Does Cleveland require a point of sale inspection?

Cleveland does not require a general point of sale inspection, but an exterior inspection is required for vacant one- to three-unit properties prior to sale, and a Certificate of Disclosure is required for all parcels at time of sale.

Does Cleveland Heights require a point of sale inspection?

Yes, Cleveland Heights requires a point of sale inspection covering both the interior and exterior of the property, with a fee of $200 for a single-family unit and $50 for each additional unit.

Does Twinsburg require a point of sale inspection?

Yes, Twinsburg requires an exterior-only point of sale inspection for a $50 fee, though it is waived if the property is part of an HOA that maintains the building exterior.

Does University Heights require a point of sale inspection?

Yes, University Heights requires a point of sale inspection covering both interior and exterior, with fees of $150 for a single-family home and $300 for a double.

Does Akron require a point of sale inspection?

Akron does not require a point of sale inspection for residential home sales.

Does Aurora require a point of sale inspection?

Aurora does not require a point of sale inspection for residential home sales.

Does Beachwood require a point of sale inspection?

Beachwood does not require a point of sale inspection for residential home sales.

Does Hudson require a point of sale inspection?

Hudson does not require a point of sale inspection for residential home sales.

Does Pepper Pike require a point of sale inspection?

Pepper Pike does not require a point of sale inspection for residential home sales.

Does Solon require a point of sale inspection?

Solon does not require a point of sale inspection for residential home sales.

Northeast Ohio Real Estate

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection Requirements by City

Last Updated: December 2025

Source: Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS — Local Government Info

Click any city below to see whether it requires a point of sale inspection before a home can be sold, and whether that inspection covers the interior, exterior, or both. Rules, fees, and contacts are set independently by each municipality and can change at any time.

Cleveland Heights▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: Yes

Interior/Exterior/Both: Both

Fee: $200 for a single-family unit; $50 for each additional unit

Certificate expiration: One year

Escrow: If Class A violations aren't corrected, the seller must escrow at least $1,000, or 125% of the estimated repair cost, whichever is greater.

Occupancy Permit

Required: Yes, for rental properties

Fee: $200 for the first rental unit, $50 for the second, $25 for each additional unit, capped at $1,225

Certificates not returned by December 31st incur a $25 late fee per month. No charge for owner-occupied units in a two- or multi-family dwelling. Business occupancy permits: $100 initial inspection, $100 annual renewal.

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Annual fee: $50

Mandatory inspections: Yes, interior and exterior, every five years. Inspection Services notifies owners when scheduling is due; call (216) 291-5900 for details.

A $50 re-inspection fee applies for each re-inspection if violations remain unresolved 18 months after the initial inspection.

Homebuyer Incentives

Down payment assistance for low-to-moderate income buyers is available through the city's partner, the Home Repair Resource Center, which also offers rehab loans, loan counseling, foreclosure prevention, and tool rental. The city's Housing Programs page lists additional loan and renovation programs for homeowners and seniors.

Contact Information

Allan Butler, Director of Housing

Phone: 216-291-4962 · Email: abutler@clevelandheights.gov

Twinsburg▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: Yes

Fee: $50

Interior/Exterior/Both: Exterior. Waived if the property is part of an HOA that maintains the building exterior.

Occupancy Permit

Required: No, a Certificate of Compliance is required instead

Fee: Paid upon the POS application above

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: No

Real Estate Sign Regulations

City of Twinsburg Ordinance 1173.17(b)

Contact Information

Keith Foulkes, Building Commissioner · Jason Pastorius, Building Inspector

Phone: 330-963-6270 · Email: kfoulkes@twinsburg.oh.us or j.pastorius@twinsburg.oh.us

University Heights▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: Yes

Fee: Single-family $150, double $300

Interior/Exterior/Both: Both

Certificate expiration: One year

Occupancy Permit

Required: No

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Annual fee: Single family $300, double family $400, rentable third floor $100; fees are charged every two years

Mandatory inspections: Yes, interior and exterior

Contact Information

Bill Bartley, Chief Building Official

Phone: 440-429-9137 · Email: bbartley@universityheights.com or building@universityheights.com

Akron▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No

Occupancy permit required for commercial property only, not residential resale.

