In Ohio, yes, but with some important nuance — if you do a full (100%) remodel, the work you touch must comply with the current Ohio Residential or Building Code, regardless of the home's age.
Here’s the breakdown:
- "Remodel" vs. "Repair" – If you’re just repairing or replacing something in kind (like swapping an old sink for a new one without changing layout or structure), you can often keep existing configurations.
- Full gut or 100% remodel – When you tear out finishes and rebuild walls, ceilings, wiring, plumbing, etc., everything affected by the remodel must be brought to current code.
- Grandfathering – Older features that aren’t touched can sometimes remain, even if they wouldn’t meet today’s standards. But once you alter them, they must be updated.
- Permits & inspections – If it’s permitted work, inspectors will enforce today’s code on everything in the scope. Some municipalities in Ohio even treat a “100% remodel” as essentially new construction for code purposes.
Example:
If you gut an old kitchen in a 1920s home, you’ll have to add GFCI outlets, proper circuit load sizing, modern plumbing venting, smoke alarms, and possibly structural upgrades — even though the original kitchen never had them.
Key Ohio Example: Grandfathering in Rental Property Maintenance
From the city of Solon’s Rental Property Maintenance Ordinance:
“Any preexisting construction that was legally in compliance with all relevant building codes at the time of its construction shall be grandfathered unless otherwise required … or unless said construction … constitutes an immediate threat to the health, safety and welfare of the occupants…”
American Legal Publishing
What this means:
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Features and systems installed in compliance at the time of construction can remain legally acceptable, even if they wouldn’t meet the current code.
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However, if those features are altered—or deemed dangerous—they must be brought up to current standards.
Although this example comes from a local ordinance (Solon), it reflects a common principle found throughout Ohio regulations: unchanged, previously compliant work can be grandfathered, but once altered, it must meet today’s code.
Summary of Ohio Remodeling vs. Grandfathering
ScenarioCode Requirement in OhioSimple repair (like-for-like)Can usually retain original configurations if no structural/layout changes are made.Full remodel / gutEntire affected area must comply with today's Ohio Residential or Building Code.Grandfathered featuresUnchanged features from the original build may remain—unless unsafe or altered.Permits & inspectionsWork under permit is inspected per current code, with limited grandfathering where allowed.
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