Tippecanoe County, IN Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Dwelling permit fee
- $0.17/sq ft, $50 minimum
- Accessory structure fee
- $0.14/sq ft, $50 minimum
- Permit voids if unstarted
- within 1 year of issuance
- Completion deadline
- 2 years from issuance
- Unpermitted-start surcharge
- 50% of permit fee
- General violation fine
- $100 per day (§151.99)
Summary
Tippecanoe County requires a permit before beginning construction, demolition, or alteration of any building or structure in the unincorporated county. The Building Commissioner issues the permit, checks the project against the Unified Zoning Ordinance first, and collects fees set in the fee schedule at County Code § 151A.04.
(A) Permit required. A permit shall be obtained before beginning construction, demolition or alteration of any building or structure, using forms furnished by the Building Commissioner. All permits shall be issued by the Building Commissioner, and all fees provided for herein shall be paid to the county.
(1) A building permit expires and becomes void if:
(a) The work authorized by the permit is not started within one year from the date of issuance;
(b) The work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned for one year;
(c) The work authorized by the permit is not completed within two years from the date of issuance.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-17: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2025-25-CM, passed 8-1-25; and State legislation current through 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
07(A), a permit must be obtained before construction, demolition, or alteration begins, using forms furnished by the Building Commissioner, and all fees go to the county. A permit expires and becomes void if work is not started within one year of issuance, is suspended or abandoned for one year, or is not completed within two years of issuance; the Building Commissioner may grant extensions if the request is filed before expiration. Permits issued before September 1, 1999 expired 90 days after September 1, 2005. 07(C) requires the project be checked for compliance with the Unified Zoning Ordinance of Tippecanoe County, and it may also need a site plan approved by the County Surveyor, a driveway permit or letter from the County Highway Engineer, or a septic permit or letter from the County Board of Health.
14 per square foot (minimum $50) for detached garages, pole barns, yard barns, swimming pools, grain bins, and decks. Demolition permits cost $75 and land fill permits cost $150. 04 exempts storage buildings of 120 square feet or less that are not on a masonry or concrete foundation, and fences, mobile structures, and certified industrialized buildings, from the subchapter entirely.
Violations & Fines
Building without the required permit triggers a 50% surcharge on the permit fee under § 151A.04(H), calculated from the day the first building element is put in place. Beyond that, § 151.99 makes any violation of §§ 151.01 through 151.17 punishable by a $100 fine, with each day of continuing unlawful activity charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues building permits in Tippecanoe County?
How long does a Tippecanoe County building permit stay valid?
What happens if I start building before getting a permit?
Does the county check zoning before issuing a building permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tippecanoe County
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