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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Cass County
Required when occupying or using land; constructing, reconstructing, moving, altering, or enlarging a structure; changing use; or changing a nonconforming use.
Water management and use facilities
Certain yard improvements
Normal plowing and working of land for gardens and yards
Trimming or removal of trees and shrubs for maintenance or agricultural purposes
Earth movements related to farming and agricultural activity
Public and private road construction
Installation of utilities
Drain tile laying and ditch cleaning
Topsoil removal other than mineral excavation
Forest management activities
Soft-side above-ground pools, hot tubs, spas, and saunas
Storage of recreational vehicles and trucks as specified
Fences as specified
Vending machines as specified
- Exempt Water management and use facilities
- Exempt Certain yard improvements
- Exempt Normal plowing and working of land for gardens and yards
- Exempt Trimming or removal of trees and shrubs for maintenance or agricultural purposes
- Exempt Earth movements related to farming and agricultural activity
- Exempt Public and private road construction
- Exempt Installation of utilities
- Exempt Drain tile laying and ditch cleaning
- Exempt Topsoil removal other than mineral excavation
- Exempt Forest management activities
- Exempt Soft-side above-ground pools, hot tubs, spas, and saunas
- Exempt Storage of recreational vehicles and trucks as specified
- Exempt Fences as specified
- Exempt Vending machines as specified
Required documents
- Site plan
- State design release when required
- Driveway cut approvals when required
- Septic permits when required
- Other outside approvals when required
- Building code
- The public county materials reference compliance with Indiana state building and fire safety rules, but no single county building code adoption line was found.
- Permit validity
- Local Improvement Location Permit and building permit become null and void one year from issuance if not substantially completed.
- Contractor requirements
- The reviewed county materials do not state a separate countywide contractor registration requirement.
§ 03
Application process
Typical processing: A complete zoning application is generally acted on within 30 days; demolition permit applications are processed within 48 hours.
- 01 Confirm whether the work needs a local Improvement Location Permit and, if applicable, a building permit.
- 02 If the project also needs a state design release, submit plans to the Indiana State Fire Prevention and Building Safety Plan Review first.
- 03 Gather required supporting items such as site plans, driveway cut approvals, septic permits, and any other required outside approvals.
- 04 Submit the local application to the Cass County Planning Department.
- 05 The planning office reviews the application and, if the local standards are met, issues the permit.
- 06 Start work only after permits are issued.
Typical processing time: A complete zoning application is generally acted on within 30 days; demolition permit applications are processed within 48 hours.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Cass County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$10 for residential, public/semi-public, and agricultural Improvement Location Permits
02
Permit fee formula
Residential new construction/additions/accessory structures are $100 plus $0.07 per square foot plus $10 ILP fee; commercial, public, semi-public, and industrial new construction/additions/accessory structures are $300 plus $0.12 per square foot plus $50 ILP fee.
03
Reinspection fee
Residential reinspection is $50; commercial or industrial reinspection is $100; after-the-fact permit is double the original permit cost; requested inspection is $35.
04
Penalty (no permit)
After-the-fact permit is double the original permit cost.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
Typical sequence: Permits are issued first, then construction can begin. Inspections are performed during the work and at completion as needed.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Cass County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, IN? ▸
Required when occupying or using land; constructing, reconstructing, moving, altering, or enlarging a structure; changing use; or changing a nonconforming use.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cass County, IN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Cass County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $10 for residential, public/semi-public, and agricultural Improvement Location Permits. Fees are calculated as: Residential new construction/additions/accessory structures are $100 plus $0.07 per square foot plus $10 ILP fee; commercial, public, semi-public, and industrial new construction/additions/accessory structures are $300 plus $0.12 per square foot plus $50 ILP fee..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, IN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, IN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the work needs a local Improvement Location Permit and, if applicable, a building permit. 2. If the project also needs a state design release, submit plans to the Indiana State Fire Prevention and Building Safety Plan Review first. 3. Gather required supporting items such as site plans, driveway cut approvals, septic permits, and any other required outside approvals. 4. Submit the local application to the Cass County Planning Department. 5. The planning office reviews the application and, if the local standards are met, issues the permit. 6. Start work only after permits are issued.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, IN? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Cass County, IN typically run A complete zoning application is generally acted on within 30 days; demolition permit applications are processed within 48 hours.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cass County, IN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Cass County, IN. The following work is generally exempt: Water management and use facilities; Certain yard improvements; Normal plowing and working of land for gardens and yards; Trimming or removal of trees and shrubs for maintenance or agricultural purposes; Earth movements related to farming and agricultural activity; Public and private road construction; Installation of utilities; Drain tile laying and ditch cleaning; Topsoil removal other than mineral excavation; Forest management activities; Soft-side above-ground pools, hot tubs, spas, and saunas; Storage of recreational vehicles and trucks as specified; Fences as specified; Vending machines as specified. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026
source Cass County Planning Department ↗
entry id permits/indiana/cass/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Cass County Planning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.