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§ IN Delaware County
County building permits

Unincorporated Delaware County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Delaware County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator

Street address
100 W Main St Room 206, Muncie, IN 47305
Phone
(765) 747-7799
Coverage
Projects in unincorporated Delaware County. City-specific municipalities are routed to their own local offices.
Online portal
Delaware County permit document center
CORE document center / downloadable forms
Website
Department website
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Delaware County

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.

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
  • Exempt Detached accessory structures with floor area smaller than 200 square feet
  • Exempt 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.

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.

Source: Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Confirm the project is in unincorporated Delaware County and identify permit type from the Required Permits page.
  2. 02
    Download the applicable permit application from the county permit document center.
  3. 03
    For commercial projects, obtain the required Indiana state release before county permit issuance.
  4. 04
    Submit the permit application and required plans to the Building Commissioner's Office.
  5. 05
    Stake the proposed structure for required site inspection before permit approval when applicable.
  6. 06
    Call inspections at (765) 747-7799 24 to 48 hours in advance; inspection requests are not accepted by email.
  7. 07
    Pass required inspections and obtain final inspection and certificate of occupancy before occupancy.

Source: Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Delaware County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Residential 1 and 2 family, accessory structures, and remodeling minimum: $75; commercial and industrial new/addition minimum: $100
02
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
03
Reinspection fee
Additional inspections $50
04
Penalty (no permit)
$700 permitless work fine (first offense)

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

Source: Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Delaware County permits

01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Delaware County, IN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Delaware County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Delaware County, IN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Delaware County, IN, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Delaware County, IN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Delaware County, IN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Delaware County, IN via: (765) 747-7799. Call 24 to 48 hours in advance; no same-day inspections.
last verified April 2026 source Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator ↗ entry id permits/indiana/delaware-in/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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