Bolthole Index

Perry County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Perry County, Indiana

71Index Score / 100
#12 of 92 in Indiana

Unincorporated Perry County, Indiana requires an Improvement Location Permit for structures that are erected, reconstructed, moved, converted or enlarged1. County zoning applies outside the municipal fringe areas, and the Planning and Zoning Department administers both permits and zoning23. Residential projects also need sewage-disposal approval before the building permit is issued3.

At a glance

Building permit
Improvement Location Permit required for any structure erected, moved, converted or enlarged1
Zoning
Countywide zoning ordinance, covering unincorporated land more than two miles from Cannelton, Tell City or Troy23
Septic
County Health Department permit required for qualifying projects; fee is $12545
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed on the county's site; ask Planning and Zoning directly6
Permit timing
Construction must start within one year of the permit and finish within two years3
Septic before building
A sewage disposal system must be approved before a residential building permit is issued3
Sewer connection
Required when a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance7
Floodplain questions
Indiana DNR Division of Water handles floodplain questions statewide3

Who to call

Building permits

Perry County Planning and Zoning Department

Improvement Location Permits (building permits), zoning administration, GIS property mapping and floodplain referrals for unincorporated Perry County

(812) 547-7121

2219 Payne Street, Tell City, IN 47586

Septic permits

Perry County Health Department (Sanitarian)

Septic (on-site sewage) permits, soil-analysis review, installation inspections and water-supply testing for Perry County

812-547-2746

3214 Tell Street, Tell City, IN 47586

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Perry County, Indiana?

Yes. Perry County's Planning and Zoning Department issues an Improvement Location Permit for any structure erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted or enlarged in unincorporated Perry County1. Permit fees vary by project, and construction must start within one year and finish within two years3. Before Perry County issues a residential building permit, the Health Department must approve the site's sewage-disposal system3. One- and two-family residential construction is also subject to the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, which incorporates the 2018 International Residential Code8. Ask Planning and Zoning whether inspections or a certificate of occupancy apply to the project because Perry County-specific requirements could not be confirmed.

Who is the Perry County Planning and Zoning Department and how do you reach them?

The Perry County Planning and Zoning Department issues Improvement Location Permits, administers the zoning ordinance, and keeps the file of every improvement permit and application for the county3. Reach the office at the Perry County Courthouse, 2219 Payne Street in Tell City, and call (812) 547-7121 to set up an appointment3. If your question involves a floodplain rather than a straightforward building permit, the same office directs residents to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, at 877-928-37553. Ask this office early which zoning jurisdiction covers your specific parcel, since land close to a town may fall under that town's rules instead of the county's3.

Does Perry County have zoning?

Yes. The Perry County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals have jurisdiction over unincorporated land outside the two-mile fringe around Cannelton, Tell City and Troy23. Perry County publishes conservation, agricultural, scenic, residential, business and industrial zoning districts, but the available facts do not establish the dimensional rules for a particular parcel9. Confirm the parcel's district, setbacks, lot standards and permitted uses with Planning and Zoning before designing a home. Subdivision of land within the county zoning jurisdiction must follow Perry County's subdivision-control regulations10. Buildings used only for agriculture on the land where that activity occurs, and not for retail trade, are exempt from the state Class 1 design-release classification; that does not waive local zoning or permit requirements11.

How do septic permits work in Perry County?

The Perry County Health Department handles residential onsite-sewage permits4. A permit is required for a home or shed that will not connect to city sewer and when an existing onsite system is replaced or expanded; the county fee is $1255. If sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance, Indiana prohibits installing an onsite system and requires a sewer connection7. Only about 1.2% of Perry County soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make septic feasibility part of the purchase decision12. The sanitarian may take up to 45 days to review a submitted packet and, after receiving the necessary paperwork, up to 30 days to issue or deny a permit13. The installer must notify the sanitarian at least 48 hours before installation is planned13.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Perry County?

Perry County's rules for living in an RV or tiny home on an individually owned parcel could not be confirmed. Indiana's campground rule applies to regulated campgrounds and does not establish permission for residential RV use on a private deeded lot14. Indiana's temporary-campground limits likewise do not answer whether an owner may camp on an individually deeded parcel15. Because Perry County administers zoning in its unincorporated jurisdiction, ask the Planning and Zoning Department how the parcel's district treats an RV, a tiny home, minimum dwelling size and required setbacks before buying or placing a unit23. Also ask the Health Department what sewage arrangement it will approve; an Indiana dwelling that cannot connect to sewer generally needs a compliant on-site sewage system, and drywells and cesspools are not allowed16.

