Bolthole Index

Spencer County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic in Hammond Township, Indiana

Unincorporated Hammond Township, Indiana requires a Spencer County building permit for new construction costing more than $2,000.1 Spencer County administers zoning outside incorporated towns and cities, rather than Hammond Township.2 Septic systems in Hammond Township go through the Spencer County Health Department.3

At a glance

Building permits
County building permit for new construction over $2,0001
Zoning
Spencer County administers zoning outside incorporated limits2
Septic permits
Spencer County Health Department; permit before system construction34
RV living
Special exception for recreational vehicles longer than 180 days; shorter stays need parcel-specific confirmation5
Minimum home size
760 square feet for primary dwellings in A Agricultural and residential buildings in R167
Manufactured homes
Type A and B homes need zoning compliance and permanent foundations8

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

Planning & zoning

Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector

County-administered requirements for unincorporated Hammond Township

(812) 649-6010

[email protected]

Planning & zoning

Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector

County-administered requirements for unincorporated Hammond Township

(812) 649-6010

[email protected]

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 Hammond 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 Hammond Township, IN?

For unincorporated Hammond Township, the Spencer County building-permit office requires a building permit before new construction costing more than $2,000 or alteration, remodeling or repair costing more than $5,000.1 Hammond Township construction under county building regulations follows the incorporated Indiana building and residential codes.9 The county also charges an improvement-location permit fee in addition to building-permit fees.1 We could not confirm an owner-builder exemption; ask the Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector before treating a self-built home as exempt.10

Who issues building permits in Hammond Township?

The Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector is the building-permit contact for unincorporated Hammond Township; call (812) 649-6010.1 The planning office is at 200 Main Street, RM 3- 1st floor Rockport, IN 47635, and asks visitors to call ahead to make sure the administrator is available.10 Building-permit applications need building plans, contractor contact information, a recorded deed, a site plan, estimated completion date and estimated cost/value, plus a septic permit or sewer receipt when required.1 Building permits may not be available on the day an application is submitted.1

Does Hammond Township have zoning and minimum lot sizes?

Spencer County administers zoning for Hammond Township land outside incorporated towns and cities; county jurisdiction does not extend inside those municipal limits.2 In the R1 One-Family Zone, lots with individual well and septic need a minimum net site area of 43,560 square feet and a required lot area of 38,000 square feet, with 100 feet of width at the front building line.11 The R1 table separately lists 21,780 square feet of minimum net site area for public or approved community sewer service, while retaining 38,000 square feet of required lot area; ask planning to explain both measurements for the parcel.11 Lot coverage is capped at 35% in R1 and 20% in the A Agricultural Zone, subject to the ordinance’s exceptions.1213 Ask planning to confirm setbacks before placing a house or accessory building.10

How do septic permits work inside Hammond Township?

The Spencer County Health Department administers onsite sewage disposal in Hammond Township and uses the proposed home size and site/soil profile to tailor the system.3 A valid onsite sewage system permit is required before system construction; the county procedure includes plan submission, review, approval or denial, a site inspection of approved plans and permit issuance.4 Call the health department at 812-649-4441 for the septic process.14 Spencer County-wide soil data rates only 11.6% of soils not limited for conventional drain fields; that indicates the need for site evaluation and potentially an engineered system, rather than showing septic is impossible.15

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

For unincorporated Hammond Township under county zoning, recreational vehicles used longer than 180 days require a special-exception permit, with a $100 filing fee and a public hearing before the Board of Zoning Appeals.5 The county warns that additional restrictions can depend on location and use, so ask planning about the proposed stay before using the duration threshold as permission for shorter occupancy.5 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy rule; ask the county planning office to classify the proposed home.10 Residential buildings in R1 and primary dwellings in A Agricultural must have at least 760 square feet, excluding unenclosed porches, terraces and garages.76 Permanent Type A and B manufactured homes must exceed 700 square feet, meet the applicable district minimum and be anchored to a compliant permanent foundation.8

