Bolthole Index

Decatur County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Decatur County, Indiana

60Index Score / 100
#39 of 92 in Indiana

Decatur County, Indiana requires a building permit and administers zoning, with the Area Plan Office handling online permit applications and Improvement Location Permits123. Residential septic permitting and inspections go through Decatur County Environmental Health45. Confirm the parcel's zoning district, sewage plan and road access before committing to a rural build.

At a glance

Building permit
Required; start with the Decatur County Area Plan Office13
Zoning
Yes; the county ordinance incorporates township zoning maps26
Septic permit
Handled by Decatur County Environmental Health47
Septic inspections
Required before construction and during installation5
RV living
Countywide residential occupancy rule not confirmed; ask Area Plan3
Tiny home
General occupancy rule not confirmed; zoning approval depends on the parcel23
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed; ask Area Plan before acting as your own contractor83
County-road driveway
The Highway Department publishes a driveway permit form9

Who to call

Building permits

Decatur County Area Plan Office

Building and improvement-location permit applications, zoning, and building-inspection information for Decatur County

812-663-8451

150 Courthouse Square, Suite 117

Septic permits

Decatur County Health Department, Environmental Health

Residential on-site sewage system permits and inspections in Decatur County

(812) 663-8301

[email protected]

315 S Ireland St, Greensburg, IN 47240

Roads & driveways

Decatur County Highway Department

County-road driveway permits, road-crossing permits and county highway standards

812-663-2682

959 S. Co Rd 200 West, Greensburg, IN 47240

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Decatur County, Indiana?

Yes. Decatur County requires building permits, and the Area Plan Office serves the county outside Greensburg1. The Area Plan page provides online permitting, an Improvement Location Permit, construction standards, a building-inspection requirement and minimum-inspection information3. Indiana also has adopted residential and building codes, including the state-amended residential code and building code applicable according to the type of structure10. Start with Area Plan before ordering a structure or beginning site work, because the county's permit process and the state code layer are separate from septic, driveway and floodway approvals. Projects inside Greensburg should be checked with the city because the Area Plan Office's county building-inspector coverage excludes Greensburg1.

Who handles Decatur County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Decatur County Area Plan Office is the first stop for building and land-use approval. Its office is at 150 Courthouse Square, Suite 117, and its phone number is 812-663-84513. The official page directs applicants to online permitting, names the Improvement Location Permit, and links building-inspection and construction-standard materials3. Ask the office which permit package fits the proposed use, what plot or construction documents are required, and which inspections must be scheduled. Building and zoning fees could not be confirmed from the reviewed county material, so obtain the current fee and submission checklist directly from Area Plan. For a driveway on a county road, the Decatur County Highway Department separately publishes a driveway-permit form and can be reached at 812-663-26829.

Does Decatur County, Indiana have zoning?

Decatur County has zoning, and the county ordinance incorporates a zoning map for each township26. The practical answer for a buyer therefore depends on the parcel's mapped district, not simply on the land having a rural mailing address. Residential districts have district-specific development standards; for example, structures in the residential districts covered by the reviewed rule have a 35-foot height limit measured from the highest ground elevation around the structure's perimeter11. Agricultural zoning does not create a blanket permit exemption: land zoned A-1 or A-2 receives a specific exemption from a 30-foot county-road right-of-way dedication, but that does not waive building, zoning or septic requirements12. Ask Area Plan to identify the parcel's district and applicable setbacks before designing the site3.

How do septic permits work in Decatur County?

Decatur County Environmental Health permits and inspects residential on-site sewage systems, while commercial on-site systems require an approval letter from the Indiana Department of Health7. Residential sites are inspected before construction and again during installation5. Indiana's statewide rule is administered by local boards of health, with local permit programs reviewed by the state health department13. Contact Environmental Health at (812) 663-8301 or [email protected]14. Site feasibility deserves early attention: only about 0.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so do not assume a standard system will fit a parcel before evaluation15. A dwelling off sewer still needs a compliant septic tank and soil-absorption system; drywells and cesspools are not allowed16.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Decatur County?

We could not confirm a countywide rule allowing long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping or general tiny-home occupancy in Decatur County. Because Decatur County has zoning, ask the Area Plan Office how the parcel's district treats the proposed structure and use before buying or moving an RV onto the land23. Indiana's campground rule does not answer whether someone may live in an RV on an individually deeded parcel; that rule applies to regulated campgrounds and expressly addresses a different setting17. A tiny home still has to fit the county permit process and Indiana's applicable construction code110. Any occupied dwelling without sewer service also needs compliant sewage disposal, so solve septic feasibility rather than treating an RV or small structure as a way around sanitation rules16.

