Bolthole Index

Putnam County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic in Cloverdale Township, Indiana

Unincorporated Cloverdale Township, Indiana, in Putnam County requires a building permit before qualifying construction, alteration, repair or moving work valued above $1,500, with an exclusion for structures used entirely for agriculture without electricity.1 Putnam County administers zoning and building permits for unincorporated township land.23 Septic permits come from the Putnam County Health Department and must precede the county construction permit.4

At a glance

Building permit
Required before qualifying work above $1,500 in unincorporated Cloverdale Township; agricultural structures without electrical use are excluded1
Zoning
Putnam County administers zoning for unincorporated Cloverdale Township2
Septic permit
Putnam County Health Department; obtain before septic construction and before the county construction permit4
Owner-builder
Personal-use builders must execute a Contractor Listing Exemption and remain responsible for construction and building permits5
Agricultural buildings
Local building-permit exclusion is for total agricultural use without electrical use6
Private wells
Ask the health department about local well permits; Indiana requires licensed water-well drillers7

Who to call

Building permits

Putnam County Building and Planning Department

Building permits, zoning, project inspections and floodplain administration for unincorporated Cloverdale Township; the county also issues building permits and reviews zoning for the Town of Cloverdale.

(765) 301-9108

[email protected]

1 W Washington St. 4th Floor. Room 46 Greencastle. IN

Septic permits

Putnam County Health Department, Environmental Services Division

Septic permits and enforcement of state and local on-site sewage rules in Cloverdale Township.

(765) 653-0203 Option 2

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Cloverdale 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 Cloverdale Township, IN?

For unincorporated Cloverdale Township, a building permit is required before construction, alteration, repair or moving a qualifying building or structure when the total work value exceeds $1,500.1 The local exclusion covers structures used entirely for agriculture without electrical use; an agricultural structure with electricity falls outside that stated exclusion.6

A personal-use owner-builder must execute a Contractor Listing Exemption and accepts responsibility for construction, building permits, fines and penalties.5 That exemption does not remove the building-permit requirement for qualifying work.51

Who issues building permits in Cloverdale Township?

The Putnam County Building and Planning Department issues building permits for unincorporated Cloverdale Township; the county also lists the incorporated Town of Cloverdale among the towns it serves for building permits.38 Contact the department at (765) 301-9108 or [email protected], or visit the department's Greencastle office.8

For a township project, check the issued building permit for the required inspections.9 The department requires at least 24 hours' notice for inspections and cannot accommodate same-day inspections; booking ahead does not guarantee availability.8

Does Cloverdale Township have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

Putnam County administers zoning on unincorporated Cloverdale Township land; the county zoning office also reviews zoning issues for the incorporated Town of Cloverdale.28 The county provides a zoning layer on its GIS site.8 Before buying, ask the county zoning office to identify the parcel's district and confirm the proposed dwelling use, lot size, setbacks and building height.8

For a proposed land division in unincorporated Cloverdale Township, use the county subdivision process: the Area Plan Commission is the decision-making body for subdivisions and site-plan review.10 For land outside the township, consult the Putnam County guide.

How do septic permits work in Cloverdale Township?

The Putnam County Health Department enforces state and local on-site sewage rules in Cloverdale Township.11 Obtain the septic permit before starting septic-system construction and before obtaining the county construction permit.4 The health department's new-system permit package lists a $225 fee and requires soil evaluation, plans, deed and plat; ask Environmental Services for the current packet and fee before applying.12

Putnam County has only 4.2% of soils rated not limited for conventional septic drain fields; this county-level rating calls for site evaluation and may mean an engineered system, rather than making septic impossible.13 Contact Environmental Services at (765) 653-0203 Option 2.14

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Cloverdale Township?

We could not confirm a township-specific answer for residential RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy; ask Putnam County Building and Planning about the proposed use and parcel before buying a unit.8 Ask separately about occupancy while a house is under construction.8

Indiana's campground rules apply to regulated campgrounds and do not establish general permission to live in an RV on an individually deeded lot.15 Off-grid dwellings that are not connected, or cannot connect, to sanitary sewer must have a compliant residential on-site sewage system; Indiana prohibits drywells and cesspools for on-site sewage treatment.16

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

  1. Ask Putnam County Building and Planning to confirm the parcel's zoning and required development approvals for unincorporated Cloverdale Township.2
  2. If the home will use septic, obtain the health department's septic permit before the county construction permit.4
  3. Submit the county building application and pay the required fees before permit release; obtain the building permit before qualifying work starts.31
  4. Follow the inspections listed on the building permit and give the department at least 24 hours' notice when scheduling.98

Before committing to a site, ask the county department about floodplain status: county floodplain protections apply to development in special flood hazard areas.17 Ask the health department about local private-well permitting and water-supply plans.7

