Downtown Tiffin · Business & Property Resources
Your guide to renovating in Downtown Tiffin
Opening a storefront, restoring a façade, or bringing new life to an upper floor? Follow these steps to plan your project, connect with the right people, and get the approvals you need before work begins.
Define your project
Start with your downtown property address, how each part of the building is currently used, and what you want to change. A short description, current photos, and a basic sketch will help Donna and the reviewing departments understand your plans.
If you are leasing, involve the property owner early. Before committing to a space, ask whether your proposed use and improvements can be approved, especially if you are changing a storefront’s use or renovating an upper floor.
Does your project include any of these?
These are common reasons to check permit and design-review requirements. Select a category for examples.
Renovating the interior or an upper floor
- Adding, removing, or relocating walls
- Creating offices, restrooms, kitchens, or other rooms
- Altering doors, stairs, or exits
- Making accessibility improvements
- Renovating vacant or underused upper-floor space
Opening a business or changing how a space is used
- Moving a new business into an existing storefront
- Converting retail or office space to a restaurant, gathering space, or another use
- Increasing the number of occupants
- Converting upper floors to apartments, offices, or another use
No construction planned? Ask about zoning and occupancy requirements before moving in. The previous business’s use or approval may not cover your plans.
Updating the storefront or building exterior
- Painting or changing exterior colors
- Cleaning, repairing, or repointing masonry
- Repairing or replacing windows, doors, awnings, or roofing
- Adding or replacing signs or exterior lighting
- Changing gutters, downspouts, fire escapes, or exterior stairs
Check whether your property is in the Downtown Design Review District and whether the work needs Architectural Board of Review approval. See Step 3.
Expanding or changing the structure
- Building an addition or a new structure
- Adding a mezzanine, canopy, deck, or ramp
- Making structural modifications
- Removing part or all of a structure
Updating building systems or equipment
- Installing or replacing heating, cooling, or ventilation equipment or ductwork
- Changing electrical service, panels, wiring, or lighting
- Adding or relocating plumbing fixtures
- Installing or modifying fire alarms or sprinklers
- Installing commercial kitchen equipment or exhaust hoods
What about small projects? Some interior painting, flooring, decorating, and minor repairs may not require building approval. Check first if work affects exits, accessibility, fire protection, structural components, building systems, or the use of the space. Check exterior work with Donna before assuming it is exempt from design review.
Confirm which permits you need
The Seneca County Building Department partners with SAFEbuilt for commercial building permits and inspections in Tiffin. Share your address, existing use, and full project description, including any upper-floor or mixed-use changes.
Ask about building, electrical, mechanical, and occupancy approvals, whether you need an Ohio-licensed architect or engineer, and which other departments should review the project.
Seneca County Building Department / SAFEbuilt
Confirm every approval your project needs. Building permits, zoning approval, downtown design review, and any plumbing, fire, or food-service approvals serve different purposes. An ABR approval does not replace a building permit, and a building permit does not replace required ABR approval.
Check zoning, signage, and exterior changes
Downtown projects often involve both the building’s use and its historic appearance. Confirm that your proposed use is allowed, then check design-review requirements before finalizing exterior work or ordering signs, windows, or other materials.
Start with the address. Ask Donna to confirm whether your property falls within the Downtown Design Review District and the façade grant target area. Eligibility depends on the specific property and project.
Planning to apply for a façade grant? Talk with Donna before work starts. Grant approval must come first, and design review may still be required when no grant is involved.
Architectural Board of Review: what to do before exterior work
The Architectural Board of Review (ABR) reviews changes within the Design Review District to protect downtown’s historic and architectural character. Review may be needed for storefronts, paint colors, masonry, windows, doors, signs, awnings, lighting, roofing, stairs, new construction, or demolition.
- Discuss the project with Donna. Confirm the district boundaries and the review needed.
- Prepare your materials. Gather current photos, a description of the work, materials and colors, and drawings as needed.
- Submit a Certificate of Appropriateness application. Coordinate the submission and meeting timing with Donna.
- Complete the review. Present the project as required and obtain approval before beginning work that needs ABR review.
Design review may be required even if you are not applying for a grant.
