Bolthole Index

Spencer County, Indiana

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

60Index Score / 100
#38 of 92 in Indiana

Spencer County, Indiana requires a building permit for new construction costing more than $2,000 and for alterations, remodeling or repairs costing more than $5,0001. The county also has zoning districts, while the Spencer County Health Department permits and inspects onsite sewage systems23. Start with the Plan Commission and Building Inspector before designing around a rural parcel4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction above $2,000 and alterations, remodeling or repairs above $5,0001
Zoning
County zoning districts and a zoning map are in effect25
Septic permits
Spencer County Health Department provides permits, consultations and inspections3
RV living
Residential RV use on a private parcel is unconfirmed; ask the Plan Commission before buying or moving an RV onsite24
Tiny homes
No countywide tiny-home occupancy answer is confirmed; parcel zoning still applies26
Owner-builder
No exemption from county permit or inspection requirements is confirmed7
Private wells
Indiana says some local health departments require permits; ask county health about this parcel8
Septic soil difficulty
Only 11.6% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field9

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector

Building permits, inspections, zoning, improvement-location permits and floodplain application questions

(812) 649-6010

[email protected]

200 Main Street, RM 3- 1st floor, Rockport, IN 47635

Septic permits

Spencer County Health Department

Onsite sewage disposal permits, consultations and inspections for new and replacement systems

812-649-4441

200 Main Street, Room 1, Rockport, IN 47635

Roads & driveways

Spencer County Highway Department

Driveway culvert permits, enclosed storm-drain permits and work in county road rights-of-way

(812) 362-8331

[email protected]

920 E. 800 N, Chrisney, IN 47611

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

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

Yes. Spencer County requires a building permit before new construction costing more than $2,000 or alteration, remodeling or repair costing more than $5,0001. A permit is also listed for an inground pool, qualifying electrical, plumbing or mechanical work, HVAC installation, and installation or modification of an underground storage tank1. Indiana has adopted statewide building and residential codes, while local jurisdictions retain authority over permits, plan review and inspection schedules1011. Spencer County asks for notice at each applicable inspection stage and requests 24-hour notice when possible12. The county has not confirmed an owner-builder exemption, so an owner planning to perform the work should ask the Plan Commission and Building Inspector what credentials and inspections will apply74.

Who issues Spencer County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector is the starting point for building permits and zoning questions132. The office is at 200 Main Street, Room 3 on the first floor in Rockport; call (812) 649-6010 or email [email protected]4. Call before visiting because the county describes it as a one-person office whose administrator may be away4. Permit fees are calculated after the Plan Commission receives all required information, an improvement-location permit fee is added to the building-permit fee, and the office accepts cash or checks14. For a county-road driveway, contact the Spencer County Highway Department at (812) 362-8331; its official page lists driveway culvert and county right-of-way permits1516. A driveway connecting to a state highway instead requires permission from INDOT through its electronic permit system17.

Does Spencer County have zoning?

Yes. Spencer County has adopted zoning districts and a zoning map administered through the county's planning system25. The published districts include agricultural, residential, business and industrial categories, so a rural address alone does not establish that a proposed home, business or accessory use is allowed5. The county also publishes road-based setbacks: 60 feet from a secondary county-road right-of-way, 70 feet from a primary road or highway, 75 feet from an arterial highway and 30 feet from a local residential right-of-way18. Accessory buildings must remain at least 5 feet from the rear property line and 10 feet from the side property line18. Those distances do not answer every parcel question, so ask the Plan Commission to identify the zoning district and applicable use approval before choosing a building location24. County sources do not confirm a general minimum home size, lot coverage or building-height rule in the available information; the Plan Commission is the office to ask4.

How do septic permits work in Spencer County?

The Spencer County Health Department administers onsite sewage disposal and provides permits, consultations and inspections for new and replacement systems3. Call 812-649-4441 or visit 200 Main Street, Room 1 in Rockport19. The county tailors a system to the home's size and the property's site and soil profile3. That site work matters here because only 11.6% of Spencer County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field9. Indiana's residential onsite sewage rule is administered locally under state review, and a dwelling not connected to sewer generally needs a compliant septic tank and soil-absorption system2021. Drywells and cesspools are not allowed as onsite sewage treatment, while a temporary holding tank is limited to defined circumstances and written state approval21. Get the septic permit or sewer receipt before the building application when one is required22.

