Our History

The Southwestern Ohio Building Officials Association (SWOBOA) had its beginning on February 18, 1977 when 32 persons representing Cincinnati, Blue Ash, HamiltonCounty, Franklin, Miamisburg, Middletown, Hamilton, Sharonville, Mason, Forest Park and Norwood met at the municipal building in Blue Ash to discuss the need and feasibility of an organization for the southwestern portion of Ohio. It was decided that such an organization should be formed and Harvey E. Wilbekin, P.E., was directed to incorporate the organization.

On March 21, 1977, SWOBOA was formally established as a corporation not for profit. The incorporators were Martin P. Walsh, Jr., P.E., of Cincinnati; Lloyd Towers, A.I.A., of Hamilton; and Robert J. Morgan of Blue Ash, with Harvey E. Wilbekin, P.E., being named as the statutory agent. It was decided that the group should be dedicated to promote among the public better understanding of the advantages, purposes and functions of the regulations of zoning, housing and building construction codes; to further promote the public health, safety, morale, comfort and general welfare of the community through the operation of the association.

From the first regular meeting of SWOBOA held on May 6,1977 at the MunicipalBuilding in Blue Ash, Ohio to the present day, SWOBOA continues to be very viable in the code enforcement field on the local level as well as on the national scene.

Nationally, SWOBOA has gained tremendous recognition since it is well represented at BOCA conferences and many of the members are on BOCA committees, including Code Changes Committees, and actively participate in the floor deliberations at code change sessions.

Our Mission

  • Our mission today as it was in 1977 is to cooperate with and assist building officials and other governmental officials in their aims and objectives to the extent they shall be consistent with the purposes herein expressed.
  • To promote efficiency and seek improvement in administrative organization techniques and methods as related to the regulation of zoning, housing and building construction.
  • To promote among the public a better understanding of the advantages, purposes and functions of the regulation of zoning, housing and building construction, and to foster increased public respect and confidence in building code enforcement.
  • To foster cooperation between the building officials of the State, the construction industry and government.
  • To aid and assist building officials wrongfully accused or subjected to adverse pressures; to enable qualified code enforcement officials to continue in office without fear or reprisal; and to conduct these activities and achieve these objectives without pecuniary profit.

Company Profile

Let us be known as: Southwestern Ohio Building Officials Association (SWOBOA)

Chapter ofInternational Code Council (ICC)

Chapter of OhioBuilding Officials Association (OBOA)