Bolthole Index

Monroe County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Washington Township, Indiana

Residential construction in Washington Township, Monroe County, requires a building permit through the Monroe County Building Department.1 On unincorporated land, the Monroe County Planning Department administers zoning and completes the Improvement Location Permit process before the building application.23 The Monroe County Health Department handles septic permits.4

At a glance

Building permit
Required for residential construction and other covered structures1
Zoning
Monroe County zoning applies to unincorporated Washington Township2
Approval order
Complete the Improvement Location Permit process before applying for the building permit3
Septic permit
Monroe County Health Department requires one for a new home with onsite sewage5
RV living
County rules treat an RV as temporary living quarters and limit non-storage placement6
Owner-installed trades
Conditionally allowed for homeowner electrical or plumbing work with a signed form and inspections7
Lot size
Varies by the parcel's county zoning district8

Who to call

Building permits

Monroe County Building Department

Building-permit applications, code enforcement and construction inspections throughout Monroe County

(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 for unincorporated Washington Township

(812) 349-2560

[email protected]

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

Online permits →

Septic permits

Monroe County Health Department - Wastewater Section

Septic permits for new construction, repairs, replacements, modifications 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 Washington 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 Washington Township, Indiana?

Residential construction and other covered structures in Washington Township require a Monroe County building permit.1 The Monroe County Building Department enforces the adopted Indiana building codes throughout Monroe County and accepts applications through OpenGov.9 Indiana currently applies its state residential code to covered one- and two-family construction.10 For permitted work, county inspections can include footing, foundation, underslab, rough-in, fireblocking and final inspections.11 A final inspection is required before moving in or occupying the completed project.12

Who handles building and zoning in Washington Township?

The Monroe County Planning Department administers zoning on unincorporated land in Washington Township under the Monroe County Development Ordinance.2 The Planning Department handles the Improvement Location Permit process, while the Building Department handles the later building-permit application, code enforcement and construction inspections.39 Contact Planning first to identify the parcel's zoning district and the approvals that apply to the proposed structure.13 Contact Building for the construction application and inspection sequence.9 This division matters because zoning approval addresses location and land use, while the building permit addresses code-compliant construction.1415

How does Washington Township zoning affect lot size, RVs and tiny homes?

Monroe County zoning districts and their dimensional standards apply to unincorporated Washington Township.14 Minimum lot size depends on the parcel's district, ranging from five acres in a Forest Reserve zone to less than one acre in some residential zones.8 In the RES district, maximum impervious cover for a single-family development is half the lot or 7,000 square feet, whichever is less, excluding agricultural buildings and subject to stricter critical-watershed standards.16 County rules define an RV as temporary living quarters and say a non-permanent RV should not remain on a property longer than 180 days except for storage.6 A separate tiny-home occupancy rule and a general minimum dwelling size could not be confirmed; ask Planning about the proposed unit and mapped district.13

How do septic permits work in Washington Township?

The Monroe County Health Department Wastewater Section administers onsite sewage systems inside Washington Township.4 A new home using onsite sewage needs a new septic permit, while repair, replacement and permit-modification work use their corresponding applications.5 The application process includes an OpenGov submission, the fee, a soil report when the septic field is added or modified, staff review and permit issuance.5 Only about 22% of Monroe County soils avoid a severe limitation for a conventional drain field, so obtain the soil analysis before fixing the house and driveway layout.17 Indiana requires a compliant septic tank and soil-absorption system where a dwelling lacks a sanitary-sewer connection.18

Can an owner-builder do the work in Washington Township?

A homeowner may conditionally perform electrical or plumbing work on a permitted Washington Township project after completing the county's Homeowner Sign Off before the rough-in inspection.7 The work must be done by the homeowner, a relative or other unpaid volunteers; hiring an unlicensed contractor violates the stated conditions.7 County and Indiana code requirements and inspections still apply, so this is not an exemption from the building permit.7 If a licensed contractor is hired, the homeowner must notify the Building Department.7 Ask the Building Department which trade forms and inspections apply to the project before work begins.9

Building a home in Washington Township: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Monroe County Planning to confirm the parcel's zoning district, dwelling use, dimensional rules and floodplain status.1419
  1. Complete the county's residential pre-design and Improvement Location Permit process before applying to the Building Department.3
  1. If the home will use onsite sewage, submit the septic application and soil information to the Health Department.5
  1. Obtain the driveway permit from Monroe County or Indiana, depending on which government controls the road.20
  1. Apply for the building permit through OpenGov and follow the required inspection schedule.2111
  1. Complete the final inspection before moving into the home.12

What should you check before buying land in Washington Township?

