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. 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: 10 business days average; 7-10 business days depending on workload
Source: Johnson County Building Department, Department of Planning and Zoning
General Requirements
County requires permits for residential, accessory structures, pools, decks, demolition, pole barns, mobile homes, electrical service, and all window replacements under energy code enforcement.
Required Documents
- Project-specific application packet
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Other packet forms as required by project type
- Building code
- Johnson County incorporates by reference the rules of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code with no locally adopted amendments.
- 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
- Contractors must be on the county Contractor Listing Program with a $15,000 surety bond and listing fee: $150 for 1 year, $200 for 2 years, or $400 for 5 years.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $150 (window replacement)
- Plan check fee
- Included within county fee schedule
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed schedule by permit type; see master fee schedule and project-specific packets
- Payment note
- County accepts cash, check, or charge for contractor 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
- (317) 346-4350 (phone)
- Time windows
- 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.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Johnson County incorporates by reference the rules of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code with no locally adopted amendments.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Forms and Checklists
- Additional Resources
- Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission Rules
- 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 requires permits for residential, accessory structures, pools, decks, demolition, pole barns, mobile homes, electrical service, and all window replacements under energy code enforcement.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is $150 (window replacement). Fees are calculated as: Mixed schedule by permit type; see master fee schedule and project-specific packets. Plan check fee: Included within county fee schedule.
- 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 10 business days average; 7-10 business days depending on workload.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Johnson County, IN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (317) 346-4350.
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