Learn about Downtown Tiffin’s ABR process
City district map, design guidelines & applications
Façade Enhancement Grant: check eligibility before starting
The program generally reimburses up to 50% of qualifying exterior improvement costs, with a standard maximum grant of $10,000. Funding depends on eligibility, approval, and availability. Ask Donna about current funding and any additional awards available under the program guidelines.
Receive grant approval before work begins. Eligible work may include façade painting, masonry, awnings, windows, doors, roofing, gutters, and exterior upper-floor access. Interior renovations and routine business expenses are not covered by this program.
Prepare your application
- Façade grant and Certificate of Appropriateness applications
- Project description and current photos of the work area
- Drawings to scale showing the proposed work and colors
- Itemized contractor estimates; generally, at least two quotes if any portion of the work exceeds $3,000
- A completed W-9
Donna can explain the requirements and any exceptions. Confirm the approved scope and reimbursement amount before committing to work.
City zoning, signs, and contractor licensing
Contact the City of Tiffin Engineering Department about your proposed use, signs, site plans, setbacks, lot coverage, driveways, and right-of-way access. Ask which local approvals are needed before your building plans can move forward.
For signs, confirm both City sign requirements and any ABR review before ordering or installing them. If construction will affect a sidewalk, street, or alley, ask Engineering what arrangements or approvals are needed.
Dan Brickner, Zoning Inspector
419-448-5425
dbrickner@tiffinohio.gov
General contractors working in Tiffin must hold a City of Tiffin general contractor license. Confirm licensing before work begins.
Donna Gross, Downtown Tiffin Main Street Manager
419-447-4141
dgross@OneSeneca.org
Prepare plans and obtain approvals
Work with your contractor and an Ohio-licensed architect or engineer when needed to prepare the drawings and applications. Confirm who will submit each application and schedule inspections.
Coordinate design, building, and other reviews while your plans are being developed. Wait for the required permits and approvals before starting the work they cover.
Plumbing permits & inspections
Commercial plumbing permits for Tiffin projects are handled through the Erie County Health Department. Ask about plan review, permits, contractor registration, and inspections before installing or changing plumbing.
Erie County Health Department, Plumbing Program
419-626-5623 (ask for the plumbing program)
Fire safety & life safety review
Contact Tiffin Fire/Rescue early about exits, emergency lighting, fire extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, and required plan review or inspections. Describe any upper-floor use or changes in the number of occupants.
Tiffin Fire/Rescue Division
419-448-5444
ahannam@tiffinohio.gov
Restaurants and other food businesses
Contact the Seneca County General Health District before building or remodeling a food business, purchasing equipment, or changing an operation. Ask about food-facility plan review, licensing, ownership changes, and reopening an existing location.
Seneca County General Health District, Environmental Health
419-447-3691, ext. 6321
92 E. Perry Street, Tiffin, OH 44883
Complete the work and required inspections
Before construction starts, confirm the inspection schedule with each department involved. Some inspections happen during construction, before work is covered or enclosed.
- Keep approved plans, permits, and any ABR approval available for your project team.
- Make sure your contractor knows which inspections are needed and who will schedule them.
- Ask the reviewing departments about changes to your plans, exterior materials, or colors before making them.
- Keep itemized invoices, payment records, and photos for grant-funded work.
Let Donna know your anticipated construction schedule so she can help you connect with the appropriate downtown and City contacts as questions arise.
Get final approval before using the space
When the work is complete, arrange final inspections with all applicable departments. Confirm that the space is approved for your intended use before moving in, opening, or reopening.
- Building: Confirm final approval and any required Certificate of Occupancy with SAFEbuilt.
- Fire: Complete the required fire and life safety inspections. Tiffin requires a final fire occupancy inspection before a new business opens.
- Plumbing and health: Complete applicable final inspections and obtain the necessary operating licenses.
- Façade grant: Submit the required completion and payment records to Donna for reimbursement review.
Finishing a Façade Enhancement Grant project
Follow the City’s completion instructions. Submit paid invoices, documentation of cleared payments, and photos of the completed improvements to Donna. The City Engineer’s representative will verify the completed work.
The current guidelines require reimbursement documents by December 1 of the calendar year following approval. Confirm your project’s deadline and keep copies of everything submitted.
Ready to welcome customers?
Once your approvals are in place, connect with Donna about your opening, business directory listing, and downtown merchant resources. Keep your permits, inspection records, licenses, and final approvals with your property or business records.