The Mentor Gateway

A Building Permit Application is required for all construction including decks, pools, siding, sheds, porches, enclosures, etc.

Applicants for accessory-type structures need to provide two copies of the construction drawings consisting of a site plan that shows where the structure will be situated on the property and the distance from all property lines.

Plans must also show how the structure will be built (materials used, etc.). Once submitted, the plan review process takes 7-10 working days on average.

Permits for sheds built from a kit can be obtained at the time of submission. A permit fee is charged, along with a refundable construction deposit, which can be returned if the structure passes all inspections.

Users can now apply for and pay for permits online through the Mentor Gateway.

If you have any questions, please contact the Engineering & Building Department by calling (440) 974-5785 or at building@cityofmentor.com

ACCESS MENTOR GATEWAY

The permits listed below are currently accessible, however, we encourage users to apply through the Mentor Gateway.

General and Trade Contractors Must be Registered with the City of Mentor

The City of Mentor registers all General Contractors and trade contractors who perform work such as plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), fire protection, right-of-way (site utilities and paving), and lawn sprinklers. All contractors within the City of Mentor, who contract with the general public, are required to register with the City prior to performing any work (per Mentor Code of Ordinances 925, 1307 and 1309).

As part of the requirements for registration, contractors must have the ability to interpret construction plans and specifications, show proof of liability insurance, and submit a registration bond on Mentor’s Surety Bond Form to assure that they will comply with Mentor’s codes and ordinances. The City also records the contractor’s business address and phone number. Many contractor advertisements state that they are “bonded and insured,” but a bond is written for a specific purpose and their bond may not protect you as the owner.

Mentor also requires that the specialty trade contractors (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and fire protection) also show proof of a license issued by the State of Ohio, per section 1309 of the Mentor Code of Ordinances. The State of Ohio Construction Industry Examining Board also requires that plumbing, electrical and HVAC contractors obtain a state license. Under State regulations, such contractors must display their state contractor license numbers on ads and on their vehicles.

If you are advised by an unregistered contractor to obtain a permit under your own name, be aware of the responsibilities and risks you are taking. If you are not performing the work yourself then you may be falsifying the permit application, which is falsifying a Public document and may void the permit. If you contract and pay anyone to perform work, then that contractor must be registered with the City of Mentor.

To request a current list of registered contractors, e-mail the City’s Building Department at Building@cityofmentor.com or call (440) 974-5785.

Utility Providers with Systems within the Right of Way Must be Registered with the City of Mentor.

Changes in the public utilities and communications industries have increased the demand and need for access to rights-of-way and the placement of facilities and structures therein.  To comprehensively plan and manage these facilities within the right-of-way, the City now requires utility providers to register with the City of Mentor each year (per Mentor Code of Ordinances 931).  Utility providers are entities that own or operate a utility system within the right of way, such as water, sewer, gas, drainage, electric power, telecommunications, or cable television systems.

As part of the registration process, utility providers will be required to provide a narrative describing their proposed activities in the City as well as location information of facilities which the provider owns or operates.

Additional information pertaining to the application process can be found below in the Utility Provider Application for Registration and Mentor Code of Ordinances Chapter 931 or by contacting the Building Department at building@cityofmentor.com or (440) 974-5785.

  • Block Party Permit
  • Solicitor’s Permit
    Applications for permits to solicit door-to-door in residential areas are to be submitted to the Records Department of the Mentor Police Department between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications may be obtained by either visiting the Records Department or by downloading the application from this site. When a completed application is returned to the Police Records Department, each applicant must include a CCH (Computerized Criminal History) on themselves that includes a FBI and BCI search. These may be obtained at the local Bureau of Motor Vehicles or any of the providers shown on the website at the following link: CCH Providers.  The applicant will then be notified as to a date and time to visit the Mentor Police Records Department to have a picture and a fingerprint taken, prior to issuing the permit. The fee for the applicant is $100.00 plus $25.00 for each additional person listed on the application, paid by cash or check (payable to the City of Mentor) at the time the permit is issued. The permit is valid for six months from the date of issue.
  • Taxi Permit
  • City of Mentor Tree Removal Permit

City staffers are on hand weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM to answer your questions

Mentor Municipal Center
8500 Civic Center Blvd.
Mentor, OH 44060

(440) 255-1100