Accessory Structures in Tippecanoe County, IN (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Tippecanoe County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Tippecanoe County allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot, but only in unincorporated rural zones, and only up to half the principal home's ground-floor area, capped at 1,200 square feet if detached, under § 4-12 of the county's zoning ordinance.
Tippecanoe County Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsTippecanoe County Unified Zoning Ordinance § 4-12(a), (d)-(e)
An accessory dwelling unit is permitted in unincorporated Tippecanoe County only and only in rural zones and when the below qualifications can be met... No more than one accessory dwelling unit shall be permitted on any lot or parcel... The living area of an accessory dwelling unit shall not exceed 50% of the ground floor area of the principal dwelling unit unless 50% of the principal dwelling ...
ADU Owner Occupancy
An accessory dwelling unit in unincorporated Tippecanoe County requires the property owner to actually live on site, in either the main house or the ADU, and to keep that address as their primary residence, backed by a recorded deed restriction.
Tippecanoe County ADU Owner-Occupancy Rule
Significant RestrictionsTippecanoe County Unified Zoning Ordinance § 4-12(g), (m)
(g) The owner of the property shall live on the premises, either in the principal dwelling unit or the accessory dwelling unit and maintain that address as their primary place of residence. ... (m) As a condition of approval, the owner shall prepare a deed restriction to be reviewed and approved by the Administrative Officer (A.O.) Following approval by the A.O., the applicant shall record the ...
ADU Rental Restrictions
Tippecanoe County allows one accessory dwelling unit per lot in rural zones of the unincorporated area, but caps who can live there: occupancy is limited to a single family, separate from the principal dwelling's occupants, and the ADU can never be rented out as a transient guest house.
Tippecanoe County ADU Occupancy & Rental Limits
Some RestrictionsTippecanoe County Unified Zoning Ordinance § 4-12(f), (k)
(f) Occupancy limits for an ADU are restricted to one family. This is exclusive of the occupants of the primary dwelling unit, meaning that the primary dwelling may also be occupied by a separate family concurrently. ... (k) Transient Guest Houses shall not be permitted in ADUs; if the property owner lives in the ADU as their primary residence, then the principal dwelling unit is not permitted ...
Shed & Carport Rules
Tippecanoe County exempts small storage buildings from its building-permit subchapter entirely: § 151.04 excuses any storage building of 120 square feet or less that is not on a masonry or concrete foundation. Once a yard barn or similar accessory building exceeds 120 square feet, § 151A.04(B) charges a $0.14-per-square-foot permit fee.
Tippecanoe County Shed Permit Threshold
Some RestrictionsTippecanoe County Code of Ordinances § 151.04
The provisions of this subchapter apply to the construction, demolition, alterations, use, occupancy, and additions to all buildings and structures other than fences, mobile structures, and/or industrialized buildings certified under I.C. 22-15-4 in the county, except storage buildings of 120 square feet or less and not constructed on a masonry or concrete foundation.
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