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Fee: $15 per unit, $1,500 maximum

Annual registration deadline is January 31st; a $15 late fee applies after that date.

Contact Information

Duane Groeger, R.S., B.A., Housing Administrator

Phone: 330-375-2366

Aurora▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No

Occupancy Permit

Required: Yes

Fee: $50

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Annual fee: $25

Mandatory inspections: No

Contact Information

Denise Januska, Director

Phone: 330-562-9564 · Email: PZB@auroraoh.com

Beachwood▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No

Occupancy Permit

Required: Yes

Fee: $50

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Annual fee: $500

Mandatory inspections: Yes, both interior and exterior

Real Estate Sign Regulations

Only one sign permitted

Contact Information

Veronica Muth, Building & Planning and Zoning Coordinator

Phone: 216-292-1484 · Email: Veronica.Muth@beachwoodohio.com

Cleveland▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No general POS, but an exterior inspection is required for vacant 1–3 unit properties prior to sale. A Certificate of Disclosure is required for all parcels at time of sale.

Certificate of Disclosure fee: $60

Vacant property exterior inspection fee: $70 per unit (1–3 units)

Occupancy Permit

Required: Yes

Fee: $150 for one-, two-, or three-family homes

Applies to all new buildings and any change in use or occupancy.

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes for long-term rentals; not required for short-term rentals holding a valid STR License

Annual fee: $70 per residential rental, $100 late fee

Long-term rentals must register by March 1st and are inspected on a rotating basis.

Starting in 2026, short-term rentals (30 days or less) require an annual $150 STR License, $500,000 in liability insurance, and a local contact reachable within one hour. Licensed STRs are exempt from standard rental registration.

Real Estate Sign Regulations

See the city's Codified Ordinances on signage.

Homebuyer Incentives

Cuyahoga County offers a down payment assistance program. Check the city website for current programs.

Contact Information

Phone: 216-664-2651

Director: SMartin3@clevelandohio.gov · Chief Building Official: TVanover@clevelandohio.gov · Certificate of Occupancy: CSmith2@clevelandohio.gov · Rental Registration: bhrental@clevelandohio.gov

Hudson▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No

Occupancy Permit

Required: Yes

Fee: Contact Summit County Building Standards

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: No

Real Estate Sign Regulations

Maximum size of 10 square feet. Signs are not permitted within the City Right of Way.

Contact Information

Nick Sugar, City Planner

Phone: 330-342-1884 · Email: nsugar@hudson.oh.us

Pepper Pike▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No

Occupancy Permit

Required for new homes and projects only

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Annual fee: $101, charged every two years

Contact Information

Tara Carlson

Phone: 216-896-6134 · Email: building@pepperpike.org

Solon▸

Point of Sale (POS) Inspection

Required: No

Occupancy Permit

Required for commercial and residential new construction or additions, scope of work only. A Certificate of Completion is required for any alteration work, commercial or residential.

Rental Permit / Rental Registration

Required: Yes

Annual fee: Single family $100; two-family $150 ($75 per unit); multi-family (3+ units) $160 for the first three units plus $30 per additional unit

Mandatory inspections: Yes

Real Estate Sign Regulations

No larger than six square feet, at least ten feet from the street right-of-way and five feet from a side property line. Must be removed within ten days of the close of sale, lease, or rental.

Contact Information

Russ Rodic, Chief Building Official · Barb Janca, Rental Permits and Occupancy Applications

Phone: 440-349-6737 · Email: rrodic@solonohio.org

Looking for a city not listed here?

POS rules exist across dozens of additional Northeast Ohio cities in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, Lorain, and Portage counties, and requirements do change over time. For the most complete and regularly updated list, the Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS maintains a detailed Local Government Info page covering point of sale rules, occupancy permits, and rental regulations city by city.

Akron Cleveland Association of REALTORS — Local Government Info

Disclaimer: Point of sale requirements, fees, and inspection scopes are set by individual municipalities and are subject to change without notice. The information on this page is provided for general reference only and is believed accurate as of the date noted above, but is not guaranteed. The Mike Team and LPT Realty are not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes in local requirements. Buyers and sellers should independently verify current point of sale requirements directly with the relevant city or village building department before relying on this information in a real estate transaction.