Bolthole Index

Shelby County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Shelbyville, Indiana

Shelbyville, Indiana requires a building permit before construction, alteration or structural repairs inside city limits.1 In Shelby County, Shelbyville administers its own zoning through the city Unified Development Ordinance.2 Sewer availability determines whether a city property must connect to public sewer or can use approved private sewage disposal; the city requires a written private-system permit, and the Shelby County Health Department also permits systems not connected to a regulated sewage facility.345

At a glance

Building permits
Required before construction, alteration or structural repairs1
Zoning
City Unified Development Ordinance; district-specific standards26
Sewer and septic
Public sewer connection where required; city private-system permit plus county health review for non-sewer systems345
Homeowner work
Owner-occupants may do most work themselves; building permit still required7
Accessory dwellings
Conditional; maximum 600 square feet, within the primary structure or a detached garage8
Minimum dwelling size
Set by the applicable zoning district; ask Planning & Building for the district value9
Floodplain development
Floodplain development permit required before development in special flood hazard areas10

Who to call

Building permits

Shelbyville Planning & Building Department

City building permit applications, planning and zoning questions, and routing floodplain-development questions

317-392-5102 Ext 303

First floor of City Hall 44 W Washington Street Shelbyville, IN 46176

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Shelbyville Planning & Building Department — Planning Services

City planning, zoning, building inspections and online service information

Online permits →

Septic permits

Shelby County Health Department — Environmental Division

Septic permits and inspections for systems not connected to a regulated sewage facility; coordinate with city private-system approval

(317) 392-6470

20 W Polk St, Suite 202 Shelbyville, IN 46176

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 Shelbyville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Shelbyville, IN?

Shelbyville requires a building permit before beginning construction, alteration or structural repairs to a building or structure.1 The building permit application requires construction plans and a plot plan; projects covered by a state design release must include that release before the permit is issued.1 Shelbyville incorporates Indiana building, residential, plumbing, electrical and other construction rules into its city code.11

Ordinary nonstructural repairs are distinguished from structural work, but the ordinary-repair category does not cover sewer, drainage, electrical wiring, mechanical work or other work requiring a permit.1 Homeowners who own and live in their home may complete most work personally, but the homeowner exception does not remove the building permit requirement.7

Who issues building permits in Shelbyville, and where do you apply?

Shelbyville Planning & Building manages city building permitting, building inspections, planning and zoning.12 Contact the permit desk at 317-392-5102 Ext 303, or visit the first floor of City Hall at 44 W Washington Street, Shelbyville, IN 46176.13 Use the department’s Citizenserve portal or ask the office which application route fits your project; the department says not all services are available online yet.12

Shelbyville says building, improvement location and right-of-way permits typically take 3 to 5 days, with more complex projects taking longer to review.12 Septic permitting for systems not connected to a regulated sewage facility also involves the Shelby County Health Department; city building approval does not replace that health review.5

Does Shelbyville have zoning, and what are the setback and dwelling-size rules?

Shelbyville has a Unified Development Ordinance combining zoning and subdivision controls, and land in the city planning jurisdiction has an assigned zoning district, sometimes with an overlay district.26 Shelbyville’s minimum dwelling size, lot coverage and primary building height depend on the applicable district layout rather than a single citywide value.91415

Front, side and rear setbacks also depend on the district, with additional stream, wetland and floodplain provisions; front setbacks are measured from the right-of-way line.16 Ask Planning & Building to identify the parcel’s district and applicable layout before choosing a house footprint.612 An Improvement Location Permit cannot be issued unless the project conforms to city zoning, subdivision controls and other applicable city regulations; Site Development Plan approval may be needed first.17

How do sewer connections and septic permits work inside Shelbyville?

Shelbyville requires public-sewer connection at the owner’s expense for covered city properties abutting a street, alley or right-of-way containing public sewer when that sewer is within 150 feet of the property line.3 A written sewer connection permit is required before connection.3 Where public sewer is unavailable under the ordinance, Shelbyville allows compliant private sewage disposal subject to city approval.18

Before constructing a private system, obtain the Board of Public Works and Safety’s written permit through an application filed with the Clerk-Treasurer, including any requested plans and specifications.4 The Shelby County Health Department also issues permits for residential and commercial systems not connected to a regulated sewage facility and inspects repairs and new construction.519 Ask both offices how their approvals fit together for your address before excavation.45 The health department lists a $300 septic permit fee; the city ordinance separately calls for a Board-set permit and inspection fee.204

