Shelby County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Unincorporated Shelby County only; the county building inspector also serves the Town of Fairland

Department

Address

25 W. Polk St., Room 201, Shelbyville, IN 46176

Phone

317-392-6480

Email

jelsrod@co.shelby.in.us , dadams@co.shelby.in.us , dcalderella@co.shelby.in.us

Website

https://www.in.gov/counties/shelby/plan-commission/ and https://www.in.gov/counties/shelby/building-inspector/

Application Process

1. Prepare a site plan showing lot size, existing home, proposed structure, setbacks, and septic/well distances.
2. Email the ILP application, homeowner affidavit if applicable, and site plan to jelsrod@co.shelby.in.us.
3. The administrative assistant sends the package to the Health Department for review.
4. Applicant is contacted for payment and permit issuance by email.
5. Permits are generally processed and issued in one business day.

Source:

General Requirements

New buildings, additions, decks, pools, accessory structures over 200 sq. ft., and other listed work. Any project that requires a building permit and includes or increases impervious surface also needs an ILP.

Required Documents

• ILP application, site plan, homeowner affidavit if owner-builder, building contractor registration if contractor, plumbing contractor registration if applicable, and other supporting documents on the forms.

Permit validity

County pages reviewed did not publish a general expiration term; permits remain subject to completion/inspection requirements. Contractor registrations expire December 31 each year.

Building code

Indiana State Building Code / Indiana Building Code; county states new buildings must comply with the Indiana State Building Code.

Owner-builder

Property owner may act as general contractor with a homeowner affidavit; homeowner may obtain ILP, building, and electrical permits. A homeowner may obtain the plumbing permit only if the homeowner will reside in the home.

Contractor requirements

General contractors and plumbing contractors must be registered with the county unless owner-builder exceptions apply.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

ILP fees begin at $70 for agricultural/residential accessory structures and $210 for a new single-family dwelling; building permit minimums vary by permit type

Plan check fee

Site plan fee $60 in the new home process; site plans and petitions can also trigger review costs, including third-party engineering review where required

Permit fee formula

Examples include $210 for new single-family dwelling ILP; $70 + $25 or $50 scale by work type in the county fee schedule; building fees include set amounts by project type

Reinspection fee

County fee schedule shows construction without permit is double permit fee; a separate detailed reinspection fee was not clearly published on the reviewed pages

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

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Fences
• Paint and wallpaper
• Interior non-structural wall removal and building interior walls
• Replacing floor covering
• Exterior painting
• Replacing/repairing false ceiling
• Replacing/repairing floor and ceiling joists and roof rafters/decking
• Replacing doors and windows with the same openings
• Enclosing a door or window opening is listed as permit-controlled, while replacement with same openings may be exempt depending on functionality
• Under-200 sq. ft. structures
• Non-enclosed carports
• Above-ground pools under 42 inches in depth
• Concrete patios/slabs
• Agricultural structures in agricultural zoning districts are exempt from building permits but still require an ILP
• County FAQ also states no permit is required for fences

Inspections

How to Schedule

• Applicant calls for inspections with the Plan Commission, Inspector's Office, and Health Department as required (online)

Inspection hours

Office hours Monday through Thursday 7 AM to 5 PM; inspection hours Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Typical inspection sequence: Site plan approval, septic permit, access permit, ILP/building/electrical/plumbing permits, site development inspection, final certificate of occupancy

Public pages emphasize calling all required inspections at the proper time and obtaining final approval before occupancy

Additional Resources

• Building code: Indiana State Building Code / Indiana Building Code; county states new buildings must comply with the Indiana State Building Code.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Forms URL
• UDO URL
• GIS URL
• License lookup guide: Indiana Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Indiana Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Indiana hub: Indiana Contractor License & Permit Hub

Frequently Asked Questions

Shelby County Building Permit FAQ

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

New buildings, additions, decks, pools, accessory structures over 200 sq. ft., and other listed work. Any project that requires a building permit and includes or increases impervious surface also needs an ILP.

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

The minimum permit fee is ILP fees begin at $70 for agricultural/residential accessory structures and $210 for a new single-family dwelling; building permit minimums vary by permit type. Fees are calculated as: Examples include $210 for new single-family dwelling ILP; $70 + $25 or $50 scale by work type in the county fee schedule; building fees include set amounts by project type. Plan check fee: Site plan fee $60 in the new home process; site plans and petitions can also trigger review costs, including third-party engineering review where required.

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

1. Prepare a site plan showing lot size, existing home, proposed structure, setbacks, and septic/well distances. 2. Email the ILP application, homeowner affidavit if applicable, and site plan to jelsrod@co.shelby.in.us. 3. The administrative assistant sends the package to the Health Department for review. 4. Applicant is contacted for payment and permit issuance by email. 5. Permits are generally processed and issued in one business day.

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

The following work is generally exempt: Fences; Paint and wallpaper; Interior non-structural wall removal and building interior walls; Replacing floor covering; Exterior painting; Replacing/repairing false ceiling; Replacing/repairing floor and ceiling joists and roof rafters/decking; Replacing doors and windows with the same openings; Enclosing a door or window opening is listed as permit-controlled, while replacement with same openings may be exempt depending on functionality; Under-200 sq. ft. structures; Non-enclosed carports; Above-ground pools under 42 inches in depth; Concrete patios/slabs; Agricultural structures in agricultural zoning districts are exempt from building permits but still require an ILP; County FAQ also states no permit is required for fences.

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

Inspections can be scheduled via: Applicant calls for inspections with the Plan Commission, Inspector's Office, and Health Department as required.