What is ECOBA?

The East Central Ohio Building Authority (ECOBA) is a local building department, certified by the State of Ohio Board of Building Standards to enforce the Ohio Building Code for all commercial and industrial buildings. As a division of the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County, ECOBA is a self-funded, non-profit organization.

The Tuscarawas County Commissioners created The Building Department in response to requests by many building owners, contractors and designers to provide a local, more responsive alternative to the State of Ohio for commercial and industrial plan approval and inspection services.

Benefits of having a local building department include: Walk-through plan approval or reduced shelf time; fast inspection response; face-to-face interaction; consistent interpretation; partnering with building owner, designer and contractor; collaboration with zoning departments and fire officials; and the revenues remain local.

As we look to the future, we see tremendous growth opportunities for growth in Tuscarawas and Holmes counties. The East Central Ohio Building Authority is here to facilitate that economic growth, serve the public’s building safety and health concerns, and is committed to fostering a partnership between building owners, designers, contractors and the ECOBA.

Plan Examination and Inspection Policy.

Ohio Building Code

The first building code written for application throughout the State of Ohio was adopted in 1911 to regulate the construction, repair, alterations, additions, sanitation and fire protection for public buildings. In 1955 the Ohio General Assembly created the Ohio Board of Building Standards to formulate the building code requirements and the Ohio Board of Building Appeals. The Ohio Basic Building Codes based on BOCA became effective on July 1, 1979. Since 1998 Ohio codes have been based on national model codes by International Code Council (ICC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Our current codes:

 
Building Standards CodesEffective 03/01/2024Model Code
Ohio Building CodeOBC 2024(IBC 2021)
Ohio Mechanical CodeOMC 2024(IMC 2021)
Ohio Plumbing CodeOPC 2024(IPC 2021)
Ohio Existing Building CodeOEBC 2024(IEBC 2021)
Ohio Fire CodeOFC 2017(IFC 2021)
National Electrical CodeNFPA 70 (NEC) 2023
National Fire Alarm CodeNFPA 72 2022
National Sprinkler CodeNFPA 13, 13D, 13R 2022
Residential Code of OhioRCO 2019(IRC 2018)
Energy Conservation CodeIECC 2021
Accessibility CodeICC ANSI A117.1 2017
 

Code of Ethics

Certified Building Officials Code of Ethics

The protection of life, health and property is a solemn responsibility of the highest order. Individuals engaged in the administration and enforcement of building regulatory codes shall uphold a standard of professional behavior that exemplifies the highest ideals and principles of ethical conduct. The governing concepts embodied in this philosophy are characterized herein below, for the benefit and guidance of those so engaged, and for the enlightenment of the public served.

The Certified Building Official shall:

  • Place the public’s welfare above all other interests and recognize that the chief function of government is to serve the best interests of all people. Demonstrate integrity, honesty and fairness in all transactions and constantly strive for excellence in all matters of ethical conduct.

  • Recognize the continuing need for developing improved safety standards for the protection of life, health and property, and acknowledge a professional obligation to contribute time and expertise in the development of such improvements.

  • Maintain professional competence in all areas of employment responsibility and encourage the same in associates at all levels.

  • Accept no personal favors for public services rendered and conscientiously avoid all circumstances that could compromise professional integrity.

Organizational Structure

ECOBA Organizational Structure

ECOBA was formed by the Tuscarawas County Commissioners and is administered by the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County.

 
ecoba-organizational-chart.jpg
 
 

ED&FA Board of Directors

The Building Authority is a division of The Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County. The ED&FA's Board of Directors oversees the Building Authority.

Members of the Board are listed on the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County website.

 
ecoba-board-of-directors.jpg
 
 

Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is an ad-hoc committee that assisted in the development of the original department policies, procedures and structure, and now provides oversight for the department.

Feel free to contact Advisory Board members with questions or concerns about the ECOBA service or personnel. The board meets quarterly at the Economic Development and Finance Alliance of Tuscarawas County office.

