Steubenville Siding, Across the River from Weirton

An older housing stock than Weirton’s

Steubenville is the Jefferson County seat. Its name comes from Fort Steuben, built in 1786–87 to protect the surveyors laying out the Seven Ranges, and a reconstructed fort stands on the original site on South Third Street. The city’s population peaked at 37,651 in 1940 and was 18,161 at the 2020 census (city history). Much of what was built for that larger population is still standing. The Census Bureau’s American Community Survey puts the median year built at 1953, five years older than Weirton’s, and about a quarter of the city’s 8,335 housing units date from before 1940.

On a house that old the original exterior is often wood clapboard, sometimes under one or two later layers of aluminum, vinyl or asbestos-cement shingle. When a newer layer fails, the contractor also has to decide what happens to the layers beneath it. Ask about that on the call, and ask whether the sheathing underneath will be checked once the old cladding is off.

A city with many rental houses

Steubenville has a much larger rental market than Weirton. Of about 7,100 occupied homes, roughly 4,060 are owner-occupied and the rest, around 43%, are rented. Part of that comes from Franciscan University of Steubenville, whose students rent houses near campus. For landlords and property managers, siding often comes up after a property maintenance notice or before a unit turns over. The city’s Planning and Community Development Office administers and enforces Steubenville’s Property Maintenance Code.

Siding permits in Steubenville work under Ohio rules

Crossing the river changes the paperwork. Steubenville houses with one to three dwelling units fall under the Ohio Residential Code, and the city’s Building Inspection Division examines plans, issues permits and enforces that code. A few local points:

• The Planning and Zoning page lists “installing or repairing siding, soffit and fascia” among projects that do not need a certificate of zoning approval.
• The division’s permit FAQ says over-the-counter permits are available for residential siding, along with windows, shingle roofs and gutters, and are generally issued within a few days of application.
• Every contractor and subcontractor working inside city limits must register with the city before getting a permit or starting work.
• Appeals on one- to three-family homes go to the local Board of Engineering and Building Appeals rather than to Columbus.

Wintersville and other addresses in 43953 outside city limits are handled by their own township or village offices, not Steubenville’s division. Confirm which office covers your address before work starts.

Calls from Steubenville

Common reasons to call include storm-loosened panels, failed paint on old wood siding, cladding that has warped or buckled, and an older house that needs a complete new exterior. Dial (304) 317-8115. You may be asked to enter your 5-digit ZIP code (43952 or 43953) so the call reaches a contractor who works on the Ohio side. The contractor sets the scope and schedule with you directly.

Back across the bridge, see siding services in Weirton, WV. Down the river, see siding services in Wheeling, WV. Every covered ZIP is listed on siding service areas near Weirton.