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

Rules another office applies inside Liberty Township

Liberty 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

  Structural building improvements (including dwellings) on land inside Liberty township, which is unincorporated Parke County

  • Construction may proceed after the Parke County improvement location permit is issued.
  • The permit requires a septic release from the health department, a site plan, a floor plan for habitable buildings, and a deed or recorded contract.
  • Applications may be filed online or at the Planning and Zoning Office.

  “attn: all structural building improvements need a building improvement permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  One- and two-family residential construction in Liberty township (Indiana Residential Code applies statewide)

  • The state amendments to the 2018 IRC model code are in effect; the code applies to class 2 structures and accessory structures.
  • Effective date stated as December 26, 2019.

  “since that date, the 2020 indiana residential code has been in full force and effect in every location within the state of indiana.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Liberty township, which is unincorporated Parke County, Indiana. This is a county zoning ordinance administered by Parke County; no Liberty township zoning ordinance was found.

  • The ordinance states that it covers the unincorporated territory of Parke County, so it reaches Liberty township only as unincorporated county land.
  • The copy found is the 1976 amendment; its current status was not confirmed.
  • No township-adopted zoning ordinance for Liberty township was located.

  “an ordinance for the deve:oopment throogh zoning for the unincorporated territory of parke county, indiana”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Parke County zoning classifications applying to unincorporated land including Liberty township

  • The ordinance lists parcel classifications including AP (agricultural productive), AFR (agricultural forest recreation) and AFC; the full district schedule was not read.
  • Based on the 1976 amendment; current status not confirmed.

  “land classificatit:jls code to use on parcel classif'ica tion agricultural ap agricultural~ productiw afr agricultural, forest recreation afc agricultural, classi”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Building on AP (agriculture productive) or AFR (agriculture forest recreation) zoned land in unincorporated Liberty township

  • The lot must be suitable for a septic system.
  • The main single-family residential district lot size was not located in the pages read.

  minimum lot size for building: >= 0.5 acre (on AP or AFR zoned land, provided suitable for a septic system)

  “if you are building on land zoned ap (agriculture productive) or afr (agriculture forest recreation) you are required to have a minimum of ½ acre on which to build, provided suitable for a septic system.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Building placement on lots in unincorporated Liberty township (general county rule as stated on the permit form)

  • Side setback of 8 feet stated on the permit form; special exceptions may apply.
  • The front setback must also be met, and secondary structures must sit behind the front line of the primary structure unless special exceptions apply.
  • District-specific setback schedule not read.

  side setback: >= 8 feet (without special exceptions)

  “you cannot place a building closer than 8’ to side property lines without special exceptions.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  On-site sewage systems on land inside Liberty township, administered by the Parke County Health Department

  • The packet states that permits are required for residential and commercial on-site systems in Parke County under 410 IAC 6-8.2.
  • State design approval applies to commercial systems.

  “the following steps are required in order to obtain a permit for both commercial and residential on-site sewage disposal systems in parke county.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New or replacement residential on-site sewage systems on land inside Liberty township

  • Permit issued by the health department after soil evaluation, system design, and an on-site review; must be issued before installation.
  • Residential permit fee is $75.00 and the permit is good for one year.
  • Construction may proceed only after the septic permit is issued.

  residential septic permit fee: 75 USD

  “an on-site sewage disposal permit must be issued by the health department prior to the installation of the system and prior to obtaining a construction permit from the parke county planning and zoning office.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Residential on-site sewage system installed on land inside Liberty township

  • Contractor must notify the health department 48 hours before excavation or installation.
  • The final inspection is performed by the health department after installation.

  contractor notice before excavation or installation: >= 48 hours

  “a final inspection conducted by the parke county health department will be completed and a copy will be provided for the homeowner, installer, and a copy will be kept on file in our office.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Agricultural uses, including residences connected with them, on unincorporated land in Liberty township

  • Exempts agricultural uses from the county zoning ordinance provisions only; this is not an exemption from building, septic or improvement location permits.
  • Based on the 1976 amendment; current status not confirmed.

  “none ot the provisions and regulations o:t this ordinance shall ap~ to agricultural uses, including residences in connection 1;herewi th.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land in unincorporated Liberty township under the Parke County zoning and subdivision control ordinance

  • The county ordinance includes subdivision control with preliminary and final plat requirements.
  • Subdivision covenants and subdivision boards may impose additional requirements, per the county building permit form.
  • Based on the 1976 amendment; current status not confirmed.

  “no plat or replat of a subdivision of land located within the jurisdiction of the commission shall be recorded until it shall have been approved by the commission and the board of commissioners”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Driveways serving new construction on land inside Liberty township

  • The driveway location must be shown on the site plan.
  • A state release is required if the driveway is on a state or federal highway.
  • The county form does not set driveway design standards.

  “location of driveway (requires state release if on state or federal highway)”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County improvement location permit fees for land inside Liberty township

  • Fees are listed as $50.00 for a building permit, $100.00 for a commercial structure, and $50.00 for a well permit. The application form also lists $50.00 for a single-family dwelling and $50.00 for a single-wide or double-wide mobile home.
  • Checks are payable to the Parke County Planning Commission.

  building permit fee: 50 USD · commercial structure permit fee: 100 USD

  “building permit fee: $50.00 permit fee for a commercial structure: $100.00. well permits: $50.00”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Improvement location permit process for land inside Liberty township

  • Permits are issued the same day if the application is complete; applications are first come, first served.
  • The septic release comes from the health department before the county permit.

  “permit requirements for parke county permits are issued on the same day applied for if you have all requested information.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a home inside Liberty township
• Inspections — Residential building inspection inside Liberty township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Liberty township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Liberty township
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage in unincorporated Liberty 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.