Bolthole Index

Floyd County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic in Greenville Township, Indiana

Greenville Township, Indiana requires building permits for new homes, additions, renovations and accessory structures through Floyd County Building & Development Services.1 In Floyd County, county zoning governs unincorporated township land and excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville; town planning and building applications go through the Floyd County Plan Commission with the Greenville Town Council.23 Septic permits throughout Greenville Township come from the Floyd County Health Department.4

At a glance

Building permits
Required for new homes, additions, renovations and accessory structures; Floyd County issues them.1
Zoning
County ordinance on unincorporated township land; separate Greenville town ordinance inside incorporated limits.23
Septic permits
Floyd County Health Department issues septic permits and conducts inspections.4
RV living
Living, sleeping or housekeeping in a parked or stored RV is prohibited on unincorporated township land.5
Minimum home size
RR district: minimum ground-floor area of 950 square feet on unincorporated township land.6
Minimum lot size
Unincorporated AR district: 2 acres; RR district: 37,000 square feet.78
Water
New primary residences in unincorporated AR and RR districts must connect to public water.9

Who to call

Building permits

Floyd County Department of Building & Development Services

Building permits, plan review and inspections

(812) 981-7611

Pine View Government Center 2524 Corydon Pike, Suite 203 New Albany, IN 47150

Zoning

Floyd County Plan Commission

Zoning administration, development review, appeals and variances

(812) 981-7611

[email protected]

Pine View Government Center 2524 Corydon Pike, Suite 203 New Albany, IN 47150

Zoning

Town of Greenville — Planning and Zoning

Town zoning and building applications coordinated with the Floyd County Plan Commission; town ordinance applies inside incorporated limits.

(812) 923-9821

9706 Clark Street Greenville, IN 47124

Septic permits

Floyd County Health Department

Septic permits, inspections and site approvals throughout Greenville Township.

812-948-4726

[email protected]

1917 Bono Road New Albany, IN 47150

Roads & driveways

Floyd County Highway & Public Works

County-road access questions and road maintenance.

812-923-3041

[email protected]

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Do you need a building permit in Greenville Township, IN?

Greenville Township requires a building permit for a new single-family dwelling, addition, renovation or rehabilitation, and accessory structures such as garages and pools.1 Residential construction is subject to the 2020 Indiana Residential Code.10 A new dwelling application needs Health Department approval or a sewer tap-in receipt, and a new single-family home needs a site plan prepared by an Indiana-licensed surveyor or engineer.1

The published dwelling building-permit fee is $200 plus $0.15 per square foot of floor area; inspections cost $50 each and residential re-inspections cost $75.11 Starting construction before the building permit is issued incurs twice the permit amount.11 Ask Building & Development Services about any proposed owner-builder exemption; we could not confirm one.

Who handles building permits and zoning in Greenville Township?

For Greenville Township building permits, contact Floyd County Building & Development Services at (812) 981-7611, at Pine View Government Center, 2524 Corydon Pike, Suite 203, New Albany, IN 47150.112 The Floyd County Plan Commission accepts project applications at [email protected] and encourages a pre-submission meeting.13

Inside the incorporated Town of Greenville, the town’s own planning page directs all building applications and questions to the Floyd County Plan Commission, working in conjunction with the Greenville Town Council.3 That shared counter does not make county zoning the town’s ordinance: the county ordinance excludes incorporated Greenville.2 Septic permitting remains with the Floyd County Health Department throughout Greenville Township.4

Does Greenville Township have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

County zoning applies to unincorporated Greenville Township, while incorporated Greenville is excluded from the county ordinance.2 Ask the Floyd County Plan Commission to identify the parcel’s district before choosing a house footprint.13

On unincorporated township land, Agricultural-Residential (AR) requires a minimum lot area of 2 acres; Rural Residential (RR) requires 37,000 square feet.78 In RR, front setbacks are 60 feet on arterial, collector or local streets and 40 feet on subdivision streets; side setbacks are 10 feet each, with a 20-foot primary-structure rear setback and a 10-foot accessory-structure rear setback.14 RR limits combined primary structures, accessory structures and impervious surfaces to 35% lot coverage.15 These district standards describe unincorporated township parcels, so ask the shared planning counter for the town ordinance when the property is inside incorporated Greenville.23

How do septic permits work in Greenville Township?

Floyd County Health Department issues septic permits and inspects onsite sewage systems and site approvals in Greenville Township.4 Contact the environmental-health office at 812-948-4726 or [email protected], at 1917 Bono Road, New Albany, IN 47150.16 Most septic repairs and replacements also need permits; the published repair fee is $75 and the replacement fee is $100.17

Floyd County’s soil rating shows 0% rated “not limited” for conventional septic drain fields; that countywide screening figure supports getting a site evaluation and considering an engineered system, rather than assuming septic is impossible on a particular lot.18 Indiana requires a compliant onsite sewage system where a dwelling is not connected, or cannot connect, to sanitary sewer; drywells and cesspools are prohibited.19 Ask the Health Department about site approval before placing an outbuilding, pool or underground utility near an existing septic system, and consult the office before adding bedrooms.16

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Greenville Township?