Building a home in Decatur County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Area Plan Office to identify the parcel's zoning district, permitted residential use, setbacks and required permit package23.
  2. Confirm water and sewage capacity before finalizing the site plan, because county zoning standards require sufficient capacity for regulated uses, buildings and structures18.
  3. Send the soil information to Decatur County Environmental Health and complete the residential septic-permit process; the county inspects before construction and during installation145.
  4. Apply for the building and Improvement Location Permits through Area Plan and confirm the inspection schedule13.
  5. Apply to the Highway Department for a county-road driveway, or use INDOT's electronic permit system if the entrance connects to a state highway919.
  6. Check floodway status; most development in an Indiana floodway requires DNR review, although exemptions can apply20.

What should you check before buying land in Decatur County?

Make septic feasibility the first physical-site test: only about 0.6% of Decatur County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field15. Terrain is generally gentle, with about 96.5% of land at a 15% slope or less, but a specific building pad can still differ21. Confirm the township zoning map, district standards, legal access and whether the road is county-maintained or a state highway before closing69. Check floodway status because Indiana DNR regulates most floodway development, while floodplain-fringe work may instead be governed through local floodplain rules2022. For carrying costs, the county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6%, with a median annual bill around $1,1762324. Private-well permitting in Decatur County remains unconfirmed, so ask Environmental Health before relying on a well plan1425.

Watch-outs

  • Decatur County requires building permits, but the exact permit needed for a particular project should be confirmed with the Area Plan Office before work starts13.
  • Agricultural zoning provides a narrow right-of-way dedication exemption for A-1 and A-2 land, not a blanket exemption from building, zoning or septic approval12.
  • Decatur County's long-term RV, temporary-camping, tiny-home and owner-builder rules remain unconfirmed; ask the Area Plan Office about the specific parcel and project83.

Sources

  1. Decatur County Area Plan Office (2026 county census)
  2. Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  3. Decatur County Area Plan Office (decaturcounty.in.gov)
  4. Decatur County: Environmental Health (2026 county census)
  5. Decatur County: Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  6. Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  7. Decatur County: Environmental Health, quoted and re-checked
  8. (2026 county census)
  9. Decatur County Highway Department (decaturcounty.in.gov)
  10. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, quoted and re-checked
  11. Zoning Ordinance Article 10: Residential, quoted and re-checked
  12. Zoning Ordinance Article 03: General Standards, quoted and re-checked
  13. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Decatur County Health Department, Environmental Health (in.gov)
  15. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  16. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Zoning Ordinance Article 03: General Standards, quoted and re-checked
  19. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written September 28, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Decatur County in Indiana

60
County map
Decatur County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Decatur County scores

Seclusion30100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency66100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability70100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost69100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$264kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$9,415Land / acre
46.5"Annual rain
3% of yrsSevere drought
5.1 / yr (+4.9)Mid-century 100°F days
13.3 daysMid-century dry spell
1.77" (+9.8%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.83×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,400Home insurance / yr
1.6% / yrInsurance growth
1.05%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
63,391People within 30 min
7,114,763People within 2 hr
50,536Radius comparison (15 mi)
70.9People / sq mi
0%Federal land
96.5%Land at 15% slope or less
0.6%Septic soil without severe limits
1,320 acWorkable land screen
18%Wooded land
87.4 tonsBiomass / forest ac
53.1°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Decatur County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Decatur County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning ordinance and zoning districts administered under the Decatur County ordinance.

    • The ordinance incorporates township zoning maps and affected legislative-unit amendments.
    “A Zoning Map of each township in Decatur County”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in residential zoning districts R-1 through R-4.

    • The height limitation applies to all structures.
    • Height is measured from the highest ground elevation around the perimeter of the structure.

    R-1 through R-4 height limitation: 35 feet

    “Height limitation applies to all structures in this District.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Residential on-site sewage systems in Decatur County.

    • Commercial on-site septic systems require an approval letter from the Indiana Department of Health.
    • The county department works with IDEM and IDOH.
    “permitting and inspecting On-Site Sewage Systems (OSS)”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    All residential on-site sewage system sites in Decatur County.

    • Inspection occurs before construction and during installation.
    • Commercial systems require an Indiana Department of Health approval letter.
    “before construction and during installation”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Uses, buildings, and structures regulated by the Decatur County zoning ordinance.

    • Sufficient water supply and sewage disposal capacity must be available.
    • Public utility extensions such as water and sewer lines, pump stations, and well heads are exempt from a Plan Commission permit only when they are not part of site-plan or subdivision review.
    • Other federal, state, or local permits may still be required.
    “sufficient water supply and sewage disposal capacity is available”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural A-1 and A-2 land adjoining a county roadway.

