Noble County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Noble County. The county page says the county has 5 towns with their own building permit jurisdiction: Albion, Avilla, Kendallville, Ligonier, and Rome City. Cromwell is not in that list and is handled through county process for building permits. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/

Department

Address

Noble County Annex, 109 N York St, Albion, IN 46701

Phone

(260) 636-2215

Email

building@nobleco.gov

Website

https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/

Application Process

Source:

General Requirements

new structures, additions, structural changes, manufactured housing, foundation work, storage sheds over 120 square feet, grain bins, decks, wind turbine towers, communication towers, sprinkler systems, and mechanicals such as electric, plumbing, and HVAC. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/required-permits/

Required Documents

• recorded deed if recently purchased; drainage check; septic permit or sewer clearance; driveway permit for all building permits without an existing driveway; approved plans including foundation drawings and engineered truss drawings; site plan; survey for new division of land; floodplain documents if applicable. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/files/printable-forms/Items-Needed-to-Obtain-a-Building-Permit.pdf

Building code

Indiana Division of Fire and Building Safety codes. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/

Owner-builder

County advises homeowner to verify insurance and contractor responsibilities; no contractor bond or liability insurance proof is required by county. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/recommendations-to-homeowners/

Fees

Plan check fee

Not publicly separated from permit fee.

Permit fee formula

0.08 per square foot of living area; 0.04 per square foot of non-living area; $35.00 for each garage, deck, covered or screened porch, pole building for personal use, accessory building, electrical, heating or plumbing improvements; 0.02 per square foot for agricultural use structures; $35.00 for grain bin or lean-to. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/files/printable-forms/Items-Needed-to-Obtain-a-Building-Permit.pdf

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Detached accessory structure if portable and 120 square feet or less and not in a floodplain
• Swings and playground equipment
• Fences
• Sidewalks and driveways
• Paneling, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work
• Minor electrical repair and maintenance
• Minor mechanical repair and maintenance
• Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep
• No permit required for re-roofing or re-siding an existing structure, per county guidance in the items/fees sheet. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/ and https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/files/printable-forms/Items-Needed-to-Obtain-a-Building-Permit.pdf

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Call (260) 636-2215 when a segment is complete and ready for inspection. (phone)

Typical inspection sequence: County indicates multiple inspection points during construction; the contractor or owner must know those points and schedule each needed inspection.

Violations are subject to fines; county requires work to be ready before requesting inspection. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/required-permits/

Additional Resources

• Building code: Indiana Division of Fire and Building Safety codes. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Other useful links
• License lookup guide: Indiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Indiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Indiana hub: Indiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Noble County Building Permit FAQ

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

new structures, additions, structural changes, manufactured housing, foundation work, storage sheds over 120 square feet, grain bins, decks, wind turbine towers, communication towers, sprinkler systems, and mechanicals such as electric, plumbing, and HVAC. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/required-permits/

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

Fees are calculated as: 0.08 per square foot of living area; 0.04 per square foot of non-living area; $35.00 for each garage, deck, covered or screened porch, pole building for personal use, accessory building, electrical, heating or plumbing improvements; 0.02 per square foot for agricultural use structures; $35.00 for grain bin or lean-to. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/files/printable-forms/Items-Needed-to-Obtain-a-Building-Permit.pdf. Plan check fee: Not publicly separated from permit fee..

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

The following work is generally exempt: Detached accessory structure if portable and 120 square feet or less and not in a floodplain; Swings and playground equipment; Fences; Sidewalks and driveways; Paneling, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish work; Minor electrical repair and maintenance; Minor mechanical repair and maintenance; Prefabricated swimming pools less than 24 inches deep; No permit required for re-roofing or re-siding an existing structure, per county guidance in the items/fees sheet. https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/offices/building-department/ and https://www.in.gov/counties/noble/files/printable-forms/Items-Needed-to-Obtain-a-Building-Permit.pdf.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Noble County, IN?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call (260) 636-2215 when a segment is complete and ready for inspection..