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

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.

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  New septic installations and repairs on land inside Washington township, which is unincorporated Noble County; the county health department administers septic permits countywide

  • Health department page states septic applications are made in its office.
  • Health department page lists fees under 'septic permits $100.00 per year' without a fee table; not verified here.

  “septic applications must be applied for in the office.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New septic system installation or repair inside Washington township (unincorporated Noble County)

  • Installation must be performed by a licensed installer.
  • Building permits also require a septic permit or clearance letter from the health department for new residential, commercial and accessory construction, additions and remodels that add bedrooms, per the building permit checklist.

  “a permit and installation by a licensed installer are required for any new installation or repair of a septic system in noble county.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions in the unincorporated parts of Noble County, including land inside Washington township

  • Plan commission states it regulates through its comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision control ordinance; the subdivision ordinance text was not opened.

  “the plan commission is primarily responsible for the land in the unincorporated parts of noble county. it does this through its comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance, and subdivision control ordinance.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  New building permits in unincorporated Noble County, including Washington township, for lots without an existing driveway

  • Permit required even if a home was removed by fire or act of god; contact the Noble County Highway Department (260) 636-2124; state road access goes to INDOT permit department (260) 484-9541.

  “driveway permits are required for all building permits that do not have an existing driveway.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County building department permit fees for construction in unincorporated Noble County, including Washington township

  • Checklist states it is revised Jan. 8, 2024 (a revision stamp, not an effective date).
  • The checklist says 'contact us for other fees not listed', so the schedule is partial.
  • Source writes '.08 cents' and '.04 cents'; read here as per-square-foot amounts, to confirm with the department.

  living-area fee: 0.08 USD per sq. ft. (living area) · non-living-area fee: 0.04 USD per sq. ft. (non-living area; unfinished basement) · garage, deck, porch, accessory building, electrical, heating or plumbing item fee: 35 USD (per item; agricultural structures 0.02 per sq. ft.; grain bin or lean-to $35)

  “building department fees are.08 cents per sq. ft. of living area,.04 cents per sq. ft. of non-living area”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process for new construction in unincorporated Noble County, including Washington township

  • Checklist lists plan commission approval (260) 636-7217, a county surveyor drainage check, septic clearance, driveway permit, approved plans and a site plan; it does not give a full step sequence or review times.
  • Building department contact: 109 n york street albion, in 46701, (260) 636-2215.

  “approval from the noble county plan commission (260) 636-7217. $30.00/$10.00 improvement location permit may apply.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for building in Washington township
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption for new construction in unincorporated Noble County, including Washington township
• Inspections — Building inspections for work in unincorporated Noble County, including Washington township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in unincorporated Noble County, including Washington township
• Local zoning — Whether Washington township itself adopts a zoning ordinance

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.