Johnson County, IN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning

Street address

86 W Court St, Franklin, IN 46131

Phone

(317) 346-4350

building@johnsoncounty.in.gov

Coverage

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.

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Johnson County

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.

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.
Permit validity: Not clearly summarized on the main county page. Individual permit packets should be checked for project-specific terms.
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.

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 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.

01

Download the correct county permit packet from the Building Permit Packets and Forms page.
02

Prepare the completed application, site plan, construction plans, and any supporting forms required for the project type.
03

Submit the packet to Johnson County Planning and Zoning and wait for plan review.
04

If the applicant is not a county-listed contractor, use the Contractor Listing Exemption Affidavit route when eligible.
05

Pay the applicable permit fees when the permit is ready.
06

Keep the permit and released plans on site and visible from the road once windows are installed.
07

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 ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Johnson County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

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.

Contractor listing page says the county accepts cash, check, or charge for listing fees.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

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 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.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Johnson County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN? ▸

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Johnson County, IN? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Johnson County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN, follow these steps: 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.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Johnson County, IN? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Johnson County, IN typically run 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.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, IN? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, IN via: Call Planning and Zoning staff at (317) 346-4350; the county states inspections will not be scheduled from voicemail..

last verified April 2026 source Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning ↗ entry id permits/indiana/johnson-in/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Johnson County