County Building Permits
Perry County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Perry County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
The department states it issues improvement location permits and administers zoning regulations for all unincorporated land in Perry County and land outside two miles from the corporate limits of Cannelton, Tell City, and Troy.
- Department
- Perry County Planning and Zoning Department
- Address
- 2219 Payne Street, Tell City, IN 47586
- Phone
- (812) 547-7121 for appointments
Application Process
- Confirm the work is in the county's permit jurisdiction.
- Complete the building permit application.
- Prepare and attach a complete copy of the application, a dimensional floor plan, and, if applicable, a water/sewage permit.
- Submit the application to planning and zoning.
- The office reviews the filing and issues the permit if the submittal is complete and compliant.
- Start work within one year and finish within two years.
General Requirements
The department states it issues an improvement location permit for a structure that is erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted, or enlarged. The page also says an improvement location permit is required before occupying or using vacant land, before occupying or using a structure that is constructed, reconstructed, moved, or enlarged, before changing the use of a structure or land, and before changing a nonconforming use.
Required Documents
- Complete application, dimensional floor plan, and water/sewage permit if applicable. The application also notes that a site plan from an Indiana licensed surveyor is required for new single-family dwellings.
- Contractor requirements
- Spec sheets for engineered materials must be on site during construction for inspector reference. The application also references compliance with state statutes and county ordinances.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Residential single-family or two-family dwelling is $200 base fee plus $0.10 per square foot of floor area.
- Permit fee formula
- Published fee schedule includes:
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Perry County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: Permit issuance first, then construction, then required inspections, then certificate of occupancy before occupancy.
$50 re-inspection fee is referenced in the application for a failed final inspection related to the energy-efficiency certificate requirement. The fee schedule also lists $75 per individual re-inspection.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County permit application
- County planning and zoning department page
- 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 Perry County Planning and Zoning Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Perry County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Perry County, IN?
- The department states it issues an improvement location permit for a structure that is erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted, or enlarged. The page also says an improvement location permit is required before occupying or using vacant land, before occupying or using a structure that is constructed, reconstructed, moved, or enlarged, before changing the use of a structure or land, and before changing a nonconforming use.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Perry County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is Residential single-family or two-family dwelling is $200 base fee plus $0.10 per square foot of floor area.. Fees are calculated as: Published fee schedule includes:.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Perry County, IN?
- 1. Confirm the work is in the county's permit jurisdiction. 2. Complete the building permit application. 3. Prepare and attach a complete copy of the application, a dimensional floor plan, and, if applicable, a water/sewage permit. 4. Submit the application to planning and zoning. 5. The office reviews the filing and issues the permit if the submittal is complete and compliant. 6. Start work within one year and finish within two years.
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