Decatur County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Countywide land use and building regulation under the county ordinance; this is the default authority for the unincorporated area and the county's participating towns.

Department

Decatur County Area Plan Commission / Decatur County Building Commissioner

Address

150 Courthouse Square, Greensburg, IN 47240

Phone

812-663-8451

Email

areaplandirector@decaturcounty.in.gov

Website

http://www.decaturcounty.in.gov/area-plan-commission

Application Process

1. Start with a complete application to the Building Commissioner.
2. Include applicant contact information, scaled construction plans and specifications, a scaled plot plan, any required state design release, and any other information requested by the commissioner.
3. Include the applicable fee and the county deposit.
4. The Building Commissioner issues the permit after a complete application is filed and the work conforms to applicable building laws and ordinances.
5. Certificate of occupancy is issued after compliance and final inspection.

Source: Decatur County Area Plan Commission / Decatur County Building Commissioner

General Requirements

Construction is prohibited unless it conforms to a valid building permit obtained before construction begins.

Required Documents

• Contact information
• Detailed plans and specifications drawn to scale
• Plot plan drawn to scale
• State design release if required
• Any additional information requested by the Building Commissioner

Permit validity

If a final inspection is not requested within one year after issuance or renewal, the $100 deposit is forfeited.

Building code

Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission rules are incorporated by reference, including the Indiana Building Code, Indiana Residential Code, Indiana Plumbing Code, Indiana Electrical Code, Indiana Mechanical Code, Indiana Energy Conservation Code, Indiana Swimming Pool Code, and Indiana Fire Code.

Owner-builder

The application may be filed by the permit holder or by an employee or agent; the commissioner may require written authority for an agent.

Contractor requirements

The reviewed sources do not publish a county contractor-registration rule in the county code excerpt reviewed.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$100 permit deposit

Permit fee formula

The reviewed county source does not publish a complete fee formula on the application deposit page.

Reinspection fee

Reinspection fees may be deducted from the deposit.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Decatur County Area Plan Commission / Decatur County Building Commissioner to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: Final certificate of occupancy is tied to successful final inspection. The county code refers to inspections and final inspection but does not publish a public inspection scheduling guide in the reviewed sources.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission rules are incorporated by reference, including the Indiana Building Code, Indiana Residential Code, Indiana Plumbing Code, Indiana Electrical Code, Indiana Mechanical Code, Indiana Energy Conservation Code, Indiana Swimming Pool Code, and Indiana Fire Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Additional county code reference
• License lookup guide: Indiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Indiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Indiana hub: Indiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Decatur County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Decatur County, IN?

Construction is prohibited unless it conforms to a valid building permit obtained before construction begins.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Decatur County, IN?

The minimum permit fee is $100 permit deposit. Fees are calculated as: The reviewed county source does not publish a complete fee formula on the application deposit page..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Decatur County, IN?

1. Start with a complete application to the Building Commissioner. 2. Include applicant contact information, scaled construction plans and specifications, a scaled plot plan, any required state design release, and any other information requested by the commissioner. 3. Include the applicable fee and the county deposit. 4. The Building Commissioner issues the permit after a complete application is filed and the work conforms to applicable building laws and ordinances. 5. Certificate of occupancy is issued after compliance and final inspection.