Bolthole Index

Henry County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic in Town of Shirley, Indiana

Town of Shirley, Indiana uses county zoning: Hancock County rules govern the Hancock portion, and Henry County rules govern the Henry portion.1 Hancock County Planning & Building lists Shirley within its jurisdiction and issues building permits; confirm the responsible building office for a Henry County address before applying.2 Private sewage construction needs Town Council permission, with Henry County Health Department handling septic permits on the Henry County side.34

At a glance

Building office
Hancock County lists Shirley in its jurisdiction; confirm coverage for a Henry County parcel25
Zoning
Applicable county ordinance: Hancock or Henry, depending on parcel location1
Private sewage approval
Town Council permission before construction, plus applicable county health requirements6
Public sewer connection
Written Utility Office permit; $200 permit and inspection fee at application7
Minimum living space
150 square feet for the first occupant; 100 additional square feet per additional occupant8
RV and tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the applicable county zoning office about the proposed residential use1

Who to call

Building permits

Hancock County Planning & Building

Building permits and inspections; planning enquiries at 317-477-1134. The department lists Shirley within its jurisdiction; confirm coverage for a Henry County parcel.

317-477-1133

Also useful

Shirley Utility Office and Town Council

Town sewer connection applications and enquiries about Town Council permission for private sewage systems

(765) 738-6561

Septic permits

Henry County Health Department — Septic Systems

Septic permit process and inspections for the Henry County portion of Shirley

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 Town of Shirley means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Does Town of Shirley have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Town of Shirley zoning follows the county boundary: the Hancock County Zoning Ordinance governs land in Hancock County, while the Henry County Zoning Ordinance governs land in Henry County.1 Shirley subdivision regulations use the same county-based division of authority.9 Before buying, ask the applicable county zoning office to identify the parcel’s district and provide the lot-size, setback, height and coverage requirements for your proposed home. We could not confirm those dimensional requirements for a specific Shirley district. Do not budget a project around a countywide minimum lot size without a parcel-specific answer.

Do you need a building permit in Town of Shirley, and who issues it?

Hancock County Planning & Building lists Shirley within its jurisdiction and says its Building Department issues building permits and performs required inspections.2 Shirley’s code authorizes Hancock County’s Building Inspector to enforce the Hancock County Building Code; the verified provision covers the Hancock County portion.5 Start with Hancock County Planning & Building for a Hancock-side project, and ask the Shirley Utility Office to resolve building-office responsibility for a Henry-side address before filing.210 We could not confirm the exact residential work requiring a building permit, building-permit fees, an owner-builder exemption or certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Shirley. Ask the responsible building office for those answers in writing.

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Town of Shirley?

Where public sewer is unavailable in Shirley, the building sewer must connect to a compliant private sewage disposal system.11 Before private-system construction, notify the Board through the Superintendent and obtain Town Council permission; state health recommendations and applicable county regulations also govern the system.6 On the Henry County side, Henry County Health Department requires soil testing and an application, followed by a contractor’s plan, on-site evaluation, septic permit and final inspection.12 Henry County’s new-construction septic permit fee is $225.13 A Shirley public-sewer connection instead needs a written Utility Office permit, with a $200 permit and inspection fee paid at application.7 These are separate approvals: ask the Utility Office about sewer availability before paying for a septic design.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Town of Shirley?

We could not confirm whether Shirley allows residential RV occupancy, temporary camping while building, tiny homes, manufactured homes or accessory dwellings on a particular parcel. Ask the county zoning office applicable to the parcel about the proposed use before buying or moving a dwelling onto the site; Shirley assigns zoning by county location.1 Shirley does specify minimum habitable floor space: at least 150 square feet for the first occupant and 100 additional square feet for each additional occupant.8 That living-space provision does not establish permission for a tiny home or RV; obtain a separate zoning answer for the intended dwelling type and occupancy.

Building a home in Town of Shirley: what steps come first?

Start by identifying the parcel’s county and asking the applicable zoning office about the proposed dwelling and any subdivision; Shirley uses each county’s ordinances for those matters.19 Next, resolve the building-permit application and inspection requirements with Hancock County Planning & Building, confirming responsibility if the address is on the Henry County side.2 Then ask the Shirley Utility Office about sewer service and the town’s written sewer-connection permit.7 If private sewage disposal is needed, obtain Town Council permission before construction and arrange the county health approvals; Henry County Health Department publishes a soil-test-to-final-inspection process.612 For public-sewer work, notify the Inspector when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection, which must occur under inspection supervision.14

What stays with Henry County, and what should Shirley buyers check?

Henry County Health Department handles on-site sewage permitting, inspection and approval for Shirley parcels in Henry County, alongside the town’s private-system permission.46 Henry County’s soil data rates 0% of soils “not limited” for conventional septic drain fields; that county-level screening does not make septic impossible, but makes a parcel-specific site evaluation essential.15 Shirley requires a private system to be abandoned and the building sewer connected within 90 days after public sewer becomes available.16 Ask the Utility Office about planned sewer extensions, and request the responsible offices for private wells, driveway access and floodplain development, whose Shirley requirements we could not confirm. For land outside town limits, use the Henry County guide to orient your septic enquiries.4

Watch-outs

  • Shirley zoning depends on the parcel’s county; a Henry County zoning answer does not settle a Hancock County parcel’s rules.1
  • Town Council permission for private sewage construction is an additional step alongside applicable county health requirements.6
  • Shirley requires connection within 90 days when public sewer becomes available, followed by cleaning and filling the private sewage system.16
  • We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption or residential RV approval in Shirley; ask the building office and the applicable county zoning office before committing to either plan.21