Watch-outs

  • Starting construction in unincorporated Cloverdale Township before obtaining an Improvement Location Permit or other required building permits triggers twice the current permit fee.8
  • The agricultural building-permit exclusion in unincorporated Cloverdale Township does not include structures with electrical use.6
  • We could not confirm public water or sewer connection requirements for a new township home; ask the Putnam County Health Department about the proposed water and sanitation arrangements before buying.14

Sources

  1. Section 150.007 Permit Required (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Building and Planning (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Building and Planning (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Putnam County: Environmental (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. co.putnam.in.us (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Section 150.007 Permit Required (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Putnam County Building and Planning Department (co.putnam.in.us)
  9. Building and Planning (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building and Planning (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Putnam County: Environmental (Cloverdale Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Putnam County: Environmental, quoted and re-checked
  13. 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
  14. Putnam County Health Department, Environmental Services Division (in.gov)
  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. irp.cdn-website.com, quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 Cloverdale Township

Rules another office applies inside Cloverdale Township

Cloverdale 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

    Construction, alteration, repair, or moving of qualifying buildings and structures in unincorporated Cloverdale township.

    • Permit is required before work begins when total work value exceeds $1,500.
    • Structures for total agriculture use without electrical use are excluded.
    • Required fees must be paid before permit release.
    • State design release documentation is required when applicable.

    minimum work value: > 1500 USD (Structures for total agriculture use without electrical use are excluded)

    “A permit shall be obtained before beginning construction, alteration, repair or moving any building or structure, (excluding structures for total agriculture use without electrical use) for which the total value of work is in excess of $1,500 using forms furnished by the Building Administrator and all fees required by this code shall be paid to the County Planning Department office.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    An individual constructing a dwelling or structure for personal use or occupancy in unincorporated Cloverdale township.

    • The individual must execute a Contractor Listing Exemption.
    • The signer accepts responsibility for construction, permits, fines, and penalties.
    “However, an individual constructing a dwelling or structure for personal use or occupancy shall execute a “Contractor Listing Exemption”. The individual signing the contractor listing exemption accepts all responsibility for construction, permits, fines and penalties.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Buildings and structures in unincorporated Cloverdale township administered under the Putnam County Building Code.

    • The ordinance incorporates state-required building rules and codes.
    “This Ordinance and all material included herein by reference shall be known as the “Building Code of Putnam County, Indiana.””
  • InspectionsRequired

    Building projects in unincorporated Cloverdale township subject to the Putnam County Building Department.

    • The county page states that the department conducts inspections.
    • Required inspection types and scheduling details are project-specific and appear on the building permit.
    “Please check your building permit for the required inspections for your project.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Unincorporated land within Cloverdale township, Putnam County, Indiana.

    • The county department administers zoning for unincorporated county land; incorporated Town of Cloverdale land may be governed by municipal rules.
    “The Zoning Department reviews all zoning issues for the unincorporated areas of the County as well as the Towns of Bainbridge, Cloverdale, Roachdale, and Russellville.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage disposal inside Cloverdale township, administered by the Putnam County Health Department.

    • The department enforces both state and local on-site sewage rules.
    “The Putnam County Health Department enforces all state and local rules governing on-site sewage disposal with the goal of safeguarding public health and assuring that residential and commercial on-site sewage disposal systems (septic systems) in Putnam County are properly permitted, installed, maintained, and operated in an environmentally safe manner.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New, repaired, or upgraded septic systems inside Cloverdale township.

    • A permit must be obtained before construction begins on the septic system.
    • The septic permit is required before obtaining a construction permit from the Putnam County Planning and Building Office.
    “A permit from this office must be obtained before any construction begins on a septic system and is required prior to obtaining a construction permit from the Putnam County Planning and Building Office.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Structures for total agriculture use without electrical use in unincorporated Cloverdale township.

    • The exemption applies to the building-permit requirement described in § 150.007(A).
    • Structures with electrical use are not within the stated exclusion.
    “A permit shall be obtained before beginning construction, alteration, repair or moving any building or structure, (excluding structures for total agriculture use without electrical use) for which the total value of work is in excess of $1,500 using forms furnished by the Building Administrator and all fees required by this code shall be paid to the County Planning Department office.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and development review in unincorporated Cloverdale township.

    • The Area Plan Commission is the decision-making body for subdivisions and site-plan review.
    • Applications must use the county process for unincorporated areas.
    “The Area Plan Commission is the land use and development policy body for the county is the decision-making body for site plan review, subdivisions, and Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit process for unincorporated Cloverdale township.

    • Applications use forms approved by the County Building and Planning Department.
    • Required fees must be received before release.
    • Construction begun before an Improvement Location Permit or other required permits triggers twice the current permit fee.
    • Commercial buildings require a Certificate of Design Release from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
    “Putnam County Building Department issues permits for all unincorporated areas of the county and the following: Town of Cloverdale, Town of Bainbridge, Town of Roachdale, and Town of Russellville.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements for land inside Cloverdale township.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Cloverdale township.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Cloverdale township.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks inside Cloverdale township.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Cloverdale township.
13 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Cloverdale Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Putnam County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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