County Building Permits
Delaware County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Delaware County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Projects in unincorporated Delaware County. City-specific municipalities are routed to their own local offices.
- Department
- Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator
- Address
- 100 W Main St Room 206, Muncie, IN 47305
- Phone
- (765) 747-7799
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CORE document center / downloadable forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm the project is in unincorporated Delaware County and identify permit type from the Required Permits page.
- Download the applicable permit application from the county permit document center.
- For commercial projects, obtain the required Indiana state release before county permit issuance.
- Submit the permit application and required plans to the Building Commissioner's Office.
- Stake the proposed structure for required site inspection before permit approval when applicable.
- Call inspections at (765) 747-7799 24 to 48 hours in advance; inspection requests are not accepted by email.
- Pass required inspections and obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy before occupancy.
General Requirements
A permit is required for new structures except detached accessory structures under 200 square feet, additions, demolition, electrical service or panel work, plumbing in new buildings/additions or moved fixtures, HVAC upgrades or replacements, pools, signs, residential solar panels, and other listed building work in unincorporated county.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Plans required by permit type
- Site staking for site inspection
- Indiana state release for commercial work
- Current county contractor registration, insurance, and bond for contractor-issued permits
- Required sample site plan where applicable
- Owner-builder
- The property owner is responsible for obtaining required permits, though a county-registered contractor may obtain the permit on the owner's behalf.
- Contractor requirements
- General, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors must register annually and keep insurance and bond current with the Building Commissioner's Office.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential 1 and 2 family, accessory structures, and remodeling minimum: $75; commercial and industrial new/addition minimum: $100
- Permit fee formula
- Residential 1 and 2 family: $7.50 per 100 sq ft with $75 minimum; commercial/industrial new and additions: $8.00 per 100 sq ft with $100 minimum
- Reinspection fee
- Additional inspections $50
- Penalty (no permit)
- $700 permitless work fine (first offense)
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Detached accessory structures with floor area smaller than 200 square feet
- Work not listed on the Required Permits page should be confirmed with the office before starting
Important: If a project type is not listed as exempt, confirm permit obligation directly with the county before starting.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (765) 747-7799 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Call 24 to 48 hours in advance; no same-day inspections
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence includes site inspection before permit approval, post structure footing inspection where applicable, footing, foundation/basement, under-slab, framing, temporary/permanent electrical service, rough-ins, and final inspection before occupancy.
Failure to call for required inspections can result in fines.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Required permits page
- Required inspections
- County permit applications index
- 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 Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Delaware County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Delaware County, IN?
- A permit is required for new structures except detached accessory structures under 200 square feet, additions, demolition, electrical service or panel work, plumbing in new buildings/additions or moved fixtures, HVAC upgrades or replacements, pools, signs, residential solar panels, and other listed building work in unincorporated county.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Delaware County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is Residential 1 and 2 family, accessory structures, and remodeling minimum: $75; commercial and industrial new/addition minimum: $100. Fees are calculated as: Residential 1 and 2 family: $7.50 per 100 sq ft with $75 minimum; commercial/industrial new and additions: $8.00 per 100 sq ft with $100 minimum.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Delaware County, IN?
- 1. Confirm the project is in unincorporated Delaware County and identify permit type from the Required Permits page. 2. Download the applicable permit application from the county permit document center. 3. For commercial projects, obtain the required Indiana state release before county permit issuance. 4. Submit the permit application and required plans to the Building Commissioner's Office. 5. Stake the proposed structure for required site inspection before permit approval when applicable. 6. Call inspections at (765) 747-7799 24 to 48 hours in advance; inspection requests are not accepted by email. 7. Pass required inspections and obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy before occupancy.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Delaware County, IN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structures with floor area smaller than 200 square feet; Work not listed on the Required Permits page should be confirmed with the office before starting. Note: If a project type is not listed as exempt, confirm permit obligation directly with the county before starting.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Delaware County, IN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (765) 747-7799. Call 24 to 48 hours in advance; no same-day inspections.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Unincorporated Delaware County 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