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

We could not confirm a complete Shelbyville rule for living in an RV on private land, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy; ask Shelbyville Planning & Building about the proposed use before relying on that housing plan.12

Shelbyville does have a conditional accessory-dwelling provision: the dwelling must be within the primary structure or a detached garage on the same lot serving that structure, and living area cannot exceed 600 square feet.8 Accessory dwellings are special exceptions in the Agriculture and Agricultural/Rural Residential districts, with permission governed by the applicable district and accessory-use table.8 A small building’s size alone does not settle occupancy: Shelbyville’s minimum dwelling size is district-specific, and covered buildings need a full, partial or temporary certificate of occupancy before use.921

Building a home in Shelbyville: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Identify the Shelbyville zoning district and any overlay, then ask Planning & Building for the district’s dwelling-size, setback and lot-coverage standards.691614
  2. Resolve public-sewer availability or coordinate city private-system approval with county health permitting before private-system construction.345
  3. Complete any required Site Development Plan approval and submit construction plans and a plot plan for city building approval before starting work.171
  4. Obtain a floodplain development permit before development in an area of special flood hazard.10
  5. Schedule city building inspections before concrete placement or concealment of work, and obtain the required certificate of occupancy before moving in.2221

For land outside Shelbyville, use the Shelby County guide: the county planning office serves unincorporated land and directs municipal owners to their applicable jurisdiction.23

Watch-outs

  • Shelbyville requires public-sewer connection when the ordinance’s location conditions and 150-foot threshold are met; approved private sewage disposal is not a permanent alternative once public sewer becomes available under the ordinance.3
  • We could not confirm Shelbyville’s private-well approval requirements or a complete private-land RV occupancy rule; ask Planning & Building to identify the appropriate office and address-specific requirements.12
  • Shelbyville requires a floodplain development permit before development in special flood hazard areas, in addition to applicable building approval.101

Sources

  1. § 152.06 Permit Required; Application (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning Ordinance (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  3. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  4. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Shelby County: Environmental Division, quoted and re-checked
  6. Zoning Ordinance (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  7. shelbyville.in.gov (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  8. shelbyville.in.gov (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  9. Article 5: Development Standards (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  10. § 159.12 Establishment of Floodplain Development Permit (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  11. § 152.05 Adoption of Building Rules, Codes and Standards by Reference (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  12. Shelbyville Planning & Building Department — Planning Services (shelbyville.in.gov)
  13. Shelbyville Planning & Building Department (shelbyville.in.gov)
  14. Article 5: Development Standards (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  15. Article 5: Development Standards (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  16. Article 5: Development Standards (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  17. Zoning Ordinance (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  18. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  19. Shelby County: Environmental Division, quoted and re-checked
  20. Shelby County Health Department — Environmental Division (in.gov)
  21. § 152.14 Certificate of Occupancy (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  22. § 152.08 Fees and Required Inspections (Shelbyville), quoted and re-checked
  23. Shelby County: Plan Commission, 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 Shelbyville

Shelbyville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, or structural repair of buildings and structures inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • Ordinary repairs are nonstructural repairs and do not include work involving sewer, drainage, electrical wiring, mechanical work, or other work for which a permit is required.
    • Applications require construction plans and a plot plan; Class I structures covered by a design release require a copy of the design release before permit issuance.
    • Class II permits expire if work is not completed and a certificate of occupancy is not issued within one year; Class I permits expire after two years.
    “A permit shall be obtained before beginning construction, alteration, or making structural repairs to any building or structure”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner performing work on a home the homeowner owns and lives in inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • The city page states that the homeowner may pull a permit and complete most work personally.
    • The homeowner must both own and live in the home to qualify for homeowner exemptions under state and local law.
    • A permit is still required for the work.
    “The only exception to these requirements is when a homeowner is performing work on the house they own and live in. In this instance the homeowner does not need to get registered as a building contractor, but they must obtain a permit for the work prior to beginning the work.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction, alteration, and repair inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • The city incorporates listed Indiana Administrative Code building, residential, manufactured-home, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, energy, and swimming-pool rules by reference, including later amendments as published with effective dates.
    “Building rules of the State Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission as set out in the following Articles of Title 675 of the Indiana Administrative Code are hereby incorporated by reference in this code”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • The ordinance lists five inspections for detached one- or two-family dwellings, three for manufactured homes, one for accessory buildings, and two for additions.
    • The Building Inspector may increase inspections by 50% for unusually large or complex buildings.
    • Foundations, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and thermal-insulation work require inspection before concrete placement or concealment.
    • Reinspection fees may apply.