How do you build a home in Perry County, step by step?

  1. Call the Planning and Zoning Department at (812) 547-7121 to confirm the zoning jurisdiction and district for the parcel3.
  2. Determine whether sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance; if it is, the project must connect rather than install an onsite system7.
  3. If the project qualifies for onsite sewage, apply through the Perry County Health Department and pay the $125 permit fee45.
  4. Allow up to 45 days for packet review and, after all necessary paperwork arrives, up to 30 days for a decision13.
  5. After sewage approval, apply to Planning and Zoning for the Improvement Location Permit3.
  6. Start construction within one year and finish within two years of permit issuance3.
  7. Have the septic installer notify the sanitarian at least 48 hours before installation13.

What should you check before buying land in Perry County?

Perry County farmland has recently sold for around $5,209 an acre, and typical homes in the county are valued near $192,0721718. The county gets about 50.3 inches of rain a year and has sat in severe drought only about 3.3% of years, among the lowest drought exposure of any rural county1920. About 55% of the county's land sits at 15% slope or less, and 24.9% of the county is federal land, which shapes what is actually available to buy2122. Only about 1.2% of Perry County's soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a soil analysis before you close matters more here than in most counties12. Confirm whether your target parcel sits within two miles of Cannelton, Tell City, or Troy, since that determines whether county or town zoning applies3. Perry County's effective property tax rate runs about 0.7%, with a median annual property tax bill near $1,041, and a typical home insurance premium around $1,403 a year232425.

Watch-outs

  • Perry County will not issue a residential building permit until the Health Department approves your sewage disposal plan, so start the septic process first3.
  • Land within two miles of Cannelton, Tell City, or Troy may fall under that town's zoning instead of the county's, so confirm jurisdiction before you assume county rules apply3.
  • With only about 1.2% of Perry County's soils rated free of severe septic limitations, do not assume a rural parcel will pass a conventional septic evaluation without checking first12.

Sources

  1. Perry County - Planning and Zoning (2026 county census)
  2. Perry County - Planning and Zoning (2026 county census)
  3. Perry County Planning and Zoning Department (perrycounty.in.gov)
  4. Sewage – Perry County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. Sewage – Perry County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Environmental Public Health: Onsite Sewage Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  8. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, quoted and re-checked
  9. Chapter 153: Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 153: Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  11. Plan Review FAQs (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  13. Perry County Health Department (Sanitarian) (perrycounty.in.gov)
  14. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  19. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  20. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Typical home insurance premium: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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.

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County locator

Perry County in Indiana

71
County map
Perry County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Perry County scores

Seclusion57100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency64100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability64100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost82100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$192kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$5,209Land / acre
50.3"Annual rain
3.3% of yrsSevere drought
7.7 / yr (+7.3)Mid-century 100°F days
13.6 daysMid-century dry spell
2.08" (+9.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.8×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,403Home insurance / yr
1.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.82%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
22,483People within 30 min
2,606,391People within 2 hr
32,300Radius comparison (15 mi)
50.3People / sq mi
24.9%Federal land
55%Land at 15% slope or less
1.2%Septic soil without severe limits
2,738 acWorkable land screen
70.6%Wooded land
53.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Perry County rules

  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and district regulations in the Perry County zoning jurisdiction.

    • The code index identifies zone maps, zoning districts, district boundaries, conservation, agricultural, scenic, residential, business, industrial, and scenic-corridor overlay districts.
    • The actual district maps and dimensional standards were not opened or verified.
    “153.025 Zone maps 153.026 Zoning districts 153.027 District boundaries 153.028 Conservation District 153.029 Agricultural District 153.030 Scenic District 153.031 Residential Districts 153.032 Business Districts 153.033 Industrial District”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Residential onsite sewage permitting information published by the Perry County Health Department.

    • State onsite sewage rules also apply.
    • The county health page identifies the Perry County Health Department as the permitting contact.
    “Complete the proper permit paperwork and submit form with fee of $125.00.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Homes or sheds not connected to city sewer and replacement or additions to existing onsite sewage systems.

    • The county health page says a permit is needed for anyone building a home or shed that will not be on city sewer and for anyone replacing or adding to an existing system.
    • The county page states a $125 fee.

    permit fee: 125 USD

    “Anyone building a home/shed that will not be on city sewer. Anyone that needs to replace/add to their existing system.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within the Perry County zoning jurisdiction.

