Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Driftwood Township, Indiana

Rules another office applies inside Driftwood Township

Driftwood 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 construction and alterations in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township, issued by the Jackson County building commissioner

  • The building commissioner issues the permit only after a complete application and any applicable fee, and only if the construction conforms to building and fire safety laws and other ordinances.
  • Permit fee amount was not found in the ordinance text reviewed.

  “section 7. issuance of building permit. the building commissioner shall issue a building permit to a person after the person has submitted a complete application, including any applicable fee, provided that the proposed construction will conform to all applicable building and fire safety laws”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Adopted by Jackson County Ordinance No. 6 (Commissioners Bill No. 5, 2018) as the building code of Jackson County.
  • Section 4 says the ordinance does not apply to industrialized building systems or mobile structures certified under IC 22-15-4, but the building rules and fire prevention and building safety commission rules still apply to construction related to uncertified ones.
  • The geographic scope clause of the building code was not separately verified. The zoning ordinance's jurisdiction clause is the basis for the unincorporated-land application.

  “section 4. scope. 1. all construction shall be accomplished in compliance with the provisions of this building ordinance.”

• InspectionsRequired

  All construction in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Inspections apply whether or not a building permit was required.

  “all construction shall be subject to periodic inspections by the building commissioner irrespective of whether a building permit has been or is required to be obtained.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy of any structure in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • A full, partial or temporary certificate of occupancy is required before occupancy.
  • No certificate of occupancy issues unless the structure was built in compliance with the building ordinance.
  • Placard requirements in the building code also apply before a certificate of occupancy issues.

  “it shall be unlawful to occupy any structure unless a full, partial, or temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued by the building commissioner.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Driftwood township, Jackson County, Indiana. This is the Jackson County zoning ordinance, not a Driftwood township ordinance.

  • The ordinance excludes the incorporated boundaries of Seymour, Brownstown, Medora and Crothersville and Seymour's extraterritorial planning jurisdiction. Whether any part of Driftwood township falls in those excluded areas was not verified.

  “an ordinance establishing comprehensive zoning regulations for unincorporated jackson county, indiana, providing for the administration, regulation, and violation thereof, and the repeal of all prior conflicting ordinances.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts for unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Districts are agricultural (AG), forest and recreational (FR), residential 1 (R-1), residential 2 (R-2), lake residential (LR), business (GB), and industrial (I). The official zoning map shows the district for each parcel; the map itself was not opened.

  “an updated official zoning map is adopted as a part of this ordinance. the zoning map shows the designated zoning district in reference to each parcel of land within the jurisdiction of unincorporated jackson county.”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Agricultural district lot in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • All lots also need approval of two approved septic sites or one repairable system by the county health department.
  • Non-conforming lots of record may get a building permit if smaller, with a dated deed and septic approval.
  • Divisions of land must comply with the Jackson County subdivision control ordinance.

  minimum lot area: >= 43560 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

  “lot area & width requirements district minimum lot area minimum lot width agricultural 1 acre (43,560 square feet) 150.00’ feet * note: all lots shall also require approval of two (2) approved septic sites or one (1) repairable system by the jackson county health department.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Residential 1 district structures in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Road and front setbacks are measured from the centerline of county and state roads.
  • Accessory structures follow chapter 10 setbacks.
  • Corner lots must meet setbacks from both road frontages.
  • Alley setback is 10 ft.
  • In platted areas the building commissioner may approve an average-setback dimension, but not encroaching on road right-of-way.

  front setback from county road centerline: >= 60 feet · front setback from state road centerline: >= 90 feet · adjoining property line setback: >= 10 feet

  “e) road setbacks: the road or front yard setback shall be measured from the centerline of county & state roads.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Agricultural district structures in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

    “c) county regulated drains: a minimum setback of 75.00' (top of bank) shall be maintained from the top of adjacent bank of a county regulated drain.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Agricultural district structures in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Taller structures need a variance.
  • An agricultural structure may be erected or changed to any height necessary for its operation, no greater than 75 ft.

  maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (agricultural structures up to 75 ft for operation; variance required above the limit)

  “*note: an agricultural structure may be erected or changed to any height necessary for its operation, no greater than seventy-five (75') feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — Residential districts (Residential 1, Residential 2, Lake Residential) in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

