Building Permits are required for various activities during the construction process for commercial and residential buildings. Plan review for new construction can take up to 10 days. Building inspections are generally required of each permit.

The City of Dayton follows the International Code Council, Inc. Codes, with amendments:

1. International Building Code, 2015 edition.
2. International Residential Code, One- and Two-Family Dwelling, 2015 edition.
3. International Mechanical Code, 2015 edition.
4. International Plumbing Code, 2015 edition.
5. International Existing Building Code, 2015 edition.
6. International Fire Code, 2015 edition.
7. International Fuel Gas Code, 2015 edition.
8. International Private Sewage Disposal Code, 2015 edition.
9. International Energy Conservation Code, 2015 edition.
10. International Property Maintenance Code, 2012 edition.
11. NEC National Electrical Code, 2017 edition.

Amendments to the codes are as follows:

1. Chapter 37 of the International Residential Code, section E3702 Branch Circuit Ratings, table E3702.14 "Branch Circuit Requirement - Summary" is amended to read "Conductors: Minimum Size (AWG) circuit conductors - Circuit Ratings for 15 AMP is 12AWG."
2. International Fire Code, Appendix M High-rise Buildings—Retroactive Automatic Sprinkler Requirement.

Residential House Design