County Building Permits
Franklin County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All construction in Franklin County except Batesville Corporation
- Department
- Franklin County Area Plan Commission and Building Department
- Address
- 1010 Franklin Avenue, Room 107, Brookville, IN 47012
- Phone
- 765-647-5731
Application Process
- Confirm the project type and pull the correct county application form from the county site.
- For residential homes, gather parcel and legal description information.
- Obtain septic approval from the Health Department or a Brookville Lake Regional Waste District availability letter if applicable.
- Record any Notice of Agriculture Activity in the Recorder's Office before permit issuance, when applicable.
- Prepare and submit two sets of plans, a site plan, and any required survey and deed records.
- Submit the application to the Area Plan Commission and Building Department.
- All permits are subject to a five day review.
- Permit is issued after review and fee payment.
Typical processing time: 5 days
Source: Franklin County Area Plan Commission and Building Department
General Requirements
County fee schedule covers single family dwellings, manufactured homes, additions, accessory buildings, pools, decks, commercial work, churches, multi-family, temporary structures, signs, zoning petitions, subdivisions, and variances.
Required Documents
- Two sets of plans
- Site plan
- Survey copy if new survey
- Recorded deed
- Tax bill ID or parcel number
- Legal description
- Septic permit or approval
- Notice of agriculture activity (when applicable)
- Permit validity
- Permit good for one year, but work must be started within six months.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $30 location improvement permit plus project-specific building inspection fee
- Permit fee formula
- Single family dwelling is $300 plus $5 per 100 sq ft over 960 sq ft, plus $30 location improvement permit
- Reinspection fee
- $45
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Franklin County Area Plan Commission and Building Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM (closed for lunch 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM)
Typical inspection sequence: Residential packet sequence includes: footer, basement floor, plumbing, wall, rough-in framing/electrical/plumbing air test, permanent electrical service, and final inspections unless an inspection fails.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County GIS
- 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 Franklin County Area Plan Commission and Building Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Franklin County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, IN?
- County fee schedule covers single family dwellings, manufactured homes, additions, accessory buildings, pools, decks, commercial work, churches, multi-family, temporary structures, signs, zoning petitions, subdivisions, and variances.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Franklin County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is $30 location improvement permit plus project-specific building inspection fee. Fees are calculated as: Single family dwelling is $300 plus $5 per 100 sq ft over 960 sq ft, plus $30 location improvement permit.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, IN?
- 1. Confirm the project type and pull the correct county application form from the county site. 2. For residential homes, gather parcel and legal description information. 3. Obtain septic approval from the Health Department or a Brookville Lake Regional Waste District availability letter if applicable. 4. Record any Notice of Agriculture Activity in the Recorder's Office before permit issuance, when applicable. 5. Prepare and submit two sets of plans, a site plan, and any required survey and deed records. 6. Submit the application to the Area Plan Commission and Building Department. 7. All permits are subject to a five day review. 8. Permit is issued after review and fee payment.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Franklin County, IN?
- Typical processing time is 5 days.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Franklin County Unincorporated Area 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