    “maximum height requirements agricultural & forest & recreational districts 35.00’ residential districts 35.00’ business districts 45.00’ industrial districts 75.00’”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Recreational vehicle use on private land in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Recreational vehicles may not be used for residential purposes.
  • Outside a recreational vehicle park, an RV may be on a lot for a maximum of 30 days, and septic must be discharged to an approved tank.
  • A plan director permit can allow temporary occupancy of a mobile home or RV for up to one year when the conditions are met, including connection to the same water and sewage facilities as the existing or planned residence.

  maximum stay outside RV park: <= 30 days · temporary occupancy permit term: <= 1 year (requires conditions in the ordinance, including not placed on a permanent foundation)

  “b) recreational vehicles may not be used for residential purposes and may only be located on a lot outside of a recreational vehicle park for a maximum of thirty (30) days, and septic must be discharged into approved tank.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Temporary camping with a recreational vehicle on private land in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Outside a recreational vehicle park, an RV may be on a lot for a maximum of 30 days.
  • Longer temporary occupancy requires a plan director permit for up to one year with conditions. No tent camping rule was found.

  maximum stay outside RV park: <= 30 days

  “b) recreational vehicles may not be used for residential purposes and may only be located on a lot outside of a recreational vehicle park for a maximum of thirty (30) days, and septic must be discharged into approved tank.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile home placement on private land in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Before a building permit, the applicant must obtain a mobile home transfer permit (state form 7878) from the Jackson County treasurer's office and an on-site sewage permit from the county health department.
  • Placement districts and the full mobile home rules were not verified.
  • Mobile homes may be removed by the county if they are abandoned or a notice to abate is not complied with, with a 25% administrative fee added.

  “e) prior to being issued a building permit, the applicant must obtain: 1. a mobile home transfer permit (state form 7878) from the jackson county treasurer’s office. 2. an on-site sewage permit from the jackson county health department.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-site sewage (septic) approval for lots in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township, administered by the Jackson County Health Department

  • Each lot needs approval of two approved septic sites or one repairable system before it can be used as a building lot.
  • Mobile home placement needs an on-site sewage permit from the Jackson County Health Department before the building permit is issued.
  • The legal form of the Jackson County Health Department was not verified; Indiana state rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 was not opened.

  “* note: all lots shall also require approval of two (2) approved septic sites or one (1) repairable system by the jackson county health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New lots and mobile home placement in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Approval of two approved septic sites or one repairable system is required for every lot.
  • An on-site sewage permit from the county health department is required before a building permit for a mobile home.

  “e) prior to being issued a building permit, the applicant must obtain: 1. a mobile home transfer permit (state form 7878) from the jackson county treasurer’s office. 2. an on-site sewage permit from the jackson county health department.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Divisions of land in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township

  • Divisions must follow the Jackson County subdivision control ordinance, which was not opened.
  • New lots must meet the minimum area and width requirements of the zoning district.
  • Residential building lots need 50 ft deeded access.

  “b) subdivision of land: all divisions to land shall be subject to the requirements set forth in the jackson county subdivision control ordinance.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Road access for new residential building lots in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township. This is deeded lot access, not a driveway permit.

  • Corner residential lots may have only one drive access from one road.
  • Driveway permit from the county highway department or state was not located.

  deeded access width: >= 50 feet

  “c) access: 50.00' deeded access is required on all residential building lots.”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township, administered by the county building commissioner

  • The building commissioner issues the permit after a complete application and any applicable fee.
  • Within 10 business days after issuing a permit, the commissioner notifies the local fire department and the 911 call center.
  • A placard requirement applies before a final inspection approval or certificate of occupancy; placard fee not to exceed $500.

  fire and 911 notification after permit: <= 10 business days

  “not later than ten (10) business days after issuing a building permit, the building commissioner shall send written notification to the local fire department and the 911 telephone call center”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a single-family home in unincorporated Jackson County, including land inside Driftwood township
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits for structures in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township
• Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy on private land in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township
• Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling unit on a residential lot in unincorporated Jackson County, including unincorporated land inside Driftwood township
• Septic inspection — Septic system inspection for a new home in unincorporated Jackson County, including land inside Driftwood township

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.