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

Rules another office applies inside Raccoon Township

Raccoon 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 and new construction on land inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana, as handled by the Parke County Planning and Zoning Office

  • The county page does not state which areas its building permit covers; incorporated towns in Parke County may run their own permits, so the geography is recorded as countywide with that caveat.
  • Permit fee and online application link are listed on the same page (see permit_fees and permit_process claims).
  • Construction may proceed only after the permit is issued.

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

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  One- and two-family dwellings (Class 2 structures) and their accessory structures built inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana, under the state residential code

  • The 2020 Indiana Residential Code applies to all construction on Class 2 structures and their accessory structures.
  • All local units of government are statutorily mandated to require compliance with the code (citing IC 36-7-2-9).
  • The source does not say which local office performs plan review or inspection in Raccoon township; see the building_inspection claim.

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

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning district classifications for unincorporated land in Parke County, including Raccoon township

  • The ordinance lists land-classification codes (agricultural ap, agricultural productive afr, agricultural forest recreation afc, and other codes); the district schedule text is OCR-garbled and only partly legible.
  • The ordinance is a 1976 amendment; its current status was not confirmed.
  • The ordinance states it applies to the unincorporated territory of the county.

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

• Who permits septicCounty

  Residential on-site sewage (septic) systems on land inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

  • The Parke County Health Department issues the permit under state rule 410 IAC 6-8.2, as cited in the county packet.
  • A registered soil scientist must complete a soil evaluation before the health department can issue system requirements.
  • Commercial systems also need design specifications and approval from the Indiana State Department of Health.

  “the parke county health department reviews the system design, performs an on-site evaluation (field must be staked and protected), and if in compliance with 410 iac 6-8.2 may issue septic permit.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New residential on-site sewage system on land inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

  • The permit must be issued before the system is installed.
  • The permit must also be issued before the construction permit from the Parke County Planning and Zoning Office.
  • The issued permit must be kept on the job site while work is performed.
  • The permit is good for one (1) year.

  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 Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

  • The septic contractor must notify the Parke County Health Department 48 hours prior to excavation/installation.
  • The final inspection is done after all steps are complete, before the system is used.

  “a final inspection conducted by the parke county health department will be completed”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Agricultural uses, including residences connected with them, on land in unincorporated Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

  • The exemption is from the county zoning ordinance's provisions only; it does not cover the building permit, septic, or well rules.
  • The source is the 1976 amendment text; the current status of the exemption was not confirmed.
  • Applies to agricultural uses as defined in the ordinance's agricultural districts.

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

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Platting of new subdivisions in unincorporated territory of Parke County, including Raccoon township

  • Subdivision plats are subject to Parke County Plan Commission approval.
  • Streets in a subdivision may be private only with plan commission approval.
  • Private sewage disposal on individual lots is not permitted if the water table is less than thirty (30) inches below the ground surface, under the subdivision provisions of the ordinance.

  “the streets shown on this plat are private and have been approved as such by the parke county plan commission.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building, well, and septic permit fees for property inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

  • Checks and money orders are payable to the Parke County Plan Commission for planning and zoning fees.
  • The septic fee is set by the Health Department, not the planning commission.
  • The county planning page links to a fee schedule that was not opened.

  building permit fee: 50 USD (residential structure) · commercial structure permit fee: 100 USD (commercial structure) · well permit fee: 50 USD · residential septic permit fee: 75 USD (health department permit)

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

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit application process for property inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

  • The building permit can be applied for online and paid by credit card; the application link is on the county planning page.
  • The septic process steps (soil evaluation, system requirements, design, permit, inspection) are published separately by the Health Department.
  • Application process for the building permit beyond the online link was not located.

  “the link to fill out an application online and pay with a credit card can be found here”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permit or licensing for residential construction in Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana
• Inspections — Building inspection of new dwellings in Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new dwelling in Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana
• Local zoning — Whether Raccoon township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance for land inside Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area of a single-family dwelling in unincorporated Raccoon township, Parke County, Indiana

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.