    • Agricultural land zoned A-1 or A-2 is exempt from dedicating the specified right-of-way easement.
    • This is a right-of-way dedication exemption, not a general exemption from zoning, building, septic, or other requirements.

    right-of-way dedication: 30 feet (A-1 or A-2 agricultural zoning)

    “Any land zoned as Agricultural (A-1 or A-2) is exempt”

Indiana rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Building-permit or plan-review requirements for construction in Indiana; the state describes these as administrative provisions local jurisdictions may adopt and enforce.

    • Whether a building permit or plan review is required depends on the applicable local jurisdiction's administrative ordinance or process.
    • The cited IDHS statement says local jurisdictions retain authority to establish departments, create inspection schedules, establish fines, and create an order-review process.
    • IDHS states its summary represents the agency's position and is not binding; initial determinations about enforceability of a specific ordinance are left to the local unit administering it.
    “However, HEA 1575 did not eliminate the authority of local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce administrative provisions in building and fire safety ordinances, which include, among other things: (1) the establishment of departments; (2) the requirement to obtain a building permit or plan review; (3) the creation of inspection schedules; (4) the establishment of fines; or (5) the creation of an order review process.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Statewide Indiana construction subject to the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission's adopted building codes, including the Indiana Building Code and Indiana Residential Code.

    • The adopted codes consist of model codes amended for Indiana.
    • The 2014 Indiana Building Code under 675 IAC 13-2.6 is currently in effect and became effective December 1, 2014.
    • The 2020 Indiana Residential Code under 675 IAC 14-4.4 is currently in effect and became effective December 26, 2019.
    • Specific applicability depends on the structure and code category.

    Indiana Building Code effective date: 2014-12-01 · Indiana Residential Code effective date: 2019-12-26

    “The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission creates Indiana codes by adopting model codes and amending them to apply in Indiana.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction inspections in Indiana, including Class I structures in jurisdictions without an approved building department and construction subject to a Construction Design Release.

    • In jurisdictions without an approved building department, IDHS Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance.
    • When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, IDHS Code Enforcement conducts construction-process and final inspections.
    • Agricultural buildings and one- and two-family residential structures fall under the local government entity; if no local government entity exists, the county government may provide inspections, and IDHS states that if there is no local government entity the residential issue becomes a private civil matter.
    “In jurisdictions where there is not an approved building department, Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance. When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, Code Enforcement will conduct inspections during the construction process and provide a final inspection. Agricultural buildings and residential structures (one- and two-family dwellings) fall under the jurisdiction of the local government entity.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Residential sanitation in Indiana where a dwelling is not connected, or cannot be connected, to a sanitary sewerage system.

    • The dwelling must be provided with a compliant residential on-site sewage system including a septic tank and a soil absorption system that has not failed.
    • A temporary sewage holding tank is subject to written Indiana Department of Health approval, with specified exceptions for failed systems, soil conditions after a construction permit, and certain district, utility, or municipal sewage plans.
    • A holding tank operated as a primary residential disposal method for a sewer connection plan is limited to not more than one year unless the period is extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation.
    • Drywells and cesspools are not allowed for construction or use as on-site sewage treatment in Indiana.

    holding-tank sewer-connection period: <= 1 year (may be extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation)

    “septic tank and a soil absorption system”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction of residential water-supply wells and installation of well pumps in Indiana.

    • Indiana Department of Health standards state that several local health departments require a permit before residential water-supply well construction or well-pump installation.
    • The cited statewide source does not identify which local health departments require permits; local requirements must therefore be checked for the specific property.
    • Water-well drillers must be licensed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
    “Several local health departments now require that a permit be obtained before construction of a residential water supply well or installation of a well pump.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of lots or lands outside the corporate boundaries of a municipality in Indiana.

    • A correct plat must be recorded with the county recorder before selling lots.
    • The plat must show public places, public ways, and the length, width, and size of each lot.
    • A registered land surveyor must certify the correctness of the plat.
    • The subdivision plat must be submitted for approval by the board of county commissioners.
    • The county recorder may record the plat only if a certificate showing approval of the county commissioners is attached.
    • Once a subdivision-control ordinance is adopted and filed, the plan commission has exclusive control over approval of plats and replats covered by that ordinance.
    • The cited state summary distinguishes subdivisions outside municipalities; incorporated municipalities may have separate statutory or local procedures.
    “Subdivisions Outside Cities and Towns: A person who lays out a subdivision of lots or lands outside the corporate boundaries of any municipality shall record a correct plat of the subdivision in the office of the recorder of the county before selling any lots in the subdivision. The plat must show public places, public ways, and the length, width, and size of each lot.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway connections and construction inside the right-of-way of Indiana state highways.

