County Building Permits
Johnson County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
County permit authority for unincorporated Johnson County. The county's contractor listing page expressly notes that other municipalities in Johnson County may have their own permit requirements.
- Department
- Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning
- Address
- 86 W Court St, Franklin, IN 46131
- Phone
- (317) 346-4350
Application Process
- Download the correct county permit packet from the Building Permit Packets and Forms page.
- Prepare the completed application, site plan, construction plans, and any supporting forms required for the project type.
- Submit the packet to Johnson County Planning and Zoning and wait for plan review.
- If the applicant is not a county-listed contractor, use the Contractor Listing Exemption Affidavit route when eligible.
- Pay the applicable permit fees when the permit is ready.
- Keep the permit and released plans on site and visible from the road once windows are installed.
- Schedule required inspections with Planning and Zoning staff and complete all required inspections before occupancy.
Typical processing time: Average building permit review time is 10 business days; one county packet also states review can take 7 to 10 business days depending on workload.
Source: Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning
General Requirements
County public pages and packets cover residential, accessory structures, pools, decks, demolition, pole barns, mobile homes, electrical service, and window replacements. The county specifically states it now requires permits for all window replacements under its energy code enforcement.
Required Documents
- Project-specific application packet, site plan, construction plans, and other packet forms. Nonresidential work may require stormwater materials and other agency approvals depending on scope.
- Permit validity
- Not clearly summarized on the main county page. Individual permit packets should be checked for project-specific terms.
- Building code
- Johnson County states it incorporates by reference the rules of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code and does not have locally adopted amendments or individual building codes.
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may use the Contractor Listing Exemption Affidavit instead of county contractor listing when they are not acting as a listed contractor.
- Contractor requirements
- In unincorporated Johnson County, contractors pulling permits must use the county Contractor Listing Program with a $15,000 surety bond and a listing fee of $150 for 1 year, $200 for 2 years, or $400 for 5 years.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- A flat $150 permit fee is visible in the county window replacement packet; the broader fee schedule is publicly posted but not machine-readable in the reviewed sources.
- Plan check fee
- Included within the county fee schedule and project packets; not clearly broken out in the reviewed public text.
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed schedule by permit type. County posts a master fee schedule and separate project packets.
- Payment note
- Contractor listing page says the county accepts cash, check, or charge for listing fees.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Call Planning and Zoning staff at (317) 346-4350; the county states inspections will not be scheduled from voicemail. (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Residential inspections must be scheduled at least 1 business day ahead; nonresidential inspections at least 2 business days ahead. Footing inspections may be set for a specific time; other inspections are scheduled by day, with AM or PM requests not guaranteed.
Typical inspection sequence: Erosion control meeting if required, then project-specific inspections such as footing and later trade/final inspections. Permit and stamped released plans must remain on site for inspection signoff.
No county reinspection fee schedule was clearly posted in machine-readable form on the reviewed public pages.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Johnson County states it incorporates by reference the rules of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code and does not have locally adopted amendments or individual building codes.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Other useful links
- Other useful links
- Other useful links
- 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 Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Johnson County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- County public pages and packets cover residential, accessory structures, pools, decks, demolition, pole barns, mobile homes, electrical service, and window replacements. The county specifically states it now requires permits for all window replacements under its energy code enforcement.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is A flat $150 permit fee is visible in the county window replacement packet; the broader fee schedule is publicly posted but not machine-readable in the reviewed sources.. Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule by permit type. County posts a master fee schedule and separate project packets.. Plan check fee: Included within the county fee schedule and project packets; not clearly broken out in the reviewed public text..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- 1. Download the correct county permit packet from the Building Permit Packets and Forms page. 2. Prepare the completed application, site plan, construction plans, and any supporting forms required for the project type. 3. Submit the packet to Johnson County Planning and Zoning and wait for plan review. 4. If the applicant is not a county-listed contractor, use the Contractor Listing Exemption Affidavit route when eligible. 5. Pay the applicable permit fees when the permit is ready. 6. Keep the permit and released plans on site and visible from the road once windows are installed. 7. Schedule required inspections with Planning and Zoning staff and complete all required inspections before occupancy.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- Typical processing time is Average building permit review time is 10 business days; one county packet also states review can take 7 to 10 business days depending on workload..
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: Call Planning and Zoning staff at (317) 346-4350; the county states inspections will not be scheduled from voicemail..
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