5 rules for unincorporated St. Joseph County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
St. Joseph County zoning permits an accessory dwelling unit, capping a detached ADU at 1,200 square feet and requiring it to sit behind the front building line with an Improvement Location Permit. Off public sewer it needs a septic construction permit under 410 IAC 6-8.3.
410 IAC 6-8.3-53 (Construction permits)
the owner, or agent of the owner, shall obtain a written construction permit, signed by the health officer, for construction of a residential on-site sewage system
A backyard shed in St. Joseph County must keep the district's front and side setbacks and stay at least 8 feet off the rear property line under Zoning Ordinance Section 154.070.
St. Joseph County, Ind., Zoning Ordinance § 154.070(C)(1)(a) (Accessory Buildings)
Accessory buildings must meet the required front and side setback and be no less than eight (8) feet from the rear property line.
Converting a garage to living space in St. Joseph County is a change of occupancy requiring a building permit under the 2020 Indiana Residential Code. The county Building Department reviews egress, ceiling height, insulation, and smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms.
2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4-1, adopting the 2018 IRC)
That certain document being titled the 2018 International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings, first printing August 2017, published by the International Code Council
A carport in St. Joseph County is a permitted residential accessory structure that needs an Improvement Location Permit, must meet the district's front and side setbacks, and must sit at least 8 feet from the rear property line under Zoning Ordinance Section 154.070.
St. Joseph County, Ind., Zoning Ordinance § 154.070(C)(1)(a) (Accessory Buildings)
Accessory buildings must meet the required front and side setback and be no less than eight (8) feet from the rear property line.
A tiny house on a permanent foundation is legal in St. Joseph County when built to the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, Appendix Q, for dwellings 400 square feet or less. A tiny house on wheels is a recreational vehicle and cannot be used as a dwelling under Zoning Section 154.079.
2020 Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4), Appendix Q § AQ101.1
This appendix shall be applicable to tiny houses used as single dwelling units. Tiny houses shall comply with this code except as otherwise stated in this appendix.
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