On unincorporated Greenville Township land, a parked or stored RV cannot be occupied or used for living, sleeping or housekeeping.5 Do not plan to use an RV as accommodation while building without resolving that prohibition with the Floyd County Plan Commission.513

In the unincorporated RR district, a dwelling must have at least 950 square feet of ground-floor area, so a smaller proposed primary home would not meet that district’s stated minimum.6 Residential construction also remains subject to Indiana’s residential code.10 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy rule or a camping-specific exception; ask the Plan Commission about the exact structure and proposed use. Inside incorporated Greenville, ask the same counter to apply the town ordinance rather than these county RV and RR standards.23

Building a home in Greenville Township: what should you do first?

  1. Establish whether the parcel is unincorporated township land or inside incorporated Greenville, then ask the Floyd County Plan Commission which ordinance and district apply.23
  2. Resolve water and wastewater before finalizing the design: new primary residences in unincorporated AR and RR must connect to public water, while those districts allow septic or sanitary sewer.9
  3. Assemble Health Department approval or a sewer tap-in receipt, the detailed site plan, deed or purchase contract, and building plans; new single-family dwellings require a surveyor- or engineer-prepared site plan.20
  4. Submit the building-permit application by email or in person, and obtain the building permit before starting construction.2011

For land outside the township, see the Floyd County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area zoning jurisdiction.2

What should you check before buying land in Greenville Township?

For a proposed private well in Greenville Township, ask Floyd County Health Department about local requirements: Indiana’s well guidance says some local health departments require construction or pump permits, without identifying which departments, and well drillers must be licensed by Indiana DNR.21 A well proposal does not replace the public-water connection requirement for new primary residences in unincorporated AR and RR.9

Ask the planning counter to identify the Floodplain Administrator and confirm local floodplain approval for the parcel; we could not confirm a complete township-specific determination. Indiana DNR has jurisdiction over most floodway development, while floodplain-fringe projects can still need local approval despite having no state fringe permit.2223 For county-road access questions, contact Floyd County Highway & Public Works at 812-923-3041; the department maintains county roads.24 Driveway connections to Indiana state highways require permission through INDOT’s Electronic Permit System.25

Watch-outs

  • County RV restrictions and the AR/RR district figures apply to unincorporated Greenville Township; incorporated Greenville uses a separate ordinance through the shared planning counter.23
  • Public water is required for new primary residential construction in unincorporated AR and RR even where septic is allowed.9
  • We could not confirm owner-builder exemptions, accessory-dwelling occupancy or a township-wide short-term-rental rule; ask the Floyd County Plan Commission before relying on those uses.13

Sources

  1. Floyd County Building Permit Processes (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Town of Greenville — Planning and Zoning (visitgreenvillein.com)
  4. Floyd County Health Department: Septic Systems (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Floyd County Building Fees (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Floyd County Department of Building & Development Services (in.gov)
  13. Floyd County Plan Commission (in.gov)
  14. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Floyd County Zoning Ordinance (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Floyd County Health Department (in.gov)
  17. Floyd County Health Department: Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  18. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  19. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Floyd County Building Permit Processes (Greenville Township), quoted and re-checked
  21. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Floyd County Highway & Public Works (in.gov)
  25. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Greenville Township

Rules another office applies inside Greenville Township

Greenville Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Building permitRequired

    New single-family dwellings, additions, renovations/rehabilitations, and accessory structures inside Greenville Township, with Floyd County Building and Development Services as the permit office.

    • Applications may be submitted online or in person.
    • New dwellings require Health Department approval or a sewer tap-in receipt.
    • New single-family dwellings require a site plan from an Indiana licensed surveyor or engineer.
    “To obtain a building permit in Floyd County for a new Single Family Dwelling, Addition, Renovation/Rehab, or Accessory Structure such as garages, pools, etc., please review the following list and submit the required information to the Department of Building and Development Services.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential construction inside Greenville Township subject to Indiana's statewide residential code.

    • The Indiana Department of Homeland Security page identifies the 2020 Indiana Residential Code as currently in effect.
    • The listed effective date is December 26, 2019.

    code: 2020 Indiana Residential Code (2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings) · effective date: 2019-12-26

    “675 IAC 14-4.4 | 2020 Indiana Residential Code | 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, First Printing | Currently in Effect Effective: 12/26/2019”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Unincorporated land inside Greenville Township; the county ordinance does not apply within the incorporated Town of Greenville.

