Bolthole Index

Monroe County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Clear Creek Township, Indiana

A home project in Clear Creek Township, Monroe County, goes through the Monroe County Building Department for building-code review and inspections.1 County zoning applies outside the City of Bloomington and Town of Ellettsville, while the Monroe County Health Department handles on-site sewage permits.23

At a glance

Building permit
Required for residential construction and other covered Class 2 work through Monroe County4
Building inspections
Monroe County enforces adopted Indiana building codes throughout the county1
Zoning
Monroe County administers zoning outside Bloomington and Ellettsville2
Septic
Monroe County Health Department permit required for a new home septic system35
RV living
County-jurisdiction RV use is temporary; confirm the parcel and proposed setup with Planning62
Owner-builder
No explicit exemption confirmed; ask the Building Department before planning self-performed work7

Who to call

Building permits

Monroe County Building Department

Building permits, plan review and construction inspections throughout Monroe County under adopted Indiana building codes

(812) 349-2580

[email protected]

501 N Morton St, Suite 220, Bloomington, IN 47404

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Monroe County Planning Department

Zoning, subdivision review and Improvement Location Permits in the Monroe County planning jurisdiction

(812) 349-2560

[email protected]

501 N Morton St, Suite 224, Bloomington, IN 47404

Online permits →

Septic permits

Monroe County Health Department - Wastewater Section

On-site sewage permits for new construction, repair, renewal and commercial systems in Monroe County

(812) 349-2543

[email protected]

119 W 7th St, Bloomington, IN 47404

Online permits →

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Clear Creek Township, Indiana?

Residential construction and other covered Class 2 work in Clear Creek Township requires the Monroe County building-permit process.4 The Building Department inspects and enforces adopted Indiana building codes throughout Monroe County, rather than a separate township building office doing that work.1 Indiana's residential code covers one- and two-family dwellings, while the applicable code can differ for other structures.8

For a county-jurisdiction project, complete the Improvement Location Permit process before applying to the Building Department.9 Ask the Building Department to identify the permit category for a remodel, addition, accessory structure or agricultural building; the state agricultural classification does not by itself settle local zoning or inspection requirements.10

Who issues building permits in Clear Creek Township?

The Monroe County Building Department handles building-code inspection and enforcement throughout Monroe County and accepts applications through its online portal.11 The Monroe County Planning Department handles the planning step for Class 2 structures in the county process, and the Improvement Location Permit must be complete before the building-permit application.12

Start with Planning when the parcel is in the county zoning jurisdiction, because the zoning district and proposed use can shape what may be built.2 Then take the completed planning approval into the Building Department process.9 The published conventional new-construction building-permit fee is based on floor area and has a minimum charge, so obtain a project-specific calculation from the Building Department before budgeting.4

Does Clear Creek Township have zoning?

Clear Creek Township does not supply one township-wide answer for every parcel: Monroe County administers zoning and subdivision rules outside the City of Bloomington and Town of Ellettsville, while Bloomington parcels are outside the county ordinance's jurisdiction.2 The county ordinance uses distinct zoning districts with different development standards, so a township address alone does not establish allowed uses, setbacks, lot size or building height.13

Ask the Planning Department to confirm both the governing jurisdiction and zoning district from the parcel number before relying on a listing or planning a house, tiny home, accessory dwelling or manufactured home. We could not confirm a single township-wide minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size or setback; Planning should identify the current district table and any overlay that applies. Subdividing county-jurisdiction land also requires county review and approval before a plat may be recorded.14

How do septic permits work in Clear Creek Township?

The Monroe County Health Department administers on-site sewage permitting for land in Clear Creek Township.3 A new septic permit is required for new home construction, and the county also has repair, renewal or modification, and commercial permit categories.5 The Wastewater Section says applications involving a modified or additional septic field need a soil report.15

Treat septic feasibility as an early land-purchase question: only 22% of Monroe County soils are mapped without severe limitations for a conventional drain field.16 That county-level soil figure does not decide whether a particular site will pass. Submit the parcel-specific soil information to the Wastewater Section before fixing the house location, because the septic field and reserve area can affect the usable building envelope. Indiana sanitation rules generally require a compliant septic tank and soil absorption system where a dwelling cannot connect to sewer.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Clear Creek Township?

