County Building Permits
Adams County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County department has jurisdiction over the rural areas of Adams County and also the Towns of Geneva and Monroe. The page states it issues building permits, electrical permits, and location permits for new construction.
- Department
- Adams County Building and Planning Department
- Address
- 313 W Jefferson Street, Suite 338, Decatur, IN 46733
- Phone
- 260-724-5305
Application Process
- Confirm zoning, floodplain, and any subdivision or BZA issues with Building and Planning before filing.
- Submit the county permit application and supporting plans to the Building and Planning office.
- County staff reviews the project for state and local code compliance and zoning or flood-map compliance.
- If applicable, obtain electrical permits and any location permit for new construction.
- Post and proceed with construction after approval.
- Schedule and complete inspections during construction.
- Receive final approval/closeout once all required inspections are passed.
General Requirements
County page says building permits are issued for all new construction and remodel projects on residential and commercial buildings, electrical permits for any new electrical service or electrical upgrades, and location permits for new construction to confirm zoning and flood map compliance.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $40.00
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Adams County Building and Planning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: The county overview indicates inspections occur in all phases of construction to ensure state and local building codes are upheld.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Plan Commission
- Board of Commissioners
- Surveyors Office
- Requirements for Recording a Plat or Sur
- License lookup guide: Indiana Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Indiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Indiana hub: Indiana Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Adams County Building and Planning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Adams County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, IN?
- County page says building permits are issued for all new construction and remodel projects on residential and commercial buildings, electrical permits for any new electrical service or electrical upgrades, and location permits for new construction to confirm zoning and flood map compliance.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Adams County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is $40.00.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Adams County, IN?
- 1. Confirm zoning, floodplain, and any subdivision or BZA issues with Building and Planning before filing. 2. Submit the county permit application and supporting plans to the Building and Planning office. 3. County staff reviews the project for state and local code compliance and zoning or flood-map compliance. 4. If applicable, obtain electrical permits and any location permit for new construction. 5. Post and proceed with construction after approval. 6. Schedule and complete inspections during construction. 7. Receive final approval/closeout once all required inspections are passed.
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