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§ 02
When a permit is required
Permit triggers and exempt work for Miami County
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.
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
- Exempt Bird baths and birdhouses
- Exempt Detached storage sheds 120 square feet or less, with mobile-home-style tie downs
- Exempt Curbs
- Exempt Paving driveway
- Exempt Lamp post
- Exempt Mailboxes on post, subject to special requirements in the ordinance
- Exempt Walks
- Exempt Pole lines, hydrants, and telephone booths
- Exempt Retaining walls less than 3 feet high
- Exempt Trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers if visibility is not obstructed
- Exempt Fences and hedges within the stated height limits in the ordinance
- Exempt Other similar uses
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.
§ 03
Application process
Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final
- 01 Schedule a pre-design conference with the Zoning Administrator before submittal.
- 02 Prepare the required application packet for the specific request.
- 03 Submit the application to the Plan Commission Office, signed by the owner or applicant.
- 04 For dwellings, the county must confirm septic permit issuance or Health Officer approval before an Improvement Location Permit is issued.
- 05 For commercial uses, State Administrative Building Council approval of plans is required before an Improvement Location Permit is issued.
- 06 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 ↗
§ 04
Fee schedule
Miami County building permit fees
Fee type
Amount
01
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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.
§ 05
Required inspections
Scheduling and sequence
Typical 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.
§ 06
Frequently asked
Common questions about unincorporated Miami County permits
01 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.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Miami County, IN? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Miami County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Miami County, IN? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Miami County, IN, follow these steps: 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.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Miami County, IN? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026
source Miami County Planning Department / Miami County Plan Commission / Zoning Administrator ↗
entry id permits/indiana/miami/unincorporated
Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Miami County Planning Department / Miami County Plan Commission / Zoning Administrator before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.