Howard County, IN Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted code
- 1976 Plumbing Rules and Regulations, Vol. III
- Permit threshold
- Contract/cost over $100
- Permitting official
- County Building Commissioner
- Minimum permit fee
- $5 (costs up to $5,000)
- Inspection fee
- $7.50 per inspection
- Max penalty
- $2,500 per day (§ 10.99)
Summary
Howard County adopted the Plumbing Rules and Regulations, Volume III, 1976 edition, by reference under § 150.03(A)(4), and § 150.05 makes it unlawful to start any plumbing work with a contract price or estimated cost over $100 without first getting the Building Commissioner's approval and a permit.
(4) The Plumbing Rules and Regulations, Volume III, 1976 edition, amended 1976, promulgated by the Administrative Building Council of Indiana. ... (A) Prior to the construction of any building, structure, dwelling or any part thereof, no extension, repair or alteration of any existing building, no plumbing, no electrical work, no heating work, no ventilation work, nor air conditioning work having a contract price or estimated cost of more than $100 shall be started until a statement in writing of the work proposed to be done shall first be submitted by the contractor or individual in charge of the work to and approved by the Building Commissioner, and a permit issued by him or her for the proposed construction, alteration, repair or extension work.
Full Breakdown
03(A)(4) adopts the Plumbing Rules and Regulations, Volume III, 1976 edition as amended in 1976 and promulgated by the Administrative Building Council of Indiana, as the plumbing standard governing construction in the county, alongside the Indiana Construction Rules and Regulations, the One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code, the National Electrical Code and the Mechanical Rules and Regulations; copies of all five are kept on file with the County Building Commission at the Courthouse. 05(A) requires that before any plumbing work with a contract price or estimated cost over $100 begins, the contractor or person in charge must submit a written statement of the proposed work and get it approved by the Building Commissioner, who issues the permit.
The Commissioner can require detailed plans and specifications, retains a copy on file, and must approve any change before it is made; a permit must be refused if the proposed work would violate a state statute or county ordinance. 50 fee per required inspection. No permit is needed for painting or cosmetic work that does not alter or extend the building. 07.
Violations & Fines
Starting plumbing work costing more than $100 without an approved Building Commissioner's permit violates § 150.02 and § 150.05, punishable under the county's general penalty section, § 10.99, by a fine of up to $2,500, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense; the Commissioner may also halt the job with a stop-work order under § 150.08.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Howard County require a permit for plumbing work?
How much does a plumbing permit cost in unincorporated Howard County?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
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