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Building and Zoning

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1. I received a "Notice to Abate a Nuisance." What does this mean?

When a property has been declared a Nuisance by the Prairie Township Board of Trustees, a title search is conducted and all owners, lien holders, and parties of interest on the title are notified that there is an issue with the property. If you have received one of these letters and do not have an interest in the property stated on the notification, please discard the letter. 

If you are the owner, a lien holder, or a party of interest of the property, this is your legal notification that there is an issue with the property. The letter will indicate the amount of time allotted to fixing the issue(s). Once this time has elapsed, the property will be turned over to the Prairie Township Road Department. They will place the property on their schedule to abate the nuisance and the taxes will be assessed with all charges incurred.

2. I received a Trash Citation Tag on my door. What do I need to do?

A Trash Citation Tag is a courtesy notice to the residents of the property notifying them that there is a Trash Resolution in Prairie Township.

This Resolution requires you to have a registered trash hauler, trash cans of adequate size with tight fitting lids, no trash bags placed outside of trash containers, and containers must be removed from curb within 24hrs after regularly scheduled pickup.

If your property does not come into compliance by the date stated on the door hanger, your property will go through the Citation Process and will be subject to civil fines.

3. I received a Trash Citation in the mail. What do I need to do?

Your property is in violation of the Prairie Township Trash Resolution is is currently going through the Citation process. 

You must answer the Citation in person or by mail to the Prairie Township Fiscal Officer at 23 Maple Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43228:

• Admit the violation charged, waive your right to a hearing in Court, and remit the fine in the amount indicated; or
• Deny the violation charged and request a Court Hearing (court to set hearing date).

4. Can I have chickens or farm animals on my property?

Chickens and farm animals are not permitted on lots of one acre or less and are not permitted in any platted subdivision.

5. Can I have a yard sale?

Yes, you can have a yard sale, however, you do need to obtain a permit first. You can find the application here on the Zoning Department's page. 

Yard sale permits are limited to three (3) permits per year, for a period of no more than four (4) consecutive days. 

Yard sale permits are $3 for single family homes, $25 for organizations and all others.

6. Can I hunt on Prairie Township property?

Prairie Township allows hunting on its Open Space properties after a permit has been obtained. To obtain a permit, stop into the Prairie Township Building and Zoning Department with a photo ID, a valid hunting license, and a completed Open Space Permit application. Hunting permits are valid from September-February. 

The Prairie Township Open Space application, map, and guidelines can be found on the Zoning Department's page.

7. Do I need a permit to build a fence on my property?

Yes, you need to obtain a permit for any structure on your property prior to construction or repair. 

The Zoning Compliance (Permit) application can be found on the Zoning Department's page.

8. Do I need a permit to replace my roof?

Yes, you need to obtain a permit for any structure on your property prior to construction or repair. 

The Zoning Compliance (Permit) application can be found on the Zoning Department's page.

9. Do I need a permit to sell door-to-door?

In order to sell or advertise items door-to-door, you will need to obtain a Transient Vendor Permit from Prairie Township. 

The application and regulations can be found on the Zoning Department's page.

No Transient Vendor shall enter upon the premises of, call upon, knock at the door of, or ring the doorbell of any residence, house, apartment or other dwelling in the Township which is at that time on the Do Not Knock Registry.

10. Do you do residential zoning?

Yes, the Prairie Township Commercial Building and Zoning Department handles both Residential and Commercial Zoning, as well as Commercial Building. 

11. Do you take credit cards?

The Prairie Township Zoning Department accepts cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. 

12. How can I determine where my lot lines are?

Prairie Township does not keep records of property lot lines. It is the responsibility of the property owner to know where his/her lot lines are. 

13. How do I dispose of tree and shrub trimmings?

The Prairie Township Trustees Curbside Chipper Program provides residents curb service in collecting and disposing of tree and shrub trimmings.

To insure pickup within 1 to 7 days, residents must schedule this service through a request link on the Township website or by calling the Road Department directly at 614-878-3316 and leaving a name, address and daytime phone number.

14. How do I file a Nuisance or Zoning complaint?

You can file a Nuisance or Zoning complaint by: 

• Sending a complaint via the website: https://www.prairietownship.org/RequestTracker.aspx
• Call the Building and Zoning Department at (614) 982-2190
• Email: sswisher@prairietownship.org

Please include the property address that you are filing a complaint on, as well as a detailed description of the issues. Complaints may be anonymous - you are not required to leave contact information. Inspectors are not permitted to enter private property to inspect. Violations must be able to be seen from the road, or we must have permission from a property owner to go on their property to view violations.

15. How do I report an inoperable vehicle?

If the vehicle is located on the road, contact the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department non-emergency number at 614-525-3333.

If the vehicle is located on private property, please notify the Zoning Department by one of the following methods:

• Send a complaint via the website: https://www.prairietownship.org/RequestTracker.aspx
• Call the Building and Zoning Department at (614) 982-2190
• Email:  ccritchfield@prairietownship.org

Please include the property address that you are filing a complaint on, as well as a detailed description of the issues. Complaints may be anonymous - you are not required to leave contact information. Inspectors are not permitted to enter private property to inspect. Violations must be able to be seen from the road, or we must have permission from a property owner to go on their property to view violations.

16. How do I submit a Commercial Building Permit?

To submit a Commercial Building Permit, you will need the following:

• completed Commercial Building Permit Application (available on the Building and Zoning webpage);
• three (3) sets of engineer stamped drawings; and 
• $150 deposit (cash or check made payable to Prairie Township). 
• Final amount due is payable upon pickup of the Certificate of Plan Approval, Adjudication Order, or Certificate of Occupancy, less deposit paid. 

Plans will not be released prior to payment of the full amount due. 

When resubmitting plans/revisions due to an Adjudication Order, a deposit is not required.

The Commercial Fee Schedule can be found on the Building and Zoning webpage.

17. How much does a residential zoning permit cost?

A residential Zoning Compliance (Permit) is $25.00 for under 200sqft, or $50 for 200sqft and above. Fences, pools, siding, and roofs are a flat $25.00.

18. What is a Variance and when do I need one?

A Variance is needed when an applicant wishes to do something on their property that is not permitted by the Prairie Township Zoning Resolution. 

The Variance Application and BZA Meeting Schedule can be found on the Zoning Department's page.

The Zoning Inspector will provide the proper paperwork to the applicant, file it with the Board, and assist the applicant through the Variance process.

19. What types of projects require a Zoning Compliance (Permit)?

Any time you add to, modify, or change structures on your property, you need to obtain a Zoning Compliance (Permit). This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Sheds
• Fences
• Siding
• Roofing
• Windows
• Driveways
• Building Additions

The application for a residential Zoning Compliance (Permit) can be found on the Zoning Department's page. 

Once a Zoning Compliance (Permit) has been obtained, you may be required to obtain a Building Permit from the Franklin County Building Department (614-525-3166).

20. When is the Zoning Department open?

The Zoning Department is open from 8am-4:30pm Monday thru Friday.

We are closed on all Federal Holidays.

21. Where can I find a map of Prairie Township?

You can view a Zoning map of Prairie Township here: https://www.prairietownship.org/DocumentCenter/View/7464/Prairie-Township-Zoning-Map-2023

This map indicates all Zoning Districts.