St. Joseph County, IN Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

Under St. Joseph County Code § 151.05(A), no construction, extension, repair, alteration, or demolition of any building or structure in the unincorporated county, including plumbing, heating, electrical, or masonry work, may begin until the building commissioner issues a permit, if the project's contract price or estimated cost exceeds $500. Applicants must first file written plans, specifications, and a plot plan showing setbacks, easements, and property lines for the commissioner's approval; work that departs from the approved plans is itself a violation. Section 151.05(B) exempts interior or exterior painting and repair or maintenance jobs under 15 percent of the structure's value, unless that work causes a substantial structural modification.

Demolition needs its own written statement and permit under § 151.05(C). Fees are calculated under § 150.17 using the ICC building valuation table times square footage times a local variable factor of $0.00098, with separate schedules for demolition, additions, and re-inspections. A permit is valid for six months to start work and one year to finish, per § 150.16, with up to two six-month extensions; after two years a new permit is required. New residential dwellings, new non-residential buildings, and renovations over $10,000 also need a certificate of occupancy under § 151.06 before anyone can use or occupy the building. Owners may appeal a building commissioner's order to the state Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission under § 151.07 and IC 22-13-2-7.