Kokomo, IN Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Kokomo Code of Ordinances § 150.02 makes it unlawful for an owner, or a lessee responsible for the work, to do or allow any work on their property involving new buildings, additions to existing buildings, alterations, major repairs, or changes of use without a general building permit issued by the City Civil Engineer. Section 150.03 requires the applicant to submit clear, understandable plans or specifications conforming to all applicable building regulations before the Civil Engineer issues the permit, and construction covered by a state design release under IC 22-15-3-1 must also produce that release from the State Building Commissioner and State Fire Marshal.

Fees are set under § 150.04(B)(2): $75 for construction costing up to $15,000, $150 up to $50,000, $200 up to $100,000, and $500 plus $.50 per $1,000 thereafter for larger jobs, with a $25 charge for each required inspection; a new house requires 4 inspections and a new garage requires 3. Section 150.06 separately requires a certificate of occupancy before a covered structure is used. Section 150.15 assigns enforcement of §§ 150.01 through 150.09 to the City Civil Engineer, and § 150.18(A) gives every person the right to appeal the Building Commissioner's decision first to the Board of Public Works and Safety, then to Indiana's Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission under IC 22-13-2-7 and IC 4-21.5-3-7; fee disputes under § 150.04 follow a separate appeal path in § 150.18(B) to the same Board within a 30-day review period.