In the Monroe County zoning jurisdiction, a recreational vehicle is treated as temporary living quarters and should not remain on a property beyond 180 days except for storage; a non-permanent RV may not be permanently connected to utilities.6 That rule should not be applied to a parcel inside Bloomington, because the county zoning map excludes the city.2 Ask Planning how the county provision applies to the proposed duration, utility connections and zoning district before using an RV during construction.

We could not confirm a township-wide tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling size. A tiny home intended as a permanent dwelling still has to fit the parcel's governing zoning and the applicable Indiana residential building code.18 A final inspection is required before moving into a project covered by the county inspection schedule.19

Building a home in Clear Creek Township: what are the steps?

  1. Give the parcel number to the Monroe County Planning Department and confirm whether county or Bloomington zoning governs the site.2
  2. If county zoning applies, complete the residential pre-design and Improvement Location Permit process before applying for the building permit.9
  3. For an on-site sewage system, obtain the soil work and apply to the Monroe County Health Department for the new-home septic permit.5
  4. Apply to the Monroe County Building Department under the code and permit category that fits the project.4
  5. Schedule the required construction inspections and do not move in before the final inspection.19
  6. If access connects to an Indiana state highway, obtain permission from INDOT through its electronic permit system; another road authority handles roads outside INDOT jurisdiction.20
  7. Ask about floodway review before disturbing a mapped floodway, because the Indiana DNR regulates most floodway development.21

What should you check before buying land in Clear Creek Township?

First verify the parcel's zoning authority and district with Monroe County Planning, because Bloomington parcels do not use the county zoning map.2 Then confirm that the proposed home, RV use, accessory dwelling, setbacks and lot dimensions fit that district; we could not confirm one rule that covers every Clear Creek Township parcel.

For land without sewer, obtain a site-specific septic evaluation before choosing the building pad; Monroe County's broad soil mapping shows conventional drain-field limitations across much of the county.16 Ask the Health Department whether a private well permit or public utility connection applies, because we could not confirm the township-specific water rule. Check legal access and identify the road authority before designing a driveway; a state-highway connection needs INDOT permission.20 Finally, check mapped flood hazards, because most development in an Indiana floodway falls under DNR jurisdiction.21

Watch-outs

  • A Clear Creek Township address does not by itself identify the zoning authority; Monroe County's zoning jurisdiction excludes the City of Bloomington and Town of Ellettsville.2
  • The county-jurisdiction RV rule limits non-storage placement and permanent utility connections, but Bloomington parcels require a separate city-rule check.62
  • Do not assume an owner-builder exemption applies; ask the Monroe County Building Department what licensing, permit and inspection requirements apply to self-performed work.7

Sources

  1. Building Department / Monroe County, IN (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Monroe County Development Ordinance (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Monroe County: Site Sewage Disposal Systems (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Monroe County: Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. Monroe County: Site Sewage Disposal Systems (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Adopted Monroe County Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. DHS: Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Monroe County: Planning Department (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Plan Review FAQs (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Monroe County Building Department (in.gov)
  12. Monroe County Planning Department (secure.in.gov)
  13. Monroe County CDO (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Monroe County Subdivision Control Ordinance (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Monroe County Health Department - Wastewater Section (in.gov)
  16. 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
  17. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Inspection Schedule (Clear Creek Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 9, 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 Clear Creek Township

Clear Creek Township’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Zoning for land inside Clear Creek township that is outside the City of Bloomington and Town of Ellettsville is administered under Monroe County's County Development Ordinance; this is not a Clear Creek township-administered zoning ordinance.

    • The County Development Ordinance was adopted and became effective December 18, 2024.
    • The CDO zoning map covers the County jurisdiction excepting the Town of Ellettsville and City of Bloomington.
    • The Monroe County Planning Office administers zoning and subdivision requirements outside the Town of Ellettsville and City of Bloomington.
    • Any parcel inside Clear Creek township that lies within the City of Bloomington is subject to the city's zoning jurisdiction instead.

    effective date: 2024-12-18

    “The Monroe County Planning Office administers the zoning and subdivision requirements for areas outside of the Town of Ellettsville and the City of Bloomington.”

Rules another office applies inside Clear Creek Township

Clear Creek 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 code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Residential construction inside Clear Creek Township under Indiana's statewide residential building-code regime.

    • The official state page identifies the 2020 Indiana Residential Code as currently in effect.
    • Local permits may still be required.

