On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Elkhart County
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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Start with zoning clearance and site review; the county improvement location permit brochure describes the zoning review step first.
- 02 Obtain septic or sewer approval or waiver from the Elkhart County Health Department when applicable.
- 03 Obtain driveway approval or waiver from the Elkhart County Highway Department when applicable.
- 04 Complete the building permit application and attach the site plan; commercial plans are sent to plans@elkhartcounty.com per the county application.
- 05 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.
- 06 After issuance, post the site and call inspections to 574-875-3335 with permit number and township.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Elkhart County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$200 for residential new construction (121 to 900 sq. ft.)
02
Plan check fee
Commercial building application fee $200 (up to 25,000 sq. ft.)
03
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
04
Trade permit fee
Varies; examples: $20 water heater, $20 water softener, $25 demo, $50 pool
05
Reinspection fee
First $35, second $50, third and later $65
06
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
Fees are due at application, when service is performed, or when imposed
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
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 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
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Elkhart County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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.).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN, follow these steps: 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.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Elkhart County, IN via: 574-875-3335. Requests can be made 24 hours a day.
last verified April 2026
source Elkhart County Planning and Development ↗
entry id permits/indiana/elkhart/elkhart-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Elkhart County Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.