Temporary inspection waiver issued for Columbiana County until March 6
By Veronica Cardello, Ohio REALTORS Director of Local Government Affairs
Special note for REALTORS operating in Columbiana County...
We are aware of the situation involving the Columbiana County Health District issuing a Temporary Waiver of Inspection Due to Emergency Response Efforts related to the Norfolk Southern derailment.
This order directs all personnel from the health department to address the related contamination. This means that there is a temporary bottleneck for the mandatory well and septic inspections. However, the expectation at this time is that these inspections will take place after the order is lifted. We understand that this order has resulted in some confusion, delays, and escrow issues in our member’s transactions.
As a result, the Columbiana County Health District and its employees are being inundated with calls specifically from real estate licensees seeking information about this order.
While understandable, the sheer number of calls, we are told, are only adding to the delays. We are asking our members to first consider consulting with their manager or broker so that they can discuss with their brokerage attorney or our legal hotline in an effort to limit the number of calls to the health department.
The Columbiana County Health District has asked that members should only call to schedule inspections. Ohio REALTORS is working diligently with state and local officials to assist where possible. We have established a working relationship with the Columbiana County Health District, and we ask that you be patient as the health department works through all of the requested inspections.
Inspections will resume on Monday March 6, 2023. Ohio REALTORS will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.
