County Building Permits
Dearborn County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dearborn County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Countywide building permits and inspections for Dearborn County; county code chapter 150 controls building regulations.
- Department
- Dearborn County Building Department
- Address
- 165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025
- Phone
- (812) 537-8822
Application Process
- Confirm the project requires a permit under county code.
- Prepare a complete application on the form required by the Building Commissioner.
- Attach detailed plans and specifications drawn to scale.
- Attach a plot plan drawn to scale unless the work is entirely within an existing structure.
- Attach any required design release if state law or fire code rules require it.
- Include any other information the Building Commissioner requests and pay the fee set by the County Commissioners.
- Submit to the Building Commissioner for review and issuance.
General Requirements
Construction is prohibited unless it conforms to a valid building permit obtained before construction starts.
Required Documents
- Application
- Scaled plans and specifications
- Plot plan
- Design release if required
- Any additional information the commissioner requests
Fees
- Payment note
- The fee is set by the County Commissioners, but the exact published formula was not visible in the sources reviewed.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Dearborn County Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: County code says all construction is subject to periodic inspections by the Building Commissioner, before and/or after construction as needed.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County code chapter 150
- County document center
- 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 Dearborn County Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dearborn County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Dearborn County, IN?
- Construction is prohibited unless it conforms to a valid building permit obtained before construction starts.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Dearborn County, IN?
- 1. Confirm the project requires a permit under county code. 2. Prepare a complete application on the form required by the Building Commissioner. 3. Attach detailed plans and specifications drawn to scale. 4. Attach a plot plan drawn to scale unless the work is entirely within an existing structure. 5. Attach any required design release if state law or fire code rules require it. 6. Include any other information the Building Commissioner requests and pay the fee set by the County Commissioners. 7. Submit to the Building Commissioner for review and issuance.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Dearborn 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