On this page 6
§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Hamilton County
All structural improvement, repair, or additions require a permit except limited exempt maintenance items; farm structures also require a permit in county jurisdiction.
Replacement of windows and doors
Interior decorating
Exterior painting
Replacement of shingles on a roof
Normal maintenance and repair operations listed in the fee ordinance, including roofing, flooring repairs, plumbing and heating repairs and replacement, insulation, and minor adjustments or replacements to doors and windows
- Exempt Replacement of windows and doors
- Exempt Interior decorating
- Exempt Exterior painting
- Exempt Replacement of shingles on a roof
- Exempt Normal maintenance and repair operations listed in the fee ordinance, including roofing, flooring repairs, plumbing and heating repairs and replacement, insulation, and minor adjustments or replacements to doors and windows
Required documents
- Signed application
- Owner and contractor contact info
- Parcel ID
- Recorded deed
- Scaled site plan
- Construction documents
- Truss calculations if used
- Septic/sewer and other outside approvals as applicable
- Building code
- Indiana Residential Code, 2020 Edition; Indiana Electrical Code, 2009 Edition; Indiana Plumbing Code, 2012 Edition; Indiana energy provisions under the 2020 residential code.
- Permit validity
- Work must start within 6 months or the permit expires; work must be completed within 18 months for primary structures and 9 months for accessory structures.
- Owner-builder
- County form expressly asks whether the property owner is the general or primary contractor, indicating owner-builder applications are allowed.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Confirm the parcel is in Hamilton County Plan Commission jurisdiction and download the correct application packet from the Plan Commission Resources page.
- 02 Assemble the permit application, deed, parcel ID, site plan, construction documents, and other approvals listed on the county form.
- 03 Submit electronically to planning.permits@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or deliver hard copy materials to the Plan Commission office.
- 04 Staff reviews zoning and code compliance; special use buildings may require a scheduled meeting with staff before submittal.
- 05 Pay permit fees after review and permit calculation.
- 06 Receive the Improvement Location Permit / Building Permit, post the permit placard, and proceed to inspections and final certificate of occupancy.
§ 04
Fee schedule
Hamilton County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Examples from the 2022 schedule include $65 for decks, porches, gazebos, pergolas, and mini-barns; $90 for residential electrical permits; $125 for first residential demolition structure.
02
Plan check fee
Not separately posted as a line item for ordinary residential building permits.
03
Permit fee formula
Mixed flat plus square-foot formulas by permit type
04
Reinspection fee
Residential inspection $100; residential reinspection $125; commercial inspection $150; commercial reinspection $175; timed inspection surcharge $100.
05
Penalty (no permit)
Work started before permit can be charged at up to 3x nominal permit fee.
Fees are collected by the Hamilton County Plan Commission; no online payment workflow is clearly posted for permit fees.
Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
How to schedule
- Contact Plan Commission staff (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Hamilton County permits
01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN? ▸
All structural improvement, repair, or additions require a permit except limited exempt maintenance items; farm structures also require a permit in county jurisdiction.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Examples from the 2022 schedule include $65 for decks, porches, gazebos, pergolas, and mini-barns; $90 for residential electrical permits; $125 for first residential demolition structure.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed flat plus square-foot formulas by permit type. Plan check fee: Not separately posted as a line item for ordinary residential building permits..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm the parcel is in Hamilton County Plan Commission jurisdiction and download the correct application packet from the Plan Commission Resources page. 2. Assemble the permit application, deed, parcel ID, site plan, construction documents, and other approvals listed on the county form. 3. Submit electronically to planning.permits@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or deliver hard copy materials to the Plan Commission office. 4. Staff reviews zoning and code compliance; special use buildings may require a scheduled meeting with staff before submittal. 5. Pay permit fees after review and permit calculation. 6. Receive the Improvement Location Permit / Building Permit, post the permit placard, and proceed to inspections and final certificate of occupancy.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN. The following work is generally exempt: Replacement of windows and doors; Interior decorating; Exterior painting; Replacement of shingles on a roof; Normal maintenance and repair operations listed in the fee ordinance, including roofing, flooring repairs, plumbing and heating repairs and replacement, insulation, and minor adjustments or replacements to doors and windows. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Hamilton County, IN via: Contact Plan Commission staff.
last verified April 2026
source Hamilton County Plan Commission ↗
entry id permits/indiana/hamilton/hamilton-county
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Hamilton County Plan Commission before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.