Delaware County, IN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

All properties in the unincorporated area of Delaware County. The county office does not issue permits for properties within incorporated cities (Muncie, Yorktown, Albany, Daleville, Eaton, Gaston, or Selma).

Online portal

County 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

Permits are required for new structures (except detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft), additions, demolition, electrical service or panel work, plumbing in new buildings or additions, HVAC new or replacement furnaces/AC/unit heaters/radiant heaters, pools, signs, residential solar panels, and other listed building work in unincorporated Delaware County.

Scope of work

Permit?

Detached accessory structures with floor area smaller than 200 square feet

Exempt

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

Note: Work not otherwise listed on the county Required Permits page should be confirmed with the office before starting.

Required documents

Permit application
Plans as required by permit type
Site staking for site inspection
Indiana state release (for commercial work)
Current county registration, insurance, and bond (for contractor-issued permits)

Building code: According to county sources: 2006 International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Electrical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Mechanical Code as adopted by Indiana (department page); however, a newer Required Inspections PDF states 2018 versions of these codes. Verify current code set with the office.
Owner-builder: The property owner is responsible for obtaining required permits, but a contractor currently registered with Delaware County may obtain the permit on the owner's behalf.
Contractor requirements: General, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC contractors working in unincorporated Delaware County must register annually and keep insurance and bond current with the office.

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

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Confirm the project is in unincorporated Delaware County and determine the required permit type from the county Required Permits page.
02

Download the applicable permit application from the county permit document center.
03

For commercial projects, obtain the required Indiana state release before county permit issuance.
04

Submit the application and required plans to the Building Commissioner's Office.
05

Stake the proposed structure for the required site inspection before permit approval when applicable.
06

Call (765) 747-7799 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance to schedule required inspections; email inspections are not accepted.
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

Minimum permit fee

$75

Permit fee formula

Residential 1 and 2 family: $7.50 per 100 sq ft with $75 minimum; Commercial and industrial new/additions: $8.00 per 100 sq ft with $100 minimum

Reinspection fee

$50

Penalty (no permit)

$700 minimum for building without permit

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 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance; email inspections are not accepted.
Inspection hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Typical sequence: Site inspection before permit approval; post structure footing inspection if applicable; footing; foundation/basement; under slab; framing; temporary or permanent electrical service; rough-ins; final inspection before occupancy and certificate of occupancy.

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? ▸

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 $75. Fees are calculated as: Residential 1 and 2 family: $7.50 per 100 sq ft with $75 minimum; Commercial and industrial new/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 determine the required permit type from the county 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 application and required plans to the Building Commissioner's Office. 5. Stake the proposed structure for the required site inspection before permit approval when applicable. 6. Call (765) 747-7799 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance to schedule required inspections; email inspections are not accepted. 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. Note: Work not otherwise listed on the county Required Permits page should be confirmed with the office 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 at least 24 to 48 hours in advance; email inspections are not accepted..

last verified April 2026 source Delaware County Building Commissioner's Office / DMMPC - Building Commissioner & Zoning Administrator ↗ entry id permits/indiana/delaware/unincorporated

Report a correction

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.

Unincorporated Delaware County