Zoning Department
The Zoning Department, a division of the Public Works Department, enforces the zoning code and property maintenance code within the City of Norwalk. This office also issues residential and commercial property zoning permits while maintaining the GIS mapping and reviewing site plans.
Zoning Permits
What kind of work requires a zoning permit?
Exterior alterations and additions of all residential and commercial buildings, excluding siding, roofs, windows, and shingles, require permits
See the Zoning Fee Schedule for more information on the cost of a permit. If you are unsure whether or not a permit is required, please contact the Zoning Office at 419-663-6783.
How do I obtain a zoning permit?
Contact the Zoning Office at 419-663-6783 to discuss setbacks and regulations. The office, located on the second floor at City Hall, is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm.
Complete the appropriate application. Applications can be obtained on this website or by accessing the City of Norwalk GIS map here. Click on the appropriate parcel and complete the attached zoning permit. If the work will be contracted, a Construction Affidavit located here will also need to be completed and submitted with your application.
Residential permits and sign permits are issued upon review by the Zoning Officer, typically within one to two days of submittal unless additional information or a variance is required.
The City does not have a Building Inspector. the city does not have an electrician who does private propery electrical inspections. The city does not have a surveyor and cannot locate any property pins. all survey work should be directed to a certified surveyor of your choosing. All electrical questions should be directed to a certified electrician of your choosing.
New commercial or industrial permits require a site plan review. Review meetings are scheduled by the Zoning Officer as needed. Click here to access commercial building permit applications for the City of Norwalk.
Permit fees (view here) must be paid upon issuance of the permit.
Variances & Conditional Uses
An approved variance is required for anyone wishing to deviate from the zoning requirements of the Norwalk Codified Ordinances. A request for a variance must go before the Board of Zoning Appeals, which meets once monthly. The variance request fee is $100 plus cost of us postage for every property within 300 feet. VARIANCE APPLICATION (view here).
A conditional use refers to a use permitted within a zoning district other than a principally permitted use. A conditional use permit must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals, which meets once monthly. The conditional use permit request fee is $100 plus cost of us postage for every property within 300 feet. CONDITIONAL USE REQUEST FORM (view here).
Zoning Violations
A zoning violation occurs when a property does not meet the regulations as governed in the Zoning Ordinance.
The most common zoning violations in the City are junk/abandoned vehicles, exterior property and structure maintenance, and junk and other discarded materials. Property maintenance includes high grass and weeds and garbage/trash.
How do I report a zoning violation?
• Contact the Zoning Office at 419-663-6783
• Visit the Zoning Office, located on the second floor at City Hall, 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm.
What happens after a violation is reported?
The Zoning Officer will review the report and visit the site of the complaint
If the Zoning Officer determines there is a violation, the officer will issue the proper Abatement Notice to the property owner.
After a set amount of time, noted in the Abatement Notice, the site will be re-inspected for compliance.
If the violation is not corrected at the time of re-inspection, legal action will be initiated.
Grass, Weed and Vegetation Control in the City of Norwalk. click here for NCO 1306.12(b)
Please realize that the abatement process takes time. Property owners must be legally notified, sufficient time for correcting violations must be provided, and extensions may be necessary. If you have made a complaint and wish to check on its status, please feel free to contact the Zoning Officer.
GIS Mapping
What is it?
The City of Norwalk GIS (view here) is an interactive mapping system that allows users to retrieve property information by turning layers on and off and by selecting features on the map. Information in this system includes, but is not limited to:
• Parcel information linked to the Huron County Auditor
• Zoning district, zoning permit and development standards/setbacks
• Wetland and floodplain location
• City parks
• Public buildings, including hours of operation and contact information
• Sanitation pickup routes
• Ward map and councilperson contact information
huron county Townships
For contact information on any of the Huron County Townships click here.
huron county Land Bank
For further Land Bank information click here.
Please feel free to contact the Zoning Officer if you need assistance navigating the GIS map.
DISCLAIMER The parcel information depicted on this map is for informational purposes and may not have been prepared for or be suitable for legal, engineering, or surveying purposes. It does not represent on-the-ground survey and represents only the approximate relative location of property boundaries.
38 Whittlesey, Norwalk, Ohio 44857
419-663-6783 ph 419-663-6788 fax
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
E-mail Zoning Officer Mitch Loughton
