Hamilton County Planning + Development

🎉 Congratulations to Ron Shirley! 🎉

Hamilton County Planning + Development is proud to recognize Ron Shirley for successfully earning his B1 Residential Building Inspector Certification through the International Code Council (ICC)!

The B1 certification demonstrates an inspector's expertise in evaluating one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses for compliance with the International Residential Code (IRC). Achieving this credential requires extensive knowledge of residential construction, building safety, code compliance, and inspection practices.

This accomplishment reflects Ron's dedication to professional development, his commitment to public safety, and his passion for serving the residents of Hamilton County. By continuing to expand his expertise, Ron helps ensure that homes throughout our communities are built safely and in accordance with applicable building standards.

Please join us in congratulating Ron on this significant achievement and thanking him for his continued service to Hamilton County!

👏 Great job, Ron!

✍️ Staff Spotlight: Joseph Kinskey - Associate Planner

Did you know that Hamilton County Planning + Development's own Joseph Kinskey is now publishing planning-related blog articles?

Joseph's latest blog explores an important and timely topic: What Should Communities Do with Empty Churches? As congregations shrink and historic church buildings become underutilized, communities are faced with both challenges and opportunities for preserving these spaces and finding new uses that benefit residents.

Whether you're interested in planning, historic preservation, housing, or community development, this thought-provoking article is worth a read.

📖 Check out Joseph's newest blog at the bottom of our Planning + Development webpage and let us know what you think!

https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/government/departments/planning_and_development/index.php

Or you can watch Joseph's interview with Jack Crumley on the Working Lunch podcast at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZOzjiqPq0M (the interview started around 23 minutes into the show)

Thank you, Joseph, for helping educate and engage our community through your writing and planning expertise. 👏

On June 11, the Community Planning team had the pleasure of hosting the DAAP Planning Camp for an introduction to planning in Hamilton County.

The DAAP Planning Camp is a one-week program for high school students interested in exploring careers in urban planning. During their visit, staff shared insights into the role of county planners, led a mini charrette focused on the Golf Manor project, and demonstrated how GIS and mapping tools support our daily work.

We enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the next generation of planners and showcase the impact of community planning in Hamilton County!

🎉 Congratulations to Tim! 🎉

We are excited to announce the promotion of Tim Hershner to Senior Zoning Plans Examiner with Hamilton County Planning + Development!

Tim has consistently demonstrated strong expertise in zoning review, attention to detail, and a commitment to helping applicants navigate the planning process. His professionalism and collaborative approach have made him a valuable resource to both colleagues and customers alike.

In his new role, Tim will continue to support our zoning review process while taking on expanded responsibilities to help ensure consistent, efficient, and high-quality plan reviews across the department.

Please join us in congratulating Tim on this well-earned promotion—we look forward to all he will accomplish in this next chapter!

🎉 Congratulations to Eric! 🎉

Please join us in congratulating Eric Cornelius on his promotion to Building Inspection Supervisor with Hamilton County Planning + Development!

Throughout his time with the department, Eric has demonstrated exceptional professionalism, technical expertise, and a strong commitment to serving our residents and contractors. His dedication to building safety, customer service, and teamwork has made a lasting impact on our organization and the communities we serve.

In his new role, Eric will help lead our Building Inspection team, ensuring projects throughout Hamilton County continue to meet the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Congratulations, Eric, on this well-deserved achievement! We look forward to your continued leadership and success.

🏗️ Building Permits vs. Zoning Permits — What’s the Difference?

Planning a project? It’s important to know that not all permits serve the same purpose.

📍 Zoning Permits focus on where and how land can be used.
They ensure your project complies with local zoning regulations such as:

✅Property use (residential, commercial, industrial)
✅Setbacks from property lines
✅Building height and placement
✅Lot coverage and density requirements

🏢 Building Permits focus on how something is constructed.
They ensure your project meets safety and building code standards, including:

🔨Structural integrity
🔨Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems
🔨Fire safety requirements
🔨Construction materials and methods

💡 In short:
Zoning = Is it allowed here?
Building = Is it built safely and correctly?

Before starting your next project, make sure you have the right approvals in place to keep things moving smoothly and safely.

Questions? Contact our office—we’re here to help guide you through the process!

🌟 Meet Our Community Planning Division! 🌟

Behind every thriving community is a team dedicated to shaping its future. Our Community Planning division works with residents, businesses, and local leaders to guide growth, preserve community character, and create vibrant places to live, work, and play.

From long-range planning and zoning initiatives to community engagement and economic development efforts, this team helps ensure that Hamilton County continues to grow in a thoughtful and sustainable way.

Join us in recognizing the talented professionals who help turn community visions into reality every day!

We have some exciting new faces in the office! Please join us in welcoming Jay Madden, our 2026 Summer intern for our Community Planning division.

Jay is originally from Oxford, Ohio, and just completed his first year at DAAP in the Master of Community Planning (MCP) program. As a Summer 2026 Community Planning Co-op, he is excited to kickstart his planning career by gaining experience with long-range, collaborative projects and forming strong relationships within Hamilton County’s diverse communities.

Were excited to have Jay as a part of the P+D team!

We want to hear from YOU! 👷🏽‍♀️🏗️

What type of content would you like to see more of on our page?

🔹 Building & zoning tips
🔹 Permit process information
🔹 Staff spotlights
🔹 Community project highlights

Vote below or drop additional ideas in the comments!