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Bartholomew County, IN Building Safety: Electrical Permits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enforcing agency
Chief Technical Code Enforcement Officer
Residential electrical fee
$60 first inspection, § 150.20(I)
Commercial/multi-family fee
$75 first inspection, § 150.21(H)
Extra inspection fee
$1 after 2 visits, § 153.38
Unsafe-wiring repair deadline
15 days
Owner DIY exception
1 job per year, own home

Summary

Anyone wiring a building in unincorporated Bartholomew County must have the work inspected by the Chief Technical Code Enforcement Officer before it's concealed in conduit or covered over, confirming it meets the Indiana Electrical Code adopted at § 150.06. A residential electrical permit costs $60 for the first inspection plus $60 for each additional one; commercial, industrial and multi-family work costs $75 each.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Bartholomew County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(H) Electrical permit only. Minimum fee is $75 for first inspection, plus $75 for each additional inspection. ... Before any electrician, electrical contractor or other person shall complete the wiring of any building or place located in the county and before the electrical wiring shall be concealed in conduit or any other manner, the work shall first be inspected by the Chief Technical Code Enforcement Officer or his or her designated representative to determine whether or not the work complies with the Electrical Code addressed in § 150.06.

View official code

Full Breakdown

35, though an owner may still do one complete wiring job per year in their own single-family home without a license. 06, which adopts Article 17 of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code, including the Indiana Electrical Code, by reference. 37 lets the inspector periodically reinspect completed wiring, devices, appliances and equipment, and if any installation is found dangerous or unsafe, the owner or operator gets only 15 days, or a longer period the inspector sets, to make repairs. 38 has the inspector issue a certificate of approval describing the building and the date approved; more than two inspections add a $1 fee per extra visit. 39 bars anyone from furnishing electric current to a newly wired building until that certificate is issued. 21(H).

Violations & Fines

Furnishing electric current to a newly wired building before the Chief Technical Code Enforcement Officer issues a certificate of approval violates § 153.39. Concealing wiring in conduit before it's inspected violates § 153.36. On reinspection, § 153.37 gives the owner just 15 days, or a longer period the inspector allows, to correct wiring found dangerous or unsafe, and more than two inspections trigger an added $1 fee per visit under § 153.38(B).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a licensed electrician to wire my own house?
Not always. Section 153.35 requires electrical work to be done under a licensed electrician's supervision, but it also lets an actual property owner do one complete electrical installation or wiring job per year in their own new or existing home without hiring a licensed electrician.
When does the county inspect new wiring?
Section 153.36 requires an inspection before any electrical wiring is concealed in conduit or covered over in any way. The Chief Technical Code Enforcement Officer or a designated representative checks the work against the Electrical Code referenced at § 150.06 before it can be closed up.
How much does an electrical permit cost?
Residential jobs cost $60 for the first inspection plus $60 for each additional inspection under § 150.20(I). Commercial, industrial or multi-family electrical permits run $75 for the first inspection and another $75 for each additional inspection under § 150.21(H), and re-inspections beyond the first two add a further $1 fee under § 153.38.
What if my wiring fails inspection?
Section 153.37 lets the Chief Technical Code Enforcement Officer periodically reinspect installed wiring. If any wiring, device, appliance or equipment is found dangerous or unsafe, you must make the repairs within 15 days, or within a longer period the inspector specifies in the written notice.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bartholomew County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsBuilding PermitsSome RestrictionsPlumbing PermitsSome RestrictionsBuilding InspectionsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesSome Restrictions

All Bartholomew County rules

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