit application. Ask any contractor for theirs
- Written line-item estimates and a written workmanship warranty on every job
- Owner-operated: Adam prices the job and is on the job
Permit rules change by address
This page is general guidance as of October 2026. City limits, township lines and your zoning district decide what your project needs. We confirm it for your address before we price the job.
Gahanna Building Questions, Answered
Do I need a permit for a home addition in Gahanna?
Yes. A residential addition inside city limits needs a building permit from the Gahanna Building Division, applied for online through the city’s OpenGov portal. Single-family homes are exempt from the city’s Development Plan review, so most additions go straight to building plan review.
Do I need a permit for a deck in Gahanna?
Yes, one kind or another. A freestanding deck under 200 square feet needs only a zoning permit. A deck that is attached to the house, over 200 square feet, more than 30 inches above grade, or serving a required exit door needs a residential building permit. Both need a basic site plan showing easements and no-build zones.
Who issues permits for Gahanna addresses outside city limits?
The Franklin County Building Department. In Blendon, Jefferson and Plain townships you get a zoning compliance letter from the township first. In Mifflin Township, Franklin County Economic Development & Planning handles zoning as part of the county permit.
Does Gahanna require contractors to register?
Not since August 2023. Instead, contractors attach a certificate of liability insurance with at least $500,000 in coverage to each building permit application.
How close to the property line can I build a shed or garage in Gahanna?
It depends on your zoning district. Accessory structures go behind the house, are limited to 15 feet tall, and need 5 to 20 feet from the side line and 5 to 40 feet from the rear line, depending on the district. Under 200 square feet needs a zoning permit; over 200 needs a building permit.
How much does a home addition cost in Gahanna?
Size, foundation and whether it includes a bathroom matter most. Published Columbus-area ranges run roughly $75 to $190 per square foot for a basic room addition, more for a suite or second story. We price by line item after we see the site.