Permits
The Harrison Township Fire Department issues permits for operational conditions and construction activities. Generally, special events require permits but do not have an associated fee. Permits are governed by Standard Operating Procedure 600.02 – Fire Prevention Permit Fees and were approved and adopted by the Harrison Township Board of Trustees as of January 6, 2026. The most current version of SOP 600.02 can be found in the Forms section.
The Harrison Township Fire Department and Harrison Township Board of Trustees reserve the right to implement the use of additional permits or to discontinue the use of standing permits at any time.
Permit fees are non-refundable unless required by law.
Operational Permits
Operational permits are issued for activities that are taking place or materials being used or stored within a given facility. Operational permits are issued annually and valid for 365 days from date of issuance. Operational permits are issued by a Fire Code Official at the conclusion of the annual fire safety inspection for the facility. All operational permits issued by the Harrison Township Fire Department are issued by the authority granted to the Fire Department through the Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-01 (E)(6).
Payment for an a operational permit is due at issuance.
Select the permit to the right (or below if on mobile) for information.
Construction Permits
Construction permits are issued for the construction of specific systems or building service features. The systems or features will be identified by the Fire Code Official during the plan review process. Construction permits are only issued once per construction period. Should a building owner, or other responsible party, choose to renovate or modify the building in such a way that would require plans to be submitted and approved prior to work starting, new permits will be identified and issued again, if applicable. All construction permits issued by the Harrison Township Fire Department are issued by the authority granted to the Fire Department through the Ohio Administrative Code 1301:7-7-01 (E)(7).
All construction permit fees will be included in the invoice for plan review and are due within 30-days of receipt. Failure to pay permitting fees will result in any pending Certificate of Occupancy not being issued until payment for applicable fees is received by the Township Fiscal Officer.
Select the permit to the right (or below if on mobile) for more information.
Fireworks & Fire Watch
Fireworks
Fireworks permits are issued for aerial display fireworks and set pieces, lances and lance work displays. Permits are required for any firework display organized, conducted or otherwise responsible for by a licensed exhibitor.
OFC 5608.2 requires that a fireworks permit shall be obtained from local officials at least five days in advance of the fireworks exhibition. Failure to do so may result in denial of the approval required to conduct the fireworks exhibition.
Payment of permit fees and proof of financial responsibility requirements (OFC 5601.2.4.2) are required before the permit will be issued. Failure to remit payment and proof of financial responsibility will result in the permit not being issued and the display prohibited from being conducted.
Fireworks permits do not apply to civilian consumer displays. For more information about consumer fireworks laws, requirements and safety click here.
Select the display type to the right (or below if on mobile) for more information.
Fire Watch
The Harrison Township Fire Department offers facilities in the fire coverage area with the option to utilize Fire Department Personnel for the purpose of conducting fire watch on behalf of the company. Fire watch is required any time a fire and/or smoke detection system, or sprinkler system is inoperable pending repairs. If the occupant or responsible party elects to utilize Fire Department Personnel for fire watch, the follow fee will be assessed for services provided.
Inspector Required – A minimum of 1 inspector for every 250,000 square feet of area requiring fire watch is required per Fire Department policy.
Fire watch is billed at $100.00 per hour per required inspector and will continue until fire watch is no longer required by the Ohio Fire Code or inspectors are relieved by in-house employees to continue fire watch duties.
Payments
Permit fees and invoiced expenses are due by the date indicated on the permit or invoice issued.
Operational Permits: Permit fees are due, plus any additional inspection costs determined by the fire code official at the time of the annual fire safety inspection or no more than 30-days after the invoice is issued.
Construction Permits: Permit fees are due within 30-days of receipt. Failure to remit payment will result in the withholding of any and all Certificate of Occupancies for the associated facility until payment is received.
Fireworks Permits: Permit fees are due at the time of the permit application. Any additional time billed for aerial fireworks displays is due within 30-days of the conclusion of the exhibition.
Fire watch: Responsible parties will be invoiced within 30-days following the conclusion of fire watch services. Fees are due within 30-days of the invoice being issued.
All fees for permits, fireworks and fire watch shall be paid by business check (personal checks are not accepted), money order or cashier’s check made payable to:
Harrison Township
Attn: Township Clerk
PO Box 22
Ashville OH, 43013