    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”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Adopted Indiana Building Codes enforced by the Monroe County Building Department inside Clear Creek Township.
      “The Monroe County Building Department is an office responsible for the inspection and enforcement of adopted Indiana Building Codes throughout Monroe County.”
    • Adopted — Indiana building regulation, including land inside Clear Creek Township.
      “675 IAC 14-4.4 | 2020 Indiana Residential Code [...] Currently in Effect Effective: 12/26/2019”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building construction inside Clear Creek township subject to Monroe County Building Department permits.

    • Inspections include footing, foundation, underslab, rough-in, fireblocking, final, and other inspections as required.
    • Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance with the permit number.
    • Final inspection is required before moving in or occupying.
    “6) FINAL INSPECTION: Required once the project is complete and before moving in or occupying. All electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems and all additional elements, including grading and landscaping will be inspected.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Building-code inspection and enforcement for buildings inside Clear Creek township are performed by the Monroe County Building Department under adopted Indiana Building Codes.
      “The Monroe County Building Department is an office responsible for the inspection and enforcement of adopted Indiana Building Codes throughout Monroe County.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Structures inside Clear Creek township covered by the Monroe County Building Department inspection process.

    • The certificate is processed after successful final inspection.
    • Use before receiving the certificate is stated to be a violation of law.
    “After the successful completion of the Final Inspection by the building department and other governmental agencies, a “Certificate of Occupancy” will be processed and issued. Failure to pass the required inspections will result in the Certificate of Occupancy being denied. Use of a structure before receiving this document is a violation of the law.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    County-governed portions of Clear Creek Township; City of Bloomington parcels are excluded from the County CDO jurisdiction.

    • The County CDO page states that its zoning map excludes the City of Bloomington.
    • Parcel-level identification of the City-versus-County boundary was not completed.
    • The County publishes 41 distinct zoning districts with different development standards.
    “The “CDO” is the County Development Ordinance. This document was adopted and became effective on December 18, 2024. This document encompasses a re-write of our current Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinances. This update also includes a zoning map update to the entire County jurisdiction (excepting Town of Ellettsville and City of Bloomington).”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage permitting for land inside Clear Creek Township is administered through the Monroe County Health Department.

    • The official wastewater pages identify the program and fees as Monroe County services.
    “Types of Septic Permits Issued by Monroe County Health Department:”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New home construction using an on-site sewage system inside Clear Creek Township.

    • A new septic permit is required for new home construction.
    • The page also lists repair, renewal/modification, and commercial permit categories.

    new septic permit fee: 250 USD (Fees are subject to change.) · permit validity: 2 years (From date of issuance.)

    “New Septic Permit - required for new home construction”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and resubdivision of land inside Clear Creek township within the Monroe County jurisdictional area are regulated by the Monroe County Plan Commission under the Monroe County Subdivision Control Ordinance.

    • The ordinance authorizes the Monroe County Plan Commission to grant or revoke permits and approve or disapprove subdivision plats throughout the County Jurisdictional Area.
    • Land may not be subdivided until adequate access to necessary public facilities and improvements is demonstrated and provisions are made for drainage, water, sewerage, and other necessary public improvements.
    • Private wells and sewage disposal systems may be used instead of public systems only if otherwise permitted by the Monroe County Code and approved by the State and/or County Health Department.
    • A parcel may not be transferred or sold before the subdivision plat is approved and filed with the County Recorder.
    • Division of land creating one or more new building sites is not permitted unless completed as prescribed by the ordinance.
    • No required Improvement Location Permit, Land Use Certificate, or Building Permit may be issued until the ordinance has been complied with.
    “review and approve or disapprove plats for the subdivision of land throughout the County Jurisdictional Area.”
  • Permit processPartial

    County planning and building permit processes applicable to unincorporated portions of Clear Creek Township.

    • The Planning Department states that permit and planning processes may be applied for online.
    • Beginning January 1, 2026, Improvement Location Permits related to Class 2 structures must be processed before applying at the Monroe County Building Department.

    ILP process change effective date: 2026-01-01

    “the ILP process for all permits related to Class 2 structures must be complete before an applicant can apply at the Monroe County Building Department.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Building permit — Residential building permits inside Clear Creek township.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Clear Creek township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Clear Creek township.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Clear Creek township.
  • Setbacks — Setbacks inside Clear Creek township.
16 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Clear Creek Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Monroe County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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