Cincinnati building officials are about to lose $210,000 annually in permit fees, and they say that's OK.

        In a report that will be brought before City Council today, William Langevin, director of buildings and inspections, recommends doing away with some inspections on some single-family homes.

        “Of the major cities in Ohio, only the city of Columbus ... has permit limitations for one-, two- and three-family dwellings,” he said.

        This includes permits now needed for window, roof and fence replacement and installation of new siding, gutters, downspouts and flagpoles.

        Councilman Pat DeWine, who introduced the motion five months ago, said he is pleased that the city is willing to ease up on restrictions.

        “This makes it easier for people to own a home in this city,” he said Wednesday. “Now I have to make sure the council knows there are homeown ers who want this kind of reform.”

        Before the changes take place, a majority of council will have to approve the plan.

        Mr. DeWine said the changes will cut about 20 percent of the total permits issued in the city and will finally make the building ordinances the same as Hamilton County's.

        The permit cuts would only apply to dwellings not in an environmental quality or historic conservation district.

        Mr. Langevin said permits for these projects are in the low range of the city's fee schedule.

        And he said the cost of inspecting single-family homes is often more than the permit brings in.

        Permit fees vary according to the price of the work, and the money goes directly to the city's general fund. The loss, he said, will not affect any operations.

2 levies won't be on spring ballot
Marijuana easy to get, teens say
New probation chief likely today
Bearded suspect says he can't be clean-shaven robber
Man gets prison for girl's death
3 of 4 plead guilty in taped sexual assault
CPS plans to increase diversity of its suppliers
Board accepts Wiley's resignation
Seniors, college students click in computer class
White privilege remains strong, speaker insists
Woman who made report is indicted
City likely to ease home building permits
Congressmen rap Eminem
Developer, council member argue over city funding practices, request
Fire unit lays off third of force
Former P&G worker accused of stealing data
Four districts seek levies in May
Gallatin creating plan for growth
Heart patients sought for national study
Income vs. spending: lifestyle lesson
Kids may need consent for piercing
Ky. business, Canada official extol trade
McConnell to visit N. Ky., raise money for Kenton Co. GOP, self
Middleton to fight slander suit
Ohio local officials seek money to fix bridges
Schools chief makes levy last goal
Suspect pointed gun, witness says
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report