Miami County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Countywide planning and zoning for Miami County, including the unincorporated area; the county page shows jurisdiction boundaries and the zoning ordinance applies in county jurisdiction areas. The county website also lists a Building Commission phone line, but the public planning pages place the permit function with the Planning Department and Zoning Administrator.

Department

Miami County Planning Department / Miami County Plan Commission / Zoning Administrator

Address

25 N Broadway, Room 101, Peru, IN 46970

Phone

765-472-3901 ext. 1291

Website

https://www.miamicountyin.gov/603/Planning-Department

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Schedule a pre-design conference with the Zoning Administrator before submittal.
2. Prepare the required application packet for the specific request.
3. Submit the application to the Plan Commission Office, signed by the owner or applicant.
4. For dwellings, the county must confirm septic permit issuance or Health Officer approval before an Improvement Location Permit is issued.
5. For commercial uses, State Administrative Building Council approval of plans is required before an Improvement Location Permit is issued.
6. The county office reviews the request and issues the Improvement Location Permit if the proposal complies or if the BZA has granted the needed variance, appeal, or special exception.

Source: Miami County Planning Department / Miami County Plan Commission / Zoning Administrator

General Requirements

County ordinance says no change in use of a building or land may be made without an Improvement Location Permit issued by the Miami County Plan Commission Office. Improvement Location Permits are required except for items listed as exempt in the ordinance.

Required Documents

• Name, address, and phone of applicant; legal description; existing and proposed use; location and size of improvements; adjacent streets and alleys; estimated cost; plot plan; drainage plan if required; authorization letter from owner or contract holder.

Owner-builder

The application is signed by the owner or applicant. The ordinance also requires disclosure of the contractor identity if requested, and says the applicant is eligible only if the contractor is eligible.

Contractor requirements

Contractor registration is handled through Schneider GeoPermits and requires current certificate of liability insurance plus the registration fee.

Fees

Permit fee formula

Examples from the public schedule include residential and commercial fees based on square footage and construction cost, such as $0.15 per sq ft with a $100 minimum for some residential items, and $1.00 per $1,000 of construction cost with caps.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Bird baths and birdhouses
• Detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less, with mobile-home-style tie downs
• Curbs
• Paving driveway
• Lamp post
• Mailboxes on post, subject to special requirements in the ordinance
• Walks
• Pole lines, hydrants, and telephone booths
• Retaining walls less than 3 feet high
• Trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers if visibility is not obstructed
• Fences and hedges within the stated height limits in the ordinance
• Other similar uses

Inspections

How to Schedule

Typical inspection sequence: County ordinance requires a Certificate of Occupancy application at the same time as the Improvement Location Permit application, and the Certificate of Occupancy is issued upon completion before use or occupancy.

Not publicly detailed in the sources reviewed.

Additional Resources

• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Contractor registration
• Planning Commission
• Board of Zoning Appeals
• License lookup guide: Indiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Indiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Indiana hub: Indiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Miami County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Miami County, IN?

County ordinance says no change in use of a building or land may be made without an Improvement Location Permit issued by the Miami County Plan Commission Office. Improvement Location Permits are required except for items listed as exempt in the ordinance.

How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Miami County, IN?

Fees are calculated as: Examples from the public schedule include residential and commercial fees based on square footage and construction cost, such as $0.15 per sq ft with a $100 minimum for some residential items, and $1.00 per $1,000 of construction cost with caps..

How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Miami County, IN?

1. Schedule a pre-design conference with the Zoning Administrator before submittal. 2. Prepare the required application packet for the specific request. 3. Submit the application to the Plan Commission Office, signed by the owner or applicant. 4. For dwellings, the county must confirm septic permit issuance or Health Officer approval before an Improvement Location Permit is issued. 5. For commercial uses, State Administrative Building Council approval of plans is required before an Improvement Location Permit is issued. 6. The county office reviews the request and issues the Improvement Location Permit if the proposal complies or if the BZA has granted the needed variance, appeal, or special exception.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Miami County, IN?

The following work is generally exempt: Bird baths and birdhouses; Detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less, with mobile-home-style tie downs; Curbs; Paving driveway; Lamp post; Mailboxes on post, subject to special requirements in the ordinance; Walks; Pole lines, hydrants, and telephone booths; Retaining walls less than 3 feet high; Trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers if visibility is not obstructed; Fences and hedges within the stated height limits in the ordinance; Other similar uses.