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

Spencer County has not published a confirmed blanket answer for residential RV occupancy or tiny-home occupancy on a private parcel, so ask the Plan Commission about the parcel's zoning district and proposed use before buying or placing a unit24. Indiana's campground rule does not answer that private-land question: it governs regulated campgrounds and excludes tracts divided into individually deeded lots23. The state rule allows no more than one recreational vehicle or vacation mobile home on a designated campground campsite, but that is not statewide permission to live in an RV on separately deeded land23. A structure used as a dwelling must also fit the county permit process and Indiana construction codes that apply to its design and use110. Off-grid sanitation is a separate constraint because Indiana generally requires a compliant septic tank and soil-absorption system where a dwelling is not served by sewer21.

Building a home in Spencer County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Plan Commission to confirm the parcel's zoning district, allowed residential use and applicable setbacks218.
  1. Resolve access: show the driveway on the site plan, contact the County Garage for a county-road entrance, or use INDOT's permit system for a state-highway connection1517.
  1. Work with the Health Department on the site and soil profile, then obtain the septic permit or sewer receipt if required322.
  1. Assemble building plans, contractor contact information, the recorded deed, site plan, estimated completion date and estimated project value22.
  1. Submit the permit application and allow for review because a permit may not be available the same day22.
  1. Post the issued permit, begin construction within 90 days and notify the Building Inspector at each applicable inspection stage2212.
  1. If the property is in a floodplain, provide an elevation certificate showing the new structure at least 2 feet above base flood elevation24.

What should you check before buying land in Spencer County?

Check septic feasibility first: only 11.6% of county soils avoid severe limits for a conventional drain field, and the Health Department designs approval around the home size and the site's soil profile93. Confirm the zoning district, road setback and whether a planned land split must follow the subdivision ordinance before relying on a seller's description51825. Check the flood map before placing a home because a floodplain building application needs an elevation certificate showing the structure at least 2 feet above base flood elevation24. Verify whether the Health Department requires a private-well permit for the parcel because Indiana's statewide guidance says some local health departments do8. For carrying costs, the county's effective property-tax rate is about 0.6% and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,1382627. Spencer County averages 49.3 inches of precipitation annually, while severe drought occurred in 3.2% of measured years2829.

Watch-outs

  • Do not treat a rural Spencer County parcel as unrestricted: county zoning districts and published setbacks still shape where and what you can build218.
  • A building permit may not be issued the day you apply, and construction must begin within 90 days after issuance22.
  • Residential RV use, tiny-home occupancy, owner-builder exemptions and private-well permits are not confirmed countywide; ask the Plan Commission and Health Department about the specific parcel278419.

Sources

  1. Spencer County: Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Spencer County Schedule of Uses and Zoning Map Definitions (2026 county census)
  3. Spencer County Health Department: Environmental Sanitation, quoted and re-checked
  4. Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector (in.gov)
  5. Spencer County: Schedule of Uses and Zoning Map Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  6. Spencer County: Schedule of Uses and Zoning Map Definitions, quoted and re-checked
  7. (2026 county census)
  8. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  10. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. DHS: Boards and Commissions (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Spencer County: When to Notify the Building Inspector, quoted and re-checked
  13. Spencer County: Building Permits (2026 county census)
  14. Spencer County: Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  15. Spencer County: Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  16. Spencer County Highway Department (in.gov)
  17. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Spencer County: Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  19. Spencer County Health Department (in.gov)
  20. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Spencer County: Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  23. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Spencer County: Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  25. Spencer County: Subdivision Exemptions/ Land Division, quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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

Spencer County in Indiana

60
County map
Spencer County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Spencer County scores

Seclusion31100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency72100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability59100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost78100% 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 →

