County Building Permits
Clark County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County office issues all building permits for unincorporated Clark County. This also covers unincorporated communities such as Henryville and New Washington.
- Department
- Clark County Planning and Zoning Office
- Address
- 300 Corporate Drive, Room 208, Jeffersonville, IN 47130
- Phone
- 812-285-6287
- ewise@clarkcounty.in.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Citizenserve • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm parcel zoning and floodplain status with Clark County Planning and Zoning or the county GIS.
- Submit a Residential Improvement application, contractor trade application, or development project through Citizenserve; PC/BZA items are submitted online as development projects.
- Upload plans and supporting materials and pay the applicable fee schedule amount.
- Staff reviews zoning, floodplain, and code compliance and issues corrections if needed.
- Once approved, the permit is issued by Planning and Zoning and inspections are scheduled through the office with at least 24 hours notice.
General Requirements
County states all building permits are issued through Planning and Zoning; online process specifically covers residential improvements, contractor trade applications, and development projects
Required Documents
- Application
- Parcel information
- Plans
- Other documents tied to the application type
- Commercial plan review requirements document for commercial projects
- Building code
- County page states Indiana adopted the 2018 IRC with 2020 Indiana amendments for permits obtained after December 26, 2019; county generally enforces state adopted codes
- Contractor requirements
- Contractor trade applications are accepted through the online process
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential new structure $100 minimum; accessory building $35 minimum
- Plan check fee
- Not separately listed for ordinary residential permits in the residential fee schedule
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed schedule. Residential new structure is $100 for first 1,000 square feet plus $5 per additional 100 square feet; accessory buildings are $0.08 per square foot; many trade permits are flat fee
- Reinspection fee
- Inspections $50; first reinspection $50; second $100; third or more $300; work without permit is 2x permit fee
- Penalty (no permit)
- 2x permit fee for work without permit
- Payment note
- Portal supports online application flow; county page does not post separate card processing language
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Clark County Planning and Zoning Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call 812-285-6287 (phone)
- ewise@clarkcounty.in.gov (email)
- Scheduling deadline
- 24 hour notice required
Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance, staged inspections by trade/building as work progresses, final approval
Additional Resources
- Building code: County page states Indiana adopted the 2018 IRC with 2020 Indiana amendments for permits obtained after December 26, 2019; county generally enforces state adopted codes
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Commercial Plan Review Requirements
- Floodplain Permit Info Sheet
- 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 Clark County Planning and Zoning Office before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clark County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, IN?
- County states all building permits are issued through Planning and Zoning; online process specifically covers residential improvements, contractor trade applications, and development projects
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clark County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is Residential new structure $100 minimum; accessory building $35 minimum. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Residential new structure is $100 for first 1,000 square feet plus $5 per additional 100 square feet; accessory buildings are $0.08 per square foot; many trade permits are flat fee. Plan check fee: Not separately listed for ordinary residential permits in the residential fee schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, IN?
- 1. Confirm parcel zoning and floodplain status with Clark County Planning and Zoning or the county GIS. 2. Submit a Residential Improvement application, contractor trade application, or development project through Citizenserve; PC/BZA items are submitted online as development projects. 3. Upload plans and supporting materials and pay the applicable fee schedule amount. 4. Staff reviews zoning, floodplain, and code compliance and issues corrections if needed. 5. Once approved, the permit is issued by Planning and Zoning and inspections are scheduled through the office with at least 24 hours notice.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clark County, IN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 812-285-6287, ewise@clarkcounty.in.gov. 24 hour notice required.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Clark County (Unincorporated Area) can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works