    • Chapter 153 includes a subdivision-of-land provision.
    • The operative subdivision standards and exceptions were not opened, so no numeric or procedural details are asserted.
    “All subdivision of land in areas under the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be in accordance with the provisions of the subdivision control regulations then in effect for the county.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Perry County has a county zoning ordinance (Chapter 153: Zoning) administered by the Perry County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals over all unincorporated land outside municipal two-mile fringe areas.

    Perry County - Planning and Zoning ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Indiana rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Building-permit or plan-review requirements for construction in Indiana; the state describes these as administrative provisions local jurisdictions may adopt and enforce.

    • Whether a building permit or plan review is required depends on the applicable local jurisdiction's administrative ordinance or process.
    • The cited IDHS statement says local jurisdictions retain authority to establish departments, create inspection schedules, establish fines, and create an order-review process.
    • IDHS states its summary represents the agency's position and is not binding; initial determinations about enforceability of a specific ordinance are left to the local unit administering it.
    “However, HEA 1575 did not eliminate the authority of local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce administrative provisions in building and fire safety ordinances, which include, among other things: (1) the establishment of departments; (2) the requirement to obtain a building permit or plan review; (3) the creation of inspection schedules; (4) the establishment of fines; or (5) the creation of an order review process.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Statewide Indiana construction subject to the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission's adopted building codes, including the Indiana Building Code and Indiana Residential Code.

    • The adopted codes consist of model codes amended for Indiana.
    • The 2014 Indiana Building Code under 675 IAC 13-2.6 is currently in effect and became effective December 1, 2014.
    • The 2020 Indiana Residential Code under 675 IAC 14-4.4 is currently in effect and became effective December 26, 2019.
    • Specific applicability depends on the structure and code category.

    Indiana Building Code effective date: 2014-12-01 · Indiana Residential Code effective date: 2019-12-26

    “The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission creates Indiana codes by adopting model codes and amending them to apply in Indiana.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Indiana one- and two-family residential construction, including Perry County.
      “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”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction inspections in Indiana, including Class I structures in jurisdictions without an approved building department and construction subject to a Construction Design Release.

    • In jurisdictions without an approved building department, IDHS Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance.
    • When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, IDHS Code Enforcement conducts construction-process and final inspections.
    • Agricultural buildings and one- and two-family residential structures fall under the local government entity; if no local government entity exists, the county government may provide inspections, and IDHS states that if there is no local government entity the residential issue becomes a private civil matter.
    “In jurisdictions where there is not an approved building department, Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance. When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, Code Enforcement will conduct inspections during the construction process and provide a final inspection. Agricultural buildings and residential structures (one- and two-family dwellings) fall under the jurisdiction of the local government entity.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Residential sanitation in Indiana where a dwelling is not connected, or cannot be connected, to a sanitary sewerage system.

    • The dwelling must be provided with a compliant residential on-site sewage system including a septic tank and a soil absorption system that has not failed.
    • A temporary sewage holding tank is subject to written Indiana Department of Health approval, with specified exceptions for failed systems, soil conditions after a construction permit, and certain district, utility, or municipal sewage plans.
    • A holding tank operated as a primary residential disposal method for a sewer connection plan is limited to not more than one year unless the period is extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation.
    • Drywells and cesspools are not allowed for construction or use as on-site sewage treatment in Indiana.

    holding-tank sewer-connection period: <= 1 year (may be extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation)

    “septic tank and a soil absorption system”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction of residential water-supply wells and installation of well pumps in Indiana.

    • Indiana Department of Health standards state that several local health departments require a permit before residential water-supply well construction or well-pump installation.
    • The cited statewide source does not identify which local health departments require permits; local requirements must therefore be checked for the specific property.
    • Water-well drillers must be licensed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
    “Several local health departments now require that a permit be obtained before construction of a residential water supply well or installation of a well pump.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Facilities proposed in Indiana where a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance.

    • Installation of an onsite sewage disposal system is prohibited when a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance.
    • A connection to the sewer must be made.
    “If a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance of the proposed facility, installation of an onsite sewage disposal system is prohibited, and a connection must be made to the sewer.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings used only for an agricultural purpose on the land where they are located and not used for retail trade, for purposes of Indiana state Class 1 construction-design-release requirements.

    • The building must be used only for an agricultural purpose.
    • The building must be located on the land where the agricultural purpose occurs.
    • The building must not be used for retail trade.
    • This is an exemption from Class 1/state design-release classification; it does not establish exemption from every local inspection, zoning, building, fire, or other applicable requirement.
    • Indiana's official Code Enforcement FAQ states that local units of government inspect agricultural buildings if they have an ordinance requiring inspection.

    state design-release classification: not Class 1 (Does not resolve local inspection or zoning requirements)

    “Buildings used only for an agricultural purpose on the land where they are located and not used for retail trade are not Class 1 structures.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway connections and construction inside the right-of-way of Indiana state highways.