Advisory Board Members:

Marla Akridge, Executive Director, ED&FA of Tuscarawas County
Tom Haugh, General Contractor, Benchmark Construction
Dave Lawless, Structural Engineer, Dover Tank & Plate
Michael Lehman, Engineer, M. A. Lehman Professional Engineering, LLC
Doug Peterman, Plumbing Contractor, Peterman Plumbing, Inc.
Bruce Widder, Architect, B. A. Widder Architectural Services
Larry Wood, Electrical Contractor Wood Electric, Inc.

Building Department

Duties of the Building Official include:

  • Code Enforcement

  • Applications

  • Plan Review

  • Plan Approval

  • Issuance of Notices and Orders

  • Cause Inspections

  • Approve Alternate Methods and Materials

  • Department Management

  • Selection of Inspection Staff

Duties of the Master Plans Examiner include:

  • Examination of Construction Documents

  • Certification Exams (ICC)

    • Building Plans Examiner

    • Mechanical Plans Examiner

    • Electrical Plans Examiner

staff

Featured
Nicholas L. Montan
Nicholas L. Montan

Chief Building Offical/Plans Examiner
P: (330) 364-3164  Ext. 603
C: (330) 401-8526
E: nmontan@ecohba.com

Nicholas has been the certified Building Official and Master Plans Examiner since the inception of the building department in 2004.  He developed the building department policies, procedures, application forms, and database.  He manages three full-time certified staff as well as backup inspectors and plan examiners.  He also reports monthly department data to the Ohio Board of Building Standards, ED&FA Board of Directors, and advisory committee.  Since 2004 he established sub-building departments in Holmes County and 17 municipalities.  ECOBA’s jurisdiction now includes 133,000 residents in 990 square miles, and the department has been responsible for $1.8 billion in Construction Value, 7,800 Applications for Approval, 48,400 Inspections, and $10.3 million in Revenues.

Nicholas is a past president of the Five-County Building Officials Association, 2009 and the Ohio Building Officials Association, 2020, served on the Board of Directors and participates in code development and education through the International Code Council.

Prior to becoming a Code Official, Nicholas obtained a Bachelor of Architecture at Kent State University in 1987 and became a licensed architect in 1991.  He has many years of experience in project design, construction and building code compliance.

Robert E. Thompson
Robert E. Thompson

Building & Mechanical Inspector
P: (330) 364-3164  Ext. 604
C: (330) 401-8528
E: rthompson@ecohba.com

Bob joined ECOBA in August 2015 after completing Code Council Academy and BBS (Board of Building Standards) certification (#5011). Previously Bob worked over 30 years for MKC Architects in New Philadelphia as Contract Administrator. His certifications include: CSI: CDT (Construction Drawing Technologist) and CCCA (Certified Construction Contract Administrator). Prior to employment at MKC, Bob gained his status as Journeyman Carpenter in the Carpenters Union, Marietta, Ohio. Bob is a member of FBOA and OBOA.

Thomas D. Stephens
Thomas D. Stephens

Electrical Safety Inspector #5382
P: (330) 364-3164  Ext. 607
C: (330) 418-8318
E: tstephens@ecohba.com

Tom is ECOBA’s full time Electrical Safety Inspector. He is a 1974 graduate of Indian Valley North and a member of IBEW540 from 1978 to present. Tom competed ALBAT Program-Journeyman Lineman, JATC Program-Journeyman Wireman, and State License Fire Alarm Installer certification. He is an active member of IAEI, OBOA and FBOA.

Mary F. Rinella
Mary F. Rinella

Permit Technician, ICC 8033381
P: (330) 364-3164  Ext. 609
E: mrinella@ecohba.com

Mary has served as permit technician for ECOBA since 6/26/06, completing her International Code Council certification in 2008. She serves on the Educational Committee with Central Ohio Permit Techs and is a member of FBOA, COCOA and OBOA. Mary has been a member of the Board of Trustees for Tuscarawas Philharmonic since 2007.