Elkhart County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies to unincorporated Elkhart County. Public county building materials also drive permitting for some smaller Elkhart County towns where no standalone municipal building office is published.

Department

Elkhart County Planning and Development

Address

4230 Elkhart Rd, Goshen, IN 46526

Phone

574-971-4678

Email

dps@elkhartcounty.com

Website

https://planninganddevelopment.elkhartcounty.com/en/contact/

Application Process

1. Start with zoning clearance and site review; the county improvement location permit brochure describes the zoning review step first.
2. Obtain septic or sewer approval or waiver from the Elkhart County Health Department when applicable.
3. Obtain driveway approval or waiver from the Elkhart County Highway Department when applicable.
4. Complete the building permit application and attach the site plan; commercial plans are sent to plans@elkhartcounty.com per the county application.
5. Submit to Planning and Development and pay the applicable fees. The contact page notes permit cutoff times for filings requiring Health Department review and those that do not.
6. After issuance, post the site and call inspections to 574-875-3335 with permit number and township.

Source: Elkhart County Planning and Development

General Requirements

County building permit process applies after zoning clearance and any needed health and driveway approvals; the improvement location permit brochure says ILP is required for permanent erection, reconstruction, alteration, movement, conversion, enlargement, manufactured homes, and new or changed nonresidential land uses.

Required Documents

• Building permit application
• Site plan
• Commercial plans (emailed to plans@elkhartcounty.com)
• Health and driveway approvals when applicable

Building code

Elkhart County Building Code Ordinance and Indiana Energy Code

Contractor requirements

County building page publishes an Electrical Contractor License Ordinance and Electrical Contractor Verification form; fee schedule also lists builder/contractor annual license or registration at $100.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$200 for residential new construction (121 to 900 sq. ft.)

Plan check fee

Commercial building application fee $200 (up to 25,000 sq. ft.)

Permit fee formula

Mixed: square-foot based for residential new construction; commercial uses application fee plus square-foot based permit fees; many specialty permits are flat fees

Trade permit fee

Varies; examples: $20 water heater, $20 water softener, $25 demo, $50 pool

Reinspection fee

First $35, second $50, third and later $65

Penalty (no permit)

Double the normal fee for work started before permit; permit reinstatement $100; stop work order $50; civil penalty after stop work order $500

Payment note

Fees are due at application, when service is performed, or when imposed

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Elkhart County Planning and Development to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• 574-875-3335 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests can be made 24 hours a day

Inspection hours

Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Time windows

Requests made before 9 a.m. can usually be done the same day, but county reserves up to 48 hours

Typical inspection sequence: Footing, foundation, framing, final; plumbing underground, rough-in, final; mechanical gas service, rough-in, final; electrical temporary service, underground, permanent service, rough-in, final

Additional Resources

• Building code: Elkhart County Building Code Ordinance and Indiana Energy Code
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Elkhart County Building Page
• License lookup guide: Indiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Indiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Indiana hub: Indiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Elkhart County Building Permit FAQ

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

County building permit process applies after zoning clearance and any needed health and driveway approvals; the improvement location permit brochure says ILP is required for permanent erection, reconstruction, alteration, movement, conversion, enlargement, manufactured homes, and new or changed nonresidential land uses.

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

The minimum permit fee is $200 for residential new construction (121 to 900 sq. ft.). Fees are calculated as: Mixed: square-foot based for residential new construction; commercial uses application fee plus square-foot based permit fees; many specialty permits are flat fees. Plan check fee: Commercial building application fee $200 (up to 25,000 sq. ft.).

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

1. Start with zoning clearance and site review; the county improvement location permit brochure describes the zoning review step first. 2. Obtain septic or sewer approval or waiver from the Elkhart County Health Department when applicable. 3. Obtain driveway approval or waiver from the Elkhart County Highway Department when applicable. 4. Complete the building permit application and attach the site plan; commercial plans are sent to plans@elkhartcounty.com per the county application. 5. Submit to Planning and Development and pay the applicable fees. The contact page notes permit cutoff times for filings requiring Health Department review and those that do not. 6. After issuance, post the site and call inspections to 574-875-3335 with permit number and township.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: 574-875-3335. Requests can be made 24 hours a day.