County Building Permits
Vigo County, IN - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Vigo County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Vigo County; countywide building inspections enforcement is also described as applying across the county
- Department
- Vigo County Building Inspections Department
- Address
- Vigo County Government Ctr, 127 Oak Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807
- Phone
- (812) 462-3380 x 5631
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CivicPlus action center / online forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Confirm zoning and whether the project needs an Improvement Location Permit.
- If the project adds square footage, complete the three step Improvement Location Permit process with the Area Planning Department and Vigo County Board of Health.
- For commercial construction, submit state approved plans and the design release.
- Submit the applicable building, electric, plumbing, or demolition permit application.
- Pay fees and schedule inspections during construction.
- Receive final approval after required inspections are passed.
General Requirements
New construction, work that adds square footage, and work requiring building, electric, plumbing, or demolition permits under county enforcement
Required Documents
- Permit application, state approved plans for commercial work, design release, and Improvement Location Permit materials when applicable
- Building code
- Vigo County Code Chapter 61, Building Code Ordinance, plus Chapter 62 Unsafe Building Code and other county ordinances listed on the county permit page
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Vigo County Building Inspections Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: County pages state the department performs inspections on all construction and issues the building, electric, plumbing, and demolition permits
Additional Resources
- Building code: Vigo County Code Chapter 61, Building Code Ordinance, plus Chapter 62 Unsafe Building Code and other county ordinances listed on the county permit page
- Area Planning Department
- County ordinances
- County government directory
- GIS portal
- 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 Vigo County Building Inspections Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vigo County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Vigo County, IN?
- New construction, work that adds square footage, and work requiring building, electric, plumbing, or demolition permits under county enforcement
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Vigo County, IN?
- 1. Confirm zoning and whether the project needs an Improvement Location Permit. 2. If the project adds square footage, complete the three step Improvement Location Permit process with the Area Planning Department and Vigo County Board of Health. 3. For commercial construction, submit state approved plans and the design release. 4. Submit the applicable building, electric, plumbing, or demolition permit application. 5. Pay fees and schedule inspections during construction. 6. Receive final approval after required inspections are passed.
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