$238kTypical home
0.6%Property tax
$6,525Land / acre
49.3"Annual rain
3.2% of yrsSevere drought
10.1 / yr (+9.4)Mid-century 100°F days
14 daysMid-century dry spell
2.12" (+10.2%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.81×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,517Home insurance / yr
1.1% / yrInsurance growth
0.95%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
120,169People within 30 min
2,865,820People within 2 hr
44,489Radius comparison (15 mi)
50.2People / sq mi
0.3%Federal land
92%Land at 15% slope or less
11.6%Septic soil without severe limits
28,837 acWorkable land screen
28.2%Wooded land
44.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
56.4°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Spencer County

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

Spencer County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction and specified alterations, repairs, installations, and utility work in Spencer County.

    • New construction costing more than $2,000 requires a building permit before work begins.
    • Alteration, remodeling, or repair costing more than $5,000 requires a permit.
    • Inground pools, qualifying electrical/plumbing/mechanical work, HVAC installation, and underground storage tank installation or modification are also listed.
    • Construction must start within 90 days after issuance; the permit must be posted; substantial changes or delay may require a new permit.

    new construction threshold: > 2000 USD · alteration/remodeling/repair threshold: > 5000 USD · electrical/plumbing/mechanical threshold: > 750 USD · construction start deadline: 90 days (The permit does not expire while reasonable progress is being made and the permitted structure remains the same.)

    “You Should Obtain a Building Permit Before Beginning any new construction of a building or structure the cost of which exceeds $2,000; or Beginning any alteration, remodeling or repair of any building or structure the cost of which exceeds $5,000.00; or”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Applicable permitted construction in Spencer County.

    • The page says notification is required at each step if applicable.
    • The listed steps include footings, underground plumbing, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough heating and air conditioning, gas meter, electrical, and final inspection.
    • The page requests 24-hour notice if possible.

    notice period: 24 hours (if possible)

    “Notify the Building Inspector at each step if applicable. Please give 24hr notice if possible.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Spencer County zoning administered through county zoning districts and map definitions.

    • The cited source describes county zoning districts; it does not establish zoning rules for incorporated municipalities separately.
    “(R-1) Residential Zone --- This area is preserved for the use of single family dwellings. Accessory buildings, swimming pools and uses customarily incidental to single family use are permitted.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Spencer County zoning districts and zoning-map definitions.

    • The official page defines Agriculture, R-1 Residential, R-2 Residential, B-1 Neighborhood Business, B-2 Rural Business, B-3 General Business, I-1 Light Industrial, and I-2 Heavy Industrial zones.
    • The cited page links to a separate Schedule of Uses.
    “(I-2) Heavy Industrial Zone --- Production of products that create noise, vapors or other side effects that are unpleasant or require close supervision by governmental agencies.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings and accessory buildings subject to the Spencer County building-permit information.

    • The page identifies setbacks from state or county right-of-way lines.
    • Accessory buildings must be at least 5 feet from the back property line and 10 feet from the side property line.

    secondary county road setback: 60 feet · primary road or highway setback: 70 feet · arterial highway setback: 75 feet · local residential setback: 30 feet · accessory building rear setback: 5 feet · accessory building side setback: 10 feet

    “Required setbacks from state or county right-of-way lines: Secondary Road (County Road) | 60' Primary Road (Blacktop, Highway) | 70' Arterial Highway | 75' Local (Residential) | 30' Accessory Buildings must be at least 5' from the back property line, and 10' from the side property line.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage disposal administration in Spencer County.

    • The Spencer County Health Department administers an onsite sewage disposal program and provides permits, consultations, and inspections.
    “Our onsite sewage disposal program follows a procedure using the size of the home and the site/soil profile information, to tailor onsite sewage disposal systems to each individual site.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of lots, tracts, or parcels for sale or future development in Spencer County.