Confirm the parcel's mapped zoning district with Monroe County Planning because lot size, setbacks, allowed uses and lot coverage depend on the district and site.816 Check for a Special Flood Hazard Area before designing; development touching one requires a county floodplain development permit before construction.19 Verify whether access meets county-road or state-highway driveway requirements.22 Order septic soil work early because only about 22% of Monroe County soils avoid severe conventional drain-field limitations.17 Private-well permitting could not be confirmed for Washington Township, so ask the Monroe County Health Department before scheduling a driller.23

Watch-outs

  • Complete the Improvement Location Permit process before submitting the building-permit application.3
  • Do not assume an RV can serve as a permanent residence; county rules characterize it as temporary living quarters and limit non-storage placement.6
  • A driveway permit from the road authority must accompany the building-permit application.20
  • Published residential building fees may be outdated because the county identifies a newer fee ordinance.24

Sources

  1. Monroe County: Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  2. Monroe County Development Ordinance (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Monroe County Planning Department (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Monroe County Environmental Health: Wastewater (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Monroe County: Site Sewage Disposal Systems, quoted and re-checked
  6. Adopted Monroe County Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  7. Monroe County Building Department Homeowner Sign Off (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. How many acres are required to create a buildable lot? (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. Monroe County Building Department (in.gov)
  10. DHS: Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Inspection Schedule (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Inspection Schedule — Monroe County Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  13. Monroe County Planning Department (in.gov)
  14. Monroe County Development Ordinance (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. Commissioners Packet / Ordinance 2014-17 (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. Monroe County Development Ordinance (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. 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
  18. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Monroe County Development Ordinance, Chapter 825 (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. Commissioners Packet / Ordinance 2014-17 amending Monroe County Building Code (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  21. Building Department, quoted and re-checked
  22. Monroe County Highway Permit Information (Washington Township), quoted and re-checked
  23. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Monroe County Residential Building Permit Fees (Washington Township), 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 Washington Township

Rules another office applies inside Washington Township

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

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Homeowner installation of electrical or plumbing work on a permitted project inside Washington Township.

    • The homeowner must complete the Homeowner Sign Off before scheduling a rough-in inspection.
    • The work must be performed by the homeowner, a relative, or other non-compensated volunteers.
    • Hiring an unlicensed contractor is identified as a violation; the homeowner must notify the Building Department if a licensed contractor is hired.
    • All applicable Indiana and Monroe County codes and inspections still apply.
    “I will not employ paid contractors for the above-mentioned work on this project. The work will be completed by myself, a relative or other non-compensated volunteers.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Unincorporated land inside Washington Township, Monroe County, Indiana.

    • This claim is scoped to unincorporated portions of Washington Township; incorporated municipalities may have separate authorities.
    • The county document center lists a later 2025 amendment to Monroe County Code Chapter 430, Building Code.
    “WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of the County of Monroe, Indiana ("Commissioners") established the Monroe County Building Code through the adoption of Monroe County Ordinance 88-3;”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted — Residential construction inside Washington Township under Indiana's statewide building-code system.
      “675 IAC 14-4.4 | 2020 Indiana Residential Code Free access (model code with incorporated amendments) | 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, First Printing | Currently in Effect Effective: 12/26/2019”
    • Adopted — Unincorporated portions of Washington Township are governed by the Monroe County Building Code, administered by the Monroe County Building Department.
      “established the Monroe County Building Code”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building work in unincorporated Washington Township.

    • Footing inspection is required before concrete placement.
    • Foundation inspection is required before framing or backfilling.
    • Underslab, rough-in, fireblocking, final, and other inspections may be required.
    • Inspections must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance and the permit number must be available.
    “1) FOOTING INSPECTION: Required before the placement of any concrete in footing trenches or forms. Steel reinforcement should be installed as well as grade stakes.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Unincorporated land inside Washington Township governed by Monroe County's Development Ordinance.

    • The ordinance applies within the County Jurisdictional Area; incorporated municipalities may have separate rules.
    “These regulations [...] shall apply to all land uses within the County Jurisdictional Area and to all zoning decisions made by the Monroe County Plan Commission and its committees, Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals, and Monroe County Planning Department Staff.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    County zoning districts and dimensional standards applicable to unincorporated Washington Township.

