Clark County, IN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Clark County Planning and Zoning Office

Street address

300 Corporate Drive, Room 208, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Phone

812-285-6287

ewise@clarkcounty.in.gov

Coverage

County office issues all building permits for unincorporated Clark County. This also covers unincorporated communities such as Henryville and New Washington.

Online portal

Citizenserve

Website

Department website

Additional resources

GIS Zoning Lookup ↗

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Clark County

County states all building permits are issued through Planning and Zoning; online process specifically covers residential improvements, contractor trade applications, and development projects.

Note: No countywide exempt work list was found on the public permit page; verify minor work directly with Planning and Zoning before proceeding.

Required documents

Application
Parcel information
Plans
Supporting documents (varies by application type)

Building code: 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.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Confirm parcel zoning and floodplain status with Clark County Planning and Zoning or the county GIS.
02

Submit a Residential Improvement application, contractor trade application, or development project through Citizenserve; PC/BZA items are submitted online as development projects.
03

Upload plans and supporting materials and pay the applicable fee schedule amount.
04

Staff reviews zoning, floodplain, and code compliance and issues corrections if needed.
05

Once approved, the permit is issued by Planning and Zoning and inspections are scheduled through the office with at least 24 hours notice.

Source: Clark County Planning and Zoning Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Clark County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$35 to $100 (varies by structure type)

Plan check fee

Not separately listed for ordinary residential permits.

Permit fee formula

Mixed schedule. Residential new structure: $100 for first 1,000 square feet plus $5 per additional 100 square feet. Accessory buildings: $0.08 per square foot.

Trade permit fee

Many trade permits are flat fee.

Reinspection fee

Inspections $50; first reinspection $50; second $100; third or more $300.

Penalty (no permit)

Work without permit is 2x permit fee.

Portal supports online application flow; county page does not post separate card processing language.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

812-285-6287 (phone)
ewise@clarkcounty.in.gov (email)

Scheduling deadline: 24 hour notice required.

Typical sequence: Permit issuance, staged inspections by trade/building as work progresses, final approval.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Clark County permits

01 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.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Clark County, IN? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Clark County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $35 to $100 (varies by structure type). Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule. Residential new structure: $100 for first 1,000 square feet plus $5 per additional 100 square feet. Accessory buildings: $0.08 per square foot.. Plan check fee: Not separately listed for ordinary residential permits..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, IN? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, IN, follow these steps: 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.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clark County, IN? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Clark County, IN via: 812-285-6287, ewise@clarkcounty.in.gov. 24 hour notice required..

last verified April 2026 source Clark County Planning and Zoning Office ↗ entry id permits/indiana/clark/clark-county

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Clark County Planning and Zoning Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Clark County