    • Divisions generally must conform to the Spencer County Subdivision Ordinance.
    • The page lists exemptions, including certain one-acre or one-half-acre divisions with specified frontage and access conditions, existing parcels lacking 100 feet of frontage, five-acre divisions with defined access, legal-description corrections, estate or court distributions, government right-of-way acquisitions, adjoining-lot transfers, and cemetery plots.

    minimum lot area for listed septic/well exemption: >= 1 acre (One-half acre if served by municipal or regional sewer system.) · minimum road frontage for listed exemption: >= 100 feet (At least one-third must abut the parcel being split, with at least 33 feet of abutting frontage.)

    “Any division of a lot, tract, or parcel of land into two or more lots, plats, sites, or other divisions on the most recent transfer of ownership for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale or future development, shall conform to the Spencer County Subdivision Ordinance, except for the following division, which shall be considered exempt from said ordinance:”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New driveways serving property in Spencer County.

    • For a new driveway off a state highway, contact the State Highway Department in Tell City.
    • For a new driveway off a county road, contact the County Garage.
    • The driveway location and highway, county road number, or street name with directions must be shown on the site plan.
    “These permits must be mailed to Dale Kenney, the Spencer County Highway Superintendent. Permits Driveway Culvert Permit”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New structures on property in a floodplain in Spencer County.

    • An elevation certificate is required for floodplain property when applying for a building permit.
    • The new structure must be at least 2 feet above the Base Flood Elevation.

    minimum elevation: >= 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation

    “If the property is in the Floodplain, you will need an elevation certificate showing the new structure will be at least 2' above the Base Flood Elevation.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Spencer County building and improvement-location permit fees.

    • An improvement-location permit fee is charged in addition to building permit fees.
    • Fees are calculated after all information has been submitted to the Plan Commission.
    • The page lists $60 for permanent and non-portable residential swimming pools, $60 for electrical hookup on liquid storage tanks, and $35 for each relocation, addition, or modification of gas or electric service; the latter states no improvement-location permit is needed.
    • The page states that only cash or checks are accepted.

    permanent/non-portable residential swimming pool: 60 USD · electrical hookup on liquid storage tank: 60 USD · relocation/addition/modification of gas or electric service: 35 USD (No improvement-location permit needed.)

    “Permanent and Non-portable - $60.00 Electrical Hook-up on Liquid Storage Tanks- $60.00”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Spencer County building permit application and construction process.

    • Applicants need building plans, contractor name and phone number, septic permit or sewer receipt if required, recorded deed, site plan, estimated completion date, and estimated cost/value.
    • A non-owner applicant needs a notarized owner permission statement.
    • Floodplain property requires an elevation certificate showing the structure at least 2 feet above base flood elevation.
    • Buildings with employees or public access require a Construction Design Release from Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
    • Permits may not be available the same day; issued permits must be posted; construction must begin within 90 days; substantial changes or delay may require a new permit.

    floodplain elevation margin: >= 2 feet above base flood elevation · construction start deadline: 90 days (The permit does not expire while reasonable progress is being made and the permitted structure remains the same.)

    “To apply for a building permit you will need the following items: A copy of the building plans, Contractor’s name and phone number, Septic permit or sewer receipt, if required, Recorded deed to the property you are building on, Site plan of property, Estimated completion date, Estimated cost/value.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    Spencer County has an adopted zoning ordinance (Chapter 157) with zoning districts and map, administered by the Advisory Plan Commission.

    Spencer County Schedule of Uses and Zoning Map Definitions ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Indiana rules that apply here

  • 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 building and residential codes applicable in Spencer 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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 exemptions from Spencer County building permit or inspection requirements.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements in Spencer County.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements in Spencer County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size requirements in Spencer County zoning or subdivision rules.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Spencer County.
8 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Spencer County, Indiana

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

Spencer County scores 60/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and strong self-sufficiency basics: 49.3″/yr rainfall with little drought. Watch-outs: about 120,169 people within a 30-minute drive and more administrative friction around building and land use.

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

Spencer County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Spencer County Health Department, Environmental Sanitation (Onsite Sewage). 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 Spencer County, Indiana?

Land in Spencer County runs about $6,525 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Spencer County?

Spencer County gets about 49.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.2% of years.

How remote is Spencer County?

A representative private-land location has about 120,169 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,865,820 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 Spencer County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Spencer compares in Indiana

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