County Building Permits
Tippecanoe County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Indiana Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
County building permit office for most of Tippecanoe County outside Lafayette, West Lafayette, and Otterbein.
- Department
- Tippecanoe County Building Commission
- Address
- 20 North 3rd Street, Lafayette, IN 47901
- Phone
- 765-423-9225
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Tippecanoe County Online Permit Applications and Information • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Confirm zoning and site constraints. Plan review requires building and site plans, and APC zoning review may be needed depending on the project.
- Download the applicable permit application and supporting forms from the county online permit page.
- Assemble the required packet: application and ASC form, subcontractor list, owner letter of consent if needed, construction plans, site plan, and project-specific items such as septic approval, floodplain permit, or driveway permit.
- Submit the package to the Building Commission by email plan submittal, or in person at the county office.
- Pay fees by check or exact cash only until 3:30 PM daily.
- Wait for review and issuance. County states the Building Commissioner is allowed up to 10 days to review plans.
- Schedule inspections with at least 24 hours notice and complete the required sequence through final approval.
Typical processing time: Up to 10 days for plan review; up to 10 working days after a full submittal.
General Requirements
County reviews and issues permits for building construction, fills, demolitions, and electrical work. All in-ground pools require a permit; above-ground pools require one if 42 inches or taller. Most signs require a permit.
Required Documents
- Application and ASC form
- Subcontractor list
- Owner signature or letter of consent
- Detailed plans
- Site plan
- Project-specific approvals (septic permit, floodplain permit, driveway permit where applicable)
- Permit validity
- Permit is valid for 2 years but must be started within the first year.
- Building code
- Compliance with local ordinances and state adopted codes. Inspections are for compliance with local ordinances and state adopted codes. The 2012 Indiana Energy Code is referenced.
- Owner-builder
- County forms require owner authorization and allow homeowner sign-off through the application or letter of consent.
- Contractor requirements
- All contractors hired to work on a permitted job must have a current License and Permit Bond on file. $15,000 for a general contractor and $10,000 per trade for a subcontractor.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $75.00 plus $20.00 filing fee
- Permit fee formula
- Mixed. Residential and remodel work: $0.25 per square foot; agricultural and several accessory categories: $0.20 per square foot; commercial: $0.35 per square foot; electrical and demolition fees are flat-fee categories.
- Reinspection fee
- $75.00; third reinspection for same inspection type requires $50.00 fee before another inspection
- Penalty (no permit)
- Actual permit fee plus 50% of permit fee plus $70.00 filing fee for building without permit
- Payment note
- Payment by check or exact cash only until 3:30 PM daily.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Fences do not require a building permit, although zoning rules still apply
- Above-ground pools below 42 inches do not require a permit
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 765-423-9225 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- At least 24 hours notice required for all inspections
- Inspection hours
- Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Foundation footer or slab; temporary pole; rough-in and temporary main; permanent service; final; certificate of occupancy as applicable.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Compliance with local ordinances and state adopted codes. Inspections are for compliance with local ordinances and state adopted codes. The 2012 Indiana Energy Code is referenced.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Fence Brochure
- Inspection Schedule
- License and Permit Bond Information
- Permit Application Requirements
- 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 Tippecanoe County Building Commission before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tippecanoe County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, IN?
- County reviews and issues permits for building construction, fills, demolitions, and electrical work. All in-ground pools require a permit; above-ground pools require one if 42 inches or taller. Most signs require a permit.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, IN?
- The minimum permit fee is $75.00 plus $20.00 filing fee. Fees are calculated as: Mixed. Residential and remodel work: $0.25 per square foot; agricultural and several accessory categories: $0.20 per square foot; commercial: $0.35 per square foot; electrical and demolition fees are flat-fee categories..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, IN?
- 1. Confirm zoning and site constraints. Plan review requires building and site plans, and APC zoning review may be needed depending on the project. 2. Download the applicable permit application and supporting forms from the county online permit page. 3. Assemble the required packet: application and ASC form, subcontractor list, owner letter of consent if needed, construction plans, site plan, and project-specific items such as septic approval, floodplain permit, or driveway permit. 4. Submit the package to the Building Commission by email plan submittal, or in person at the county office. 5. Pay fees by check or exact cash only until 3:30 PM daily. 6. Wait for review and issuance. County states the Building Commissioner is allowed up to 10 days to review plans. 7. Schedule inspections with at least 24 hours notice and complete the required sequence through final approval.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, IN?
- Typical processing time is Up to 10 days for plan review; up to 10 working days after a full submittal..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, IN?
- The following work is generally exempt: Fences do not require a building permit, although zoning rules still apply; Above-ground pools below 42 inches do not require a permit.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Tippecanoe County, IN?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 765-423-9225. At least 24 hours notice required for all inspections.
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This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.