    • The ordinance applies to Floyd County land except land within the planning jurisdiction of the incorporated Town of Greenville.
    • The incorporated Town of Greenville is separately handled by the Floyd County Plan Commission in conjunction with the Greenville Town Council.
    “This Ordinance shall apply to all land within the Floyd County, Indiana except that which lies within the planning jurisdiction of the City of New Albany, the incorporated towns of Georgetown and Greenville or which is owned by the State of Indiana or United States.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family residential development in the Floyd County Rural Residential (RR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • The ordinance states the minimum ground-floor area is 950 square feet.
    • The county zoning ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.

    minimum ground floor area: >= 950 square feet (Amended 5)

    “Minimum Ground Floor Area 950 Square feet (Amended 5)”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Development in the Floyd County Agricultural-Residential (AR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • The county zoning ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.

    minimum lot area: >= 87120 square feet (2 acres)

    “Minimum Lot Area 87,120 Square Feet ( 2 Acres)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Development in the Floyd County Rural Residential (RR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.
      “Minimum Lot Area 37,000 Square Feet Minimum Lot Width 100 Feet Minimum Lot Frontage 100 Feet Primary Maximum Structure Height 35 Feet”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Primary and accessory structures in the Floyd County Rural Residential (RR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • Front-yard setback is 60 feet on arterial, collector, or local streets and 40 feet on subdivision streets.
    • Side-yard setback is 10 feet each side.
    • Primary rear-yard setback is 20 feet and accessory rear-yard setback is 10 feet.
    • The county zoning ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.

    front-yard setback: 60 or 40 feet (60 feet on arterial, collector, or local street; 40 feet on subdivision street) · side-yard setback: >= 10 feet (each side) · primary rear-yard setback: >= 20 feet · accessory rear-yard setback: >= 10 feet

    “Primary and Accessory Structure Front Yard Setback 60 Feet – Arterial, Collector or Local Street 40 Feet – Subdivision Street Primary and Accessory Structure Side Yard(s) Setback 10 Feet each side Primary Structure Rear Yard Setback 20 Feet Accessory Structure Rear Yard Setback 10 Feet”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Primary structures, accessory structures, and impervious surface in the Floyd County Rural Residential (RR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • Combined square footage of primary structures, accessory structures, and impervious surface may not exceed 35 percent.
    • The county zoning ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent (Includes primary structures, accessory structures, and impervious surface)

    “Square footage of all primary structures, accessory structures and impervious surface shall not exceed: ) 35 Percent”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Primary and accessory structures in the Floyd County Agricultural-Residential (AR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • Primary structures are limited to 35 feet and accessory structures to 18 feet.
    • The county zoning ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.

    primary maximum height: <= 35 feet · accessory maximum height: <= 18 feet

    “Primary Structure Maximum Height Restriction 35 Feet Accessory Structure Maximum Height Restriction 18 Feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Primary and accessory structures in the Floyd County Rural Residential (RR) district inside unincorporated Greenville Township.
      “Primary Maximum Structure Height 35 Feet Accessory Maximum Structure Height 18 Feet”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Occupancy or use of a parked or stored recreational vehicle for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes in unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • The county ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.
    • The ordinance's recreational-vehicle rule is in the temporary use/structure standards.
    “At no time may anyone occupy a recreational vehicle or use a parked or stored recreational vehicle for living, sleeping or housekeeping purposes.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage systems inside Greenville Township; the Floyd County Health Department administers the onsite sewage program.

    • The program is governed by Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 and local ordinances.
    • The department issues permits and conducts inspections for residential and commercial onsite sewage systems and site approvals.
    “The Floyd County Health Department's Onsite Sewage System Program is governed by Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 and local ordinances. Our department issues permit and conducts inspections for:”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    New primary residential construction in Floyd County Agricultural-Residential (AR) and Rural Residential (RR) districts inside unincorporated Greenville Township.

    • AR and RR require connection to public water.
    • AR and RR may use either septic or sanitary sewer; public sewer connection is not required by these district standards.
    • The county zoning ordinance excludes the incorporated Town of Greenville.
    “Water Requires connection to public water Sanitary Sewer May use either septic or sanitary sewer system”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Floyd County building permits for projects inside Greenville Township.

    • Fee schedule is effective August 1, 2024.
    • Single-family or two-family dwelling fee is $200 base plus $0.15 per square foot of floor area.
    • Inspection fee is $50 per inspection; residential re-inspection is $75.
    • Starting construction before permit issuance incurs twice the permit amount.

    single-family/two-family dwelling base fee: 200 USD (plus $0.15 per square foot of floor area) · inspection fee: per 50 USD (per inspection) · residential re-inspection fee: 75 USD

    “Single Family or Two Family Dwelling (excluding garage, attic areas, etc.) - $200 base fee plus $.15 per square foot of floor area”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Residential building permit applications inside Greenville Township.

    • Applications may be submitted by email or in person.
    • Required attachments include Health Department approval or sewer tap-in receipt, detailed site plan, recorded deed or purchase contract, and building plans.
    • New single-family dwellings require a site plan from an Indiana licensed surveyor or engineer.
    “Applications are completed using a pdf document and can be submitted online or in person. Applications require the below listed attachments.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Greenville Township or Floyd County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Greenville Township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside unincorporated Greenville Township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Greenville Township.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside unincorporated Greenville Township.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling occupancy inside unincorporated Greenville Township.
6 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Greenville Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Floyd County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Floyd County: county rules, score and offices