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§ IN Wells County
County building permits

Unincorporated Wells County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wells County, Indiana. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Wells County Area Plan Commission

Street address
223 W Washington St Room 211, Bluffton, IN 46714
Coverage
The APC says its online permitting step #1 applies to all of Wells County, including the City of Bluffton. For the unincorporated county, the APC is the public permit authority for land-use / location permits and county zoning administration. It is not a separate county building department in the traditional sense.
Online portal
Permit portal
GeoPermits / Schneider GIS
Additional resources
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Wells County

The APC FAQ says permits are needed for homes, commercial structures, industrial structures, public structures, towers, wind turbines, signs, decks, porches, sheds, barns, silos, grain bins, detached garages, above or below ground pools, dog kennels, pavilions, gazebos, additions to any of these, and similar structures.

Reroof
Reside
Paint
Interior remodel
Sidewalk
Driveway
Fences
Parking lot
Temporary structure
Temporary sign
Other similar repair or remodeling work
Additional approvals may still be required for some of these items, so the APC says to call for more details.
  • Exempt Reroof
  • Exempt Reside
  • Exempt Paint
  • Exempt Interior remodel
  • Exempt Sidewalk
  • Exempt Driveway
  • Exempt Fences
  • Exempt Parking lot
  • Exempt Temporary structure
  • Exempt Temporary sign
  • Exempt Other similar repair or remodeling work
  • Exempt Additional approvals may still be required for some of these items, so the APC says to call for more details.
Building code
The APC page links the Wells County zoning, subdivision control, and flood damage prevention ordinances. The reviewed pages do not publish a single consolidated building code adoption statement for the county APC permit program.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Confirm whether the proposed work needs a Wells County Improvement Location Permit.
  2. 02
    Submit the permit package with the required project details and site information.
  3. 03
    APC reviews the application for zoning and ordinance compliance.
  4. 04
    APC performs at least one site inspection before approval.
  5. 05
    Receive permit approval and proceed with work, then complete any required follow-up inspections.

Source: Wells County Area Plan Commission ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Wells County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
Improvement Location Permit under 500 square feet is $40.00 per item.

APC accepts cash, personal checks, certified checks, money orders, and credit / debit cards. Checks should be payable to Wells County APC.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical sequence: At least one site inspection is required before approval; additional inspection sequencing was not clearly published on the reviewed pages.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Wells County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Wells County, IN?
The APC FAQ says permits are needed for homes, commercial structures, industrial structures, public structures, towers, wind turbines, signs, decks, porches, sheds, barns, silos, grain bins, detached garages, above or below ground pools, dog kennels, pavilions, gazebos, additions to any of these, and similar structures.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Wells County, IN?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Wells County, IN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Improvement Location Permit under 500 square feet is $40.00 per item..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wells County, IN?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Wells County, IN, follow these steps: 1. Confirm whether the proposed work needs a Wells County Improvement Location Permit. 2. Submit the permit package with the required project details and site information. 3. APC reviews the application for zoning and ordinance compliance. 4. APC performs at least one site inspection before approval. 5. Receive permit approval and proceed with work, then complete any required follow-up inspections.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Wells County, IN?
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Wells County, IN. The following work is generally exempt: Reroof; Reside; Paint; Interior remodel; Sidewalk; Driveway; Fences; Parking lot; Temporary structure; Temporary sign; Other similar repair or remodeling work; Additional approvals may still be required for some of these items, so the APC says to call for more details.. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
last verified April 2026 source Wells County Area Plan Commission ↗ entry id permits/indiana/wells/unincorporated

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Wells County Area Plan Commission before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.