Sources

  1. Shirley Code, Chapter 152: Zoning Regulations (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  2. Hancock County Planning & Building (hancockin.gov)
  3. Shirley Code § 52.05 Private Treatment or Disposal of Wastewater (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  4. Henry County: Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Shirley Code § 150.01 Building Code (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  6. Shirley Code § 52.05 Private Treatment or Disposal of Wastewater (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  7. Shirley Code § 52.06 Sewer Connection Permits (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  8. Shirley Code § 150.62 Minimum Living Space (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  9. Shirley Code, Chapter 151: Subdivision Regulations (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  10. Shirley Utility Office and Town Council (townofshirley.com)
  11. Shirley Code § 52.05 Private Treatment or Disposal of Wastewater (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  12. Henry County: Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  13. Henry County: Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  14. Shirley Code § 52.06 Sewer Connection Permits (Town of Shirley), quoted and re-checked
  15. 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
  16. Shirley Code § 52.05 Private Treatment or Disposal of Wastewater (Town of Shirley), 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 Town of Shirley

Town of Shirley’s own rules

  • InspectionsLimited

    Building-sewer installation and connection inside Shirley town limits.

    • The applicant must notify the Inspector when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection.
    • The connection is made under the Inspector’s or representative’s supervision.
    • The town may require re-excavation if notice is not received within 24 hours.
    “The applicant for the building sewer permit shall notify the said Inspector when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection to the public sewer. The connection shall be made under the supervision of the said Inspector or his or her representative. The applicant shall notify the Inspector prior to working, installation and connection to the public sewer and the town may require re-excavation if notice is not received within 24 hours.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Land inside Shirley town limits; the applicable county ordinance governs according to whether the land is in Hancock or Henry County.

    • Hancock County portions are governed by the Hancock County Zoning Ordinance.
    • Henry County portions are governed by the Henry County Zoning Ordinance.
    “Editor’s Note: The applicable portions of the town located in Hancock County will be governed by the Hancock County Zoning Ordinance. The applicable portions of the town located in Henry County will be governed by the Henry County Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Habitable dwellings inside Shirley town limits.

    • The first occupant requires at least 150 square feet of floor space.
    • Each additional occupant requires 100 additional square feet.
    • Floor space is calculated in habitable rooms with a ceiling height greater than five feet.

    floor space for first occupant: >= 150 square feet · additional floor space: >= 100 square feet per additional occupant

    “There shall be at least 150 square feet of floor space provided in each habitable dwelling for the first occupation of the dwelling. An additional 100 square feet of floor space shall be provided for each additional occupant. Floor space is calculated in habitable rooms in which the ceiling height is more than five feet.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Shirley town limits where public sewer is unavailable.

    • The owner must notify the Board through the Superintendent and obtain Town Council permission before construction.
    • The system must comply with State Board of Health recommendations and applicable county regulations.
    • Additional requirements may be imposed by the County Health Officer.
    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first notify the Board through the Superintendent, and the owner shall further seek and obtain the Town Council’s permission prior to any construction.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Shirley town limits.

    • Owner must first notify the Board through the Superintendent.
    • Owner must obtain Town Council permission before construction.
    • The system must comply with State Board of Health recommendations and applicable county regulations.
    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first notify the Board through the Superintendent, and the owner shall further seek and obtain the Town Council’s permission prior to any construction.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal inside Shirley town limits where public sanitary or combined sewer is not available.

    • The building sewer must connect to a private sewage disposal system complying with the article.
    • Town Council permission is required before construction.
    • System type, capacity, location, and layout must comply with State Board of Health recommendations and applicable county regulations.
    “Where a public sanitary or combined sewer is not available under the provisions of § 52.04(I), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this article.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Property inside Shirley town limits served by a private sewage disposal system when public sewer becomes available.

    • A direct connection to public sewer is required when it becomes available.
    • Connection must occur within 90 days.
    • The private system must be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt.

    connection deadline after public sewer becomes available: 90 days

    “When a public sewer becomes available, the building sewer shall be connected to said sewer within 90 days and the private sewage disposal system shall be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Shirley town limits.

    • Hancock County portions are governed by the Hancock County Subdivision Ordinance.
    • Henry County portions are governed by the Henry County Subdivision Ordinance.
    “Editor’s Note: The applicable portions of the town located in Hancock County will be governed by the Hancock County Subdivision Ordinance. The applicable portions of the town located in Henry County will be governed by the Henry County Subdivision Ordinance.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Public-sewer connections inside Shirley town limits.

    • Written permit from the Utility Office is required before connection or disturbance of public sewer.
    • Residential and commercial/industrial building-sewer permit classes exist.
    • Owner or agent applies on a town-provided form and must supply information the Inspector considers pertinent.

    permit and inspection fee at application: 200 USD (A $150 refund is issued after successful inspection; industrial-building fees are determined by the Town Council at installation.)

    “There shall be two classes of building sewer permits: One for residential service, and another for commercial and industrial service. In either case, the owner or his agent shall make application on a special form furnished by the said town. The permit application shall be supplemented by any plans, specifications or other information considered pertinent in the judgment of the Inspector. A permit and inspection fee of $200 shall be paid to the town at the time the application is filed.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Shirley

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

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    The portion of Shirley town in Hancock County.

    • The Shirley code authorizes the Hancock County Building Inspector to enforce the Hancock County Building Code within the town.
    • The source does not establish the building-code administrator for the Henry County portion.
    “The Hancock County Building Inspector is authorized to enforce the Hancock County Building Code within the town.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Shirley or Henry County directly.

  • Building permit — New residential construction inside Shirley town limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residences inside Shirley town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Shirley town limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Shirley town limits.
  • Setbacks — Structures inside Shirley town limits.
13 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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 Town of Shirley publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Henry County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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