    detached one- or two-family dwelling inspections: 5 inspections · manufactured home inspections: 3 inspections · accessory building inspections: 1 inspection · addition inspections: 2 inspections

    “After issuance of any building permit, the Building Inspector shall make inspections for the work being done as defined on the building permit”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings and structures erected, altered, or repaired after adoption of the city building code inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • A full, partial, or temporary certificate may satisfy the occupancy requirement.
    • The structure must comply with the city building code before issuance.
    “It shall be unlawful to occupy any such building or structure unless a full, partial, or temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued by the Building Commissioner.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Shelbyville city limits; the City administers its Unified Development Ordinance through its Planning and Building Department, Plan Commission, and Board of Zoning Appeals.

    • The city zoning ordinance and subdivision control ordinance are combined in the Unified Development Ordinance.
    “The City of Shelbyville's Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Control Ordinance have been combined into a single Unified Development Ordinance (UDO)”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • The city publishes Article 2: Zoning Districts, Article 5: Development Standards, and an Appendix Land Use Matrix as components of the Unified Development Ordinance.
    • Numeric district layouts are contained in Article 2.
    “All land within the jurisdiction of the Shelbyville Plan Commission has been assigned a specific Zoning District and in some instances an accompanying Overlay Zoning District.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Dwelling units in zoning districts inside Shelbyville city limits; the applicable district layout in Article 2 controls the minimum size.

    • The reviewed official Article 5 text cross-references the two-page layout for the applicable zoning district in Article 2.
    • The numeric district value was not available in the opened excerpt.
    “The minimum dwelling unit size shall be per each two‑page layout in Article 2: Zoning Districts.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures inside Shelbyville city limits; front, side, and rear setbacks are controlled by the applicable zoning-district layout, with additional floodplain, wetland, stream, and infill provisions.

    • If a setback standard does not appear on a district layout, it does not apply to that district.
    • Residential subdivision infill lots may use an established setback when the subdivision is substantially built out, but the infill exception does not apply to institutional, commercial, or industrial-zoned property.
    • Front setbacks are measured from the right-of-way line.
    • A structure must be at least 75 feet from the water's edge of natural streams and rivers; structures must be at least 15 feet from delineated wetlands and 25 feet from the delineated floodplain boundary.
    • Architectural features may extend three feet and chimneys two feet into setbacks, subject to the three-foot property-line minimum.
    “If a setback standard does not appear on the two‑page layout for a zoning district, then the standard does not apply to that particular zoning district.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots inside Shelbyville city limits; the applicable zoning-district layout controls maximum lot coverage.

    • If a density or intensity standard does not appear on the district layout, no density or intensity standard applies to that district.
    “The maximum lot coverage shall be as indicated on the applicable two‑page layout in Article 2: Zoning Districts.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Structures inside Shelbyville city limits; the applicable zoning-district layout controls maximum primary and accessory structure height.

    • Height is measured from grade at the lowest point of the structure base to the highest point on the structure.
    • Church steeples, spires, belfries, cupolas, and utility transmission towers and poles may exceed permitted height by two-fold.
    • Necessary mechanical appurtenances, water tanks, chimneys, fire towers, stair towers, and elevator bulkheads may exceed district height by up to ten feet.
    • Agricultural product storage and processing structures may exceed district height as necessary, except commercial agricultural structures such as grain terminals.
    • Water towers may reach 200 feet.
    • FAA and airport overlay restrictions still apply.

    water tower maximum height: 200 feet

    “The maximum primary structure height shall be per each two‑page layout in Article 2: Zoning Districts.”
  • Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

    Accessory dwellings inside Shelbyville city limits where permitted by the applicable zoning district and accessory-use table.

    • An accessory dwelling must be part of the primary structure or a detached garage on the same lot serving the primary structure.
    • The accessory dwelling may not exceed 600 square feet of living area.
    • The permitted-accessory-use table identifies accessory dwellings as special exceptions in the Agriculture and Agricultural/Rural Residential districts.

    maximum accessory dwelling living area: <= 600 square feet

    “In no case may any accessory dwelling exceed 600 square feet in living area.”
  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Shelbyville city limits where a public sanitary or combined sewer is unavailable under the city ordinance.

