Building Safety in Kokomo, IN (2026)
5 verified building safety rules for Kokomo, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Door Locking Hardware
Kokomo's Rental Housing Code requires every door connecting a rental unit to the outside to have a functioning lock, hinge and latch. Section 160.20(N) makes the landlord responsible for keeping this hardware in good, tightly securing condition, and a failing door lock is a maintenance violation the Rental Housing Officer can cite under Section 160.99.
Kokomo Rental Door Locking Hardware Rule
Some RestrictionsKokomo Code of Ordinances § 160.20(N)
(N) Door hardware. Every door which connects a rental unit with any area exterior to the unit shall have a functioning locking device, door hinge, and door latch and shall be maintained in good condition. Door locks in rental units shall be capable of tightly securing the door.
Building Permits
A general building permit from the City Civil Engineer is required in Kokomo before any new building, addition, alteration, major repair or change of use begins. Fees scale with construction cost from $75 to $500 or more, and permit denials or fee disputes can be appealed to the Board of Public Works and Safety.
Building Permit Requirements in Kokomo
Some RestrictionsKokomo Code of Ordinances § 150.02, § 150.18
§ 150.02 GENERAL BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED. ... It shall be unlawful for the owner, or the lessee, if the lessee is responsible for the work involved, to do, or allow to be done, any work on his property involving new buildings, or additions to existing buildings, alterations, or major repairs, or changes of use without a general building permit issued by the City Civil Engineer. ... § 150.18 RI...
Electrical Permits
Kokomo adopts the Indiana Electrical Code by reference under § 150.01(A)(4)(a), and § 150.66 requires an electrical permit before installing, modifying, or repairing any conductor, fitting, device, or equipment on a structure. The Department of Engineering, Traffic and Inspection Services issues permits, a denial can be appealed to the Board of Public Works and Safety, and the Common Council sets permit fees by ordinance.
Kokomo Electrical Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsKokomo Code of Ordinances §§ 150.01(A)(4)(a), 150.66(A), (F), (I)
(4) Article 17 - Electrical Codes. (a) Indiana Electrical Code. ... § 150.66 PERMITS REQUIRED. (A) An electrical permit shall be required to install, modify, or repair any electrical conductor, fitting, device, or equipment in or on any structure, public or private, unless such structure shall be under complete custody and control of an owner employing engineering staff and maintenance st...
Plumbing Permits
Kokomo adopts the Indiana Plumbing Code by reference under Chapter 150, so plumbing work is not governed by a separate city plumbing code but by the state code the Common Council incorporated. Any plumbing work tied to new construction, additions or alterations still needs a general building permit from the City Civil Engineer before work starts.
Plumbing Permits and Code Adoption in Kokomo
Some RestrictionsKokomo Code of Ordinances §§ 150.01(A)(3), 150.02
(3) Article 16 - Plumbing Codes. (a) Indiana Plumbing Code. ... § 150.02 GENERAL BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED. It shall be unlawful for the owner, or the lessee, if the lessee is responsible for the work involved, to do, or allow to be done, any work on his property involving new buildings, or additions to existing buildings, alterations, or major repairs, or changes of use without a general buildi...
Building Inspections
The City Civil Engineer or a delegate inspects all covered construction in Kokomo, per Code § 150.05. New houses need 4 inspections, garages 3, and new commercial or industrial buildings 6, at $25 each under § 150.04(B)(2). No certificate of occupancy issues until a final inspection confirms compliance, and the City Civil Engineer must approve or deny it within three days under § 150.08.
Kokomo Building Inspection Requirements
Some RestrictionsKokomo Code of Ordinances §§ 150.04(B)(2), 150.05, 150.08
Inspection and reinspection fees (each) $25 per inspection Required number of inspections New house 4 inspections New garage 3 inspections New commercial 6 inspections New industrial 6 inspections Billboard 2 inspections Swimming pool/hot tub 2 inspections Remodeling 4 inspections Porch/carport 2 inspections ... § 150.05 INSPECTIONS. All inspections necessary to enforce the provisions of this c...
Looking for Howard County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kokomo city rules.
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