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Building Safety in Howard County, IN (2026)

4 rules for unincorporated Howard County, Indiana.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Howard County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Building Permits

Howard County Code § 150.05 requires a permit from the Building Commissioner before any construction, alteration, extension, or plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation or air conditioning work with a cost over $100 begins in the unincorporated county, though painting and cosmetic repairs are exempt.

Howard County Building Permit Requirement

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code § 150.05

(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...

Electrical Permits

Howard County adopted the 1978 National Electrical Code by reference under § 150.03(A)(3), and § 150.05 makes it unlawful to start any electrical work with a contract price or estimated cost over $100 without first getting the Building Commissioner's approval and a permit.

Howard County Electrical Work Permit

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code §§ 150.03(A)(3), 150.05(A)

(3) The National Electrical Code, 1978 edition, adopted by the National Fire Protection Association. ... (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 ...

Plumbing Permits

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.

Howard County Plumbing Work Permit

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code §§ 150.03(A)(4), 150.05(A)

(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 ...

Building Inspections

In unincorporated Howard County, anyone doing construction, alteration, plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation or air-conditioning work costing more than $100 must get a permit from the Building Commissioner before starting. The Commissioner reviews plans, issues the permit, and charges a sliding-scale fee plus a $7.50 inspection fee for each required inspection. Cosmetic repairs and painting are exempt.

Howard County Building Permit and Inspection Rules

Some Restrictions

Howard County Code §§ 150.05, 150.06

(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...

All Howard County ordinances

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