Accessory Structure Consultation
Technical Diploma · 32 credit hours · 3 semesters · Division of Building, Structures and Site Services
Siting, permitting, foundation selection, and code compliance for detached residential accessory structures. Setback and easement interpretation, frost depth requirements, anchoring for wind uplift, and the assessment threshold at which a structure becomes a taxable improvement under the Ohio Revised Code.
The taxable-improvement threshold receives dedicated instruction in BSS 140; the figure varies by county and is updated in course materials each term. Graduates are employed by shed and manufactured structure retailers, modular building dealers, and municipal code offices.
A code book set is required and is stocked by the Bookstore. Students are expected to bring the current edition to every class meeting beginning in the first week. Students may not represent themselves as affiliated with a county code office during field exercises; program identification cards are issued for field work and are collected at the end of each term.
Curriculum
| Course | Title | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| AST 110 | Residential Code Fundamentals | 4 | 1 |
| AST 120 | Site Assessment and Setbacks | 4 | 1 |
| MAT 104 | Applied Mathematics | 3 | 1 |
| AST 190 | Foundations and Anchoring | 4 | 2 |
| AST 150 | Permitting and Documentation | 4 | 2 |
| AST 160 | Easement and Plat Interpretation | 3 | 2 |
| AST 230 | Consultation Practicum | 4 | 3 |
| AST 240 | Taxable Improvement Assessment | 3 | 3 |
| BUS 210 | Small Business Operations | 3 | 3 |
Graduates
The setback course is the one that matters. Half my job is telling someone their shed sits four feet into an easement, and the other half is documenting that I told them. AST 120 is both halves.
Dale Firmin, ’25 — Permit technician, Wayne County Building Department
Facilities and instruction
Instruction is delivered in the facilities of the Division of Building, Structures and Site Services. Additional photographs are collected at Campus photographs.
programs/accessory-structure-consultation · Bellweather College of Applied Technology