Thorn Township
P.O. Box 419
Thornville, OH 43076

Zoning Department
P.O. Box 460
Thornville, OH 43076
Township Building
13780 Zion Road
Thornville, OH 43076
The Thorn Township Administrative Offices, Garage and Fire Station Complex is dedicated to the memory of
Dr. Maurice S. Rarick

Zoning

Zoning Office
740-246-4808
All Requests by Appointment Only

Zoning Inspector

W. Ed Corns
740-641-9094
thorntwpzoninginspector@gmail.com

Zoning Secretary

Deb Morgan
thorntwpzoning@gmail.com

Mission Statement: The Zoning Commission of Thorn Township will continually promote and protect public health, safety and welfare by assuring orderly growth and development.

Zoning is a device of land use regulation used by local governments in most developed countries. Zoning may be use-based (regulating the uses to which land may be put), or it may regulate building height, lot coverage, and similar characteristics, or some combination of these.

For Thorn Township all of the unincorporated areas of the township are governed by The Thorn Township Zoning Resolution. Thorn Township Zoning consists of a Zoning Inspector, a Zoning Secretary, and two five member boards The Zoning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The Zoning Inspector is responsible for the enforcement of the Zoning Resolution, from investigating alleged violations to issuing zoning certificates. Any questions involving Zoning in Thorn Township should first be presented to the Zoning Inspector.

The Zoning Secretary takes care of the administrative needs of both the Zoning Commission and The Board of Zoning Appeals. This includes notification and publication of various meetings, review of incoming variances and zoning amendments, along with records retention.

The Zoning Commission is the board that is responsible for any changes made to either the zoning resolution or zoning map which would include district changes and developments.

The Zoning Commission meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Township Building.

  • Wayne Gniewkowski - Chairperson
  • Mark Becker - Co-Chairperson
  • Mark Huggins
  • Jim Hay
  • Mary Alice Stidham
  • Sandy Davis - Alternate
  • Chad Eveland - Alternate

The Board of Zoning Appeals handle zoning variances, which would include anything that is not in conformance with the resolution. They also handle appeals that might be filed by a resident that is disagreement with one of the Zoning Inspector’s decisions.

  • Todd Brune - Chairperson
  • Thom Horvath - Co-Chairperson
  • Jarrod Robinson
  • Doug Carpenter
  • Josh Prior
  • Anthony Grindley - Alternate
  • Vacancy - Alternate

Click here to download the application to be a member of the Zoning Commission or the Board of Zoning Appeals.

A Zoning Certificate is required for any:

  • Construction, structural alteration or enlargement of any non-agricultural building or structure, including accessory buildings.
  • Change of use of an existing building or land.

This includes but is not limited to:

  • New construction of home or accessory building including portable storage buildings.
  • Addition on any and all buildings except agricultural. *Decks, Porches and Swimming Pools, Mobile Homes.
  • Changing a business from one business to a different or new business including signs.

For further information please call the Thorn Township Zoning Inspector at 740-246-4808.

Land Use Plan

Zoning Resolution

Noise Resolution

Zoning Fees

Zoning Forms - Downloads

Zoning Commission Minutes

* Missing months for the minutes is due to no meeting held that month.