    • The governmental unit having jurisdiction over the street or highway must grant permission.
    • INDOT jurisdiction is limited to the Indiana state highway system; other governmental units may use the guide as a guideline.
    • Applications must be made through the INDOT Electronic Permit System.
    “State law requires the public to obtain permission from the governmental unit having jurisdiction over a street or highway”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development activities within the fringe portion of Indiana floodplains.

    • There is no state review or state permit for fringe development.
    • When a community adopts floodplain regulations, the regulations must be approved by the Department and may not be less restrictive than 312 IAC 10.
    • Most Indiana communities participate in the NFIP, which requires certain federal regulations to be adopted and enforced for the entire floodplain.
    • Local permits may still be required.
    “There is no State review of or permit issued for development activities within the fringe portion of the floodplain.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Most development activities in Indiana floodways, including fills, excavations, bridges, utilities, and non-residential structures.
      “The DNR Division of Water has jurisdiction in Indiana's floodways for most development activities.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published fees for specified Indiana DNR Division of Water and INDOT permits statewide.

    • Fees apply to the specified permit types and do not establish a single fee for every Indiana permit.
    • DNR lists fees by statute and permit application type; INDOT fees vary by driveway or road-approach subtype.

    DNR Flood Control Act excavation, fill, or non-residential construction in a floodway application fee: 200 USD · DNR Flood Control Act residential reconstruction in a floodway other than the Ohio River floodway application fee: 50 USD · DNR Flood Control Act residential construction or reconstruction in the Ohio River floodway application fee: 10 USD · INDOT private driveway, private field access, temporary driveway, or driveway removal fee: 55 USD · INDOT minor or sub-minor commercial driveway or minor public road approach fee: 150 USD · INDOT major commercial driveway or major public road approach fee: 600 USD

    “IC 14-28-1 | Flood Control Act - Excavation, fill, or non-residential construction in a floodway | $200”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Indiana state construction design-release review for Class 1 structures; local permits may also be required.

    • The process applies to projects required to file with IDHS for a construction design release.
    • All work, including work exempted from state filing, may require local permits.
    • If additional documents are uploaded before the initial response, the 10-business-day period restarts.
    • A selected plan review may result in corrections before release.

    initial completeness or review determination: 10 business days (The period restarts if additional documents are uploaded before the response.) · selected-plan review response: 20 business days (Measured from delivery of the notice of plan review.) · response after corrected plans: 10 business days (Applies following receipt of corrections and continues until release.)

    “If your project is selected for a review, you will either receive a release or request for corrections to your plans within 20 business days”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational vehicle occupancy at a regulated Indiana campground campsite, rather than residential occupancy on an individually deeded lot or other land outside the rule's campground definition.

    • A campground is an area where campsites are leased or rented and provisions are made for ten or more tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes.
    • The campground must be established, operated, and maintained for recreational, health, education, sectarian, business, or tourist activities away from established residences.
    • The rule excludes primitive campgrounds, youth camps, and tracts of land divided into individually deeded lots.
    • No more than one recreational vehicle or one vacation mobile home may be allowed on a designated campsite at the same time.
    • Campground construction, additions, or significant construction changes require plans submitted at least ninety days before construction for department review and approval; the plans must be certified by a registered engineer or architect licensed in Indiana.
    • The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization for long-term residential RV occupancy outside regulated campgrounds.

    minimum campground provisions: >= 10 tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes · maximum recreational vehicles per designated campsite: 1 vehicle (one vacation mobile home may be used instead) · advance plan-submission period: >= 90 days (the department may waive plan review for a minor alteration)

    “No more than one (1) recreational vehicle or one (1) vacation mobile home”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from Decatur County building or zoning requirements.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage requirements in Decatur County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy in Decatur County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping in Decatur County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Decatur County.
3 more unanswered
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Short-term rentals

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Living off-grid in Decatur County, Indiana

Is Decatur County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Decatur County scores 60/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: about 63,391 people within a 30-minute drive and more administrative friction around building and land use.

Do you need a building permit in Decatur County, Indiana?

Decatur County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Decatur County Health Department (Environmental Health), under Indiana Department of Health. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Decatur County, Indiana?

Land in Decatur County runs about $9,415 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Decatur County?

Decatur County gets about 46.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3% of years.

How remote is Decatur County?

A representative private-land location has about 63,391 people within a 30-minute drive and 7,114,763 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Decatur County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Decatur compares in Indiana

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