    • The CDO contains district-specific tables including RES, RNH, and other districts.
    • The prior official county zoning ordinance expressly identified a Zoning Map of Washington Township; the current CDO superseded prior zoning and subdivision ordinances except retained transition provisions.
    “These regulations (Monroe County Code Chapters 800 through 843) and all accompanying maps [...] shall be known and may be cited as the “Monroe County Development Ordinance” and are generally referred to herein as the ”CDO”, “Zoning Ordinance”, the “Development Ordinance”, the “Subdivision Control Ordinance””
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildable lots in unincorporated Washington Township; the applicable county zoning district controls.

    • The exact Washington Township zoning district and current dimensional schedule were not resolved in the opened sources.
    • The county states that requirements vary from five acres in a Forest Reserve zone to less than one acre in some residential zones.
    • A staff member is identified as the source for determining the required acreage for a particular lot.
    “The zoning district in which the lot is located will determine the required number acres. This will vary from five (5) acres in a Forest Reserve zone, to less than one (1) acre in some residential zones. A staff member will help you determine the required number of acres for your lot.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Single-family residential development in the RES district inside Washington Township.

    • Agricultural buildings are excluded from the cited impervious-cover limit.
    • The limit is 50% of lot size or 7,000 square feet, whichever is less.
    • Critical watershed standards may impose a lower limit.

    maximum impervious cover: 50% of lot size or 7,000 sq ft, whichever is less (excluding agricultural buildings)

    “Maximum Impervious Cover 50% of Lot Size or 7,000 sq ft, whichever is less2”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage systems inside Washington Township are administered by the Monroe County Health Department wastewater program.

    • State rules may also apply to particular systems, especially commercial systems.
    “Once a septic Site Plan has been finalized, a member of Wastewater Staff will complete the application step to issue a Septic Permit. This Septic Permit will be viewable and downloadable on OpenGov. Paper copies can be obtained at the Health Department.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Washington Township under the Monroe County Development Ordinance.

    • Subdivision applications must include applicable lot, setback, access, floodplain, and sewage-disposal information.
    • Private-sewage subdivisions require health-department approval of soil or septic feasibility information where applicable.
    “for each proposed subdivision lot and subdivision access road, the subdivider shall submit a driveway permit or preliminary access approval if required by the relevant Jurisdiction”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway work in county rights-of-way or on county roads serving land inside Washington Township.

    • The Monroe County Highway Department requires permits whenever work is in county rights-of-way or on county roads.
    • State-road access may instead require INDOT approval; municipal roads may use municipal permitting.
    “Permits are required by the Monroe County Highway Department whenever working in county right of ways or on any county roads.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development wholly or partly within, or in contact with, an identified Special Flood Hazard Area inside Washington Township.

    • The application must be filed before construction.
    • Applications must include plans showing the nature, location, dimensions, elevations, drainage, and related information.
    • The Floodplain Administrator is designated by the Director of the Monroe County Planning Department.
    “An application for a floodplain development permit shall be made to the Floodplain Administrator for all development activities located wholly within, partially within, or in contact with an identified special flood hazard area.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published Monroe County residential building-permit fees applicable to projects inside Washington Township.

    • The page identifies the fee schedule as Residential Permit Fees (2012).
    • The page lists a $125 minimum for conventional new construction, $75 minimum for manufactured-home placement, $50 re-inspection, 50% permit renewal, and $125 certificate of occupancy.
    • A newer fee ordinance may supersede the displayed schedule; the county's related-links page identifies Ordinance 2026-18 as a building permit and license fee ordinance.

    new conventional construction: 14¢ per sq ft / $125.00 minimum USD · manufactured home placement: 14¢ per sq ft / $75.00 minimum USD · re-inspection: 50 USD · certificate of occupancy: 125 USD

    “New Construction (conventional): 14¢ per sq ft / $125.00 min.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County planning and building permitting for Class 2 construction inside Washington Township.

    • Beginning January 1, 2026, the ILP process for Class 2 structures must be complete before application to the Monroe County Building Department.
    • The county provides an online permit portal and a free residential-construction pre-design step.
    “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 Washington Township or Monroe County directly.

  • Building permit — Building permits for construction inside Washington Township.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements inside Washington Township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Washington Township.
  • Setbacks — Required setbacks in applicable Washington Township zoning districts.
  • Building height — Building height limits in applicable Washington Township zoning districts.
12 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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 Washington 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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