    • The Board of Public Works and Safety issues the written private sewage-disposal permit.
    • The system must comply with the ordinance's private-system provisions and Indiana State Board of Health recommendations.
    • Where public sewer is available within 150 feet of the property line, direct public-sewer connection is required instead.

    public sewer connection threshold: <= 150 feet from property line (Private sewage disposal may apply where public sewer is not available under the ordinance.)

    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner or agent of the owner, shall first obtain a written permit from the Board of Public Works and Safety.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Shelbyville city limits where public sewer is unavailable under the city ordinance.

    • A written permit from the Board of Public Works and Safety must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The application is filed with the Clerk-Treasurer and may require plans, specifications, and other information.
    • A permit and inspection fee set by the Board is due when the application is filed.
    “The application for such permit shall be made to the Clerk-Treasurer on a form furnished by the city, which the applicant shall supplement by any plans, specifications and other information as are deemed necessary by the Board of Public Works and Safety.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • The authority may inspect at any stage.
    • The applicant must notify the authority when the work is ready for final inspection and before underground portions are covered.
    • Inspection must occur within 48 hours after notice.

    inspection deadline after notice: <= 48 hours

    “The inspection shall be made within 48 hours of the receipt of notice by the authority or duly authorized representative.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal systems and sanitary privies inside Shelbyville city limits where public sewer is unavailable under the city ordinance.

    • Except for specified exceptions, the ordinance prohibits construction or maintenance of privies, septic tanks, cesspools, or other sewage-disposal facilities.
    • Private systems and privies must comply with the ordinance and Indiana State Board of Health recommendations.
    • Public sewer connection is required when available under the ordinance.
    “At any house, building or property used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes, situated within the city, where there is installed a water carriage sewage disposal system which is not connected to a proper public sewer system, there shall be established, installed or constructed and maintained at no expense to the city, a private sewage disposal system which shall comply with the recommendations of the Indiana State Board of Health.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Houses, buildings, and properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Shelbyville city limits when a public sanitary or combined sewer is located or may be located in the abutting street, alley, or right-of-way and is within 150 feet of the property line.

    • Connection is at the owner's expense.
    • A written sewer connection permit is required before connection.
    • The city requires direct connection when public sewer becomes available and requires abandonment and safe sanitary filling of septic tanks, seepage pits, privy pits, and similar facilities.
    • Where public sewer is unavailable under the ordinance, a compliant private sewage disposal system may be used.

    public sewer distance: <= 150 feet from property line (Private sewage disposal system may apply where public sewer is unavailable.)

    “The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purpose, situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located a public sanitary or combined sewer of the city, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this section, provided that said public sewer is within 150 feet of the property line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and development inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • The city's zoning ordinance and subdivision control ordinance are combined into a Unified Development Ordinance.
    • Improvement Location Permits require conformity with the zoning ordinance, subdivision control ordinance, and other applicable city regulations.
    • Site Development Plan review and approval may be required before an Improvement Location Permit.
    “No Improvement Location Permit shall be issued unless the project is in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Control Ordinance and all other applicable regulations of the City of Shelbyville.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development activities inside areas of special flood hazard within Shelbyville city limits.

    • The floodplain development permit must conform to Chapter 159.
    • The requirement applies before commencement of any development activities in areas of special flood hazard.
    “A floodplain development permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities in areas of special flood hazard.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building, Improvement Location, Right-of-Way, electrical, fire, mechanical, plumbing, and sign permits inside Shelbyville city limits.

    • Applications must be completed in full and accompanied by required supplementary information.
    • Contractors must be registered before submitting permit applications, with stated registration, insurance, and surety-bond requirements.
    • Building, Improvement Location, and Right-of-Way permits typically take 3 to 5 days; most other permits are issued immediately.
    • Permit holders must call for required inspections, including final inspections.

    typical review time for building, improvement location, and right-of-way permits: 3 to 5 days time

    “These applications must be completed in full and be accompanied with any required supplementary information when submitted to our office.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Shelbyville or Shelby County directly.

  • Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Shelbyville city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land inside Shelbyville city limits.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Shelbyville city limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Shelbyville city limits.
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured-home occupancy inside Shelbyville city limits.
4 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Shelbyville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Shelby County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Shelby County: county rules, score and offices