    • The governmental unit having jurisdiction over the street or highway must grant permission.
    • INDOT jurisdiction is limited to the Indiana state highway system; other governmental units may use the guide as a guideline.
    • Applications must be made through the INDOT Electronic Permit System.
    “State law requires the public to obtain permission from the governmental unit having jurisdiction over a street or highway”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development activities within the fringe portion of Indiana floodplains.

    • There is no state review or state permit for fringe development.
    • When a community adopts floodplain regulations, the regulations must be approved by the Department and may not be less restrictive than 312 IAC 10.
    • Most Indiana communities participate in the NFIP, which requires certain federal regulations to be adopted and enforced for the entire floodplain.
    • Local permits may still be required.
    “There is no State review of or permit issued for development activities within the fringe portion of the floodplain.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Most development activities in Indiana floodways, including fills, excavations, bridges, utilities, and non-residential structures.
      “The DNR Division of Water has jurisdiction in Indiana's floodways for most development activities.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published fees for specified Indiana DNR Division of Water and INDOT permits statewide.

    • Fees apply to the specified permit types and do not establish a single fee for every Indiana permit.
    • DNR lists fees by statute and permit application type; INDOT fees vary by driveway or road-approach subtype.

    DNR Flood Control Act excavation, fill, or non-residential construction in a floodway application fee: 200 USD · DNR Flood Control Act residential reconstruction in a floodway other than the Ohio River floodway application fee: 50 USD · DNR Flood Control Act residential construction or reconstruction in the Ohio River floodway application fee: 10 USD · INDOT private driveway, private field access, temporary driveway, or driveway removal fee: 55 USD · INDOT minor or sub-minor commercial driveway or minor public road approach fee: 150 USD · INDOT major commercial driveway or major public road approach fee: 600 USD

    “IC 14-28-1 | Flood Control Act - Excavation, fill, or non-residential construction in a floodway | $200”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Indiana state construction design-release review for Class 1 structures; local permits may also be required.

    • The process applies to projects required to file with IDHS for a construction design release.
    • All work, including work exempted from state filing, may require local permits.
    • If additional documents are uploaded before the initial response, the 10-business-day period restarts.
    • A selected plan review may result in corrections before release.

    initial completeness or review determination: 10 business days (The period restarts if additional documents are uploaded before the response.) · selected-plan review response: 20 business days (Measured from delivery of the notice of plan review.) · response after corrected plans: 10 business days (Applies following receipt of corrections and continues until release.)

    “If your project is selected for a review, you will either receive a release or request for corrections to your plans within 20 business days”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational vehicle occupancy at a regulated Indiana campground campsite, rather than residential occupancy on an individually deeded lot or other land outside the rule's campground definition.

    • A campground is an area where campsites are leased or rented and provisions are made for ten or more tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes.
    • The campground must be established, operated, and maintained for recreational, health, education, sectarian, business, or tourist activities away from established residences.
    • The rule excludes primitive campgrounds, youth camps, and tracts of land divided into individually deeded lots.
    • No more than one recreational vehicle or one vacation mobile home may be allowed on a designated campsite at the same time.
    • Campground construction, additions, or significant construction changes require plans submitted at least ninety days before construction for department review and approval; the plans must be certified by a registered engineer or architect licensed in Indiana.
    • The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization for long-term residential RV occupancy outside regulated campgrounds.

    minimum campground provisions: >= 10 tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes · maximum recreational vehicles per designated campsite: 1 vehicle (one vacation mobile home may be used instead) · advance plan-submission period: >= 90 days (the department may waive plan review for a minor alteration)

    “No more than one (1) recreational vehicle or one (1) vacation mobile home”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building requirements in Perry County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in unincorporated Perry County.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning rules across Perry County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Perry County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in unincorporated Perry County.
10 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Perry County, Indiana

Is Perry County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Perry County scores 71/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use.

Do you need a building permit in Perry County, Indiana?

Perry County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Perry County Health Department (Environmental Health / Sanitarian). These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Perry County, Indiana?

Land in Perry County runs about $5,209 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perry County?

Perry County gets about 50.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.3% of years.

How remote is Perry County?

A representative private-land location has about 22,483 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,606,391 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Perry compares in Indiana

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