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

  1. Confirm the parcel is outside incorporated limits and ask county planning to identify the zoning district and review the proposed use.2
  2. Arrange the health department’s site/soil evaluation and obtain the septic permit before constructing the sewage system.34
  3. Resolve new driveway access with the County Garage for a county road or the State Highway Department in Tell City for a state highway, and show the driveway on the site plan.16
  4. Submit the building-permit application and required documents; begin construction within 90 days after permit issuance.1
  5. Notify the building inspector at applicable construction stages, including footings, rough work and final inspection.17

For land elsewhere outside incorporated limits, see the Spencer County guide.2

Watch-outs

  • Hammond Township floodplain construction needs an elevation certificate showing the new structure at least 2 feet above Base Flood Elevation.18
  • We could not confirm general private-well permitting or approval for composting toilets and other off-grid sanitation in Hammond Township; ask the Spencer County Health Department.14
  • Division of Hammond Township land for sale or development generally must comply with the Spencer County Subdivision Ordinance unless an exemption applies.19

Sources

  1. Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector (in.gov)
  2. Spencer County Zoning Ordinance, §157.003 Definitions (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Spencer County Health Department: Environmental Sanitation (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Spencer County Health Department: Environmental Sanitation, quoted and re-checked
  5. Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector (in.gov)
  6. §157.065 Agricultural Zone (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. §157.075 R1 One-Family Zone (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. §157.013 Manufactured Housing Standards (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  9. §151.017 Adoption of Rules by Reference (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Spencer County Plan Commission and Building Inspector (in.gov)
  11. §157.075 R1 One-Family Zone (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. §157.075 R1 One-Family Zone (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. §157.065 Agricultural Zone (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Spencer County Health Department (in.gov)
  15. 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
  16. in.gov (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. Spencer County: When to Notify the Building Inspector (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. Spencer County: Building Permits (Hammond Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Spencer County: Subdivision Exemptions (Hammond Township), 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 Hammond Township

Rules another office applies inside Hammond Township

Hammond 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 code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction inside Hammond township under Spencer County's building regulations.

    • The county incorporates Title 675 Indiana Administrative Code rules and later amendments.
    • The incorporated rules include state building, residential, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, energy, swimming pool, fire, migrant daycare, and fuel gas codes.
    • A variance granted by the Building Commissioner is ineffective until approved by the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission.
    “the rules of the State Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission [...] are hereby incorporated by reference in this code”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted construction inside Hammond township.

    • Inspection notification is required at each listed step if applicable.
    • The county requests 24-hour notice if possible.
    • Listed steps include footings, underground plumbing, framing, rough electrical, rough plumbing, rough heating and air conditioning, gas meter, electrical, and final inspection.
    “Notify the Building Inspector at each step if applicable. Please give 24hr notice if possible.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Hammond township that is within Spencer County's unincorporated zoning jurisdiction; Spencer County administers the zoning rules rather than Hammond township.

    • The Spencer County zoning jurisdiction is defined as the portion of Spencer County lying outside incorporated towns and cities.
    • Incorporated municipal limits are outside this claim.
    “JURISDICTION. That portion of Spencer County, Indiana lying outside of the limits of incorporated towns and cities”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Residential buildings in Spencer County A Agricultural Zone inside Hammond township.

    • The minimum is 760 square feet per primary dwelling unit.
    • Additional units require 480 square feet each.
    • The floor-area measurement excludes unenclosed porches, terraces, and garages.

    minimum primary dwelling floor area: >= 760 square feet per primary dwelling unit (exclusive of unenclosed porches, terraces and garages) · minimum additional-unit floor area: >= 480 square feet per additional unit

    “760 square feet per primary dwelling unit”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential buildings in Spencer County R1 One-Family Zone inside Hammond township.
      “No building shall be erected for residential purposes having a floor area of less than 760 square feet, exclusive of unenclosed porches, terraces and garages.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential structures in Spencer County R1 One-Family Zone inside Hammond township.

    • Minimum front-building-line width is 100 feet.
    • Minimum net site area is 43,560 square feet for individual well and septic, and 21,780 square feet for public or approved community sewer or water systems.
    • Required lot area is 38,000 square feet in each listed service condition.
    • Additional lot area may be required by health, environmental, or subdivision rules.

    minimum front-building-line width: >= 100 feet · minimum net site area with individual well and septic: >= 43560 square feet · minimum net site area with public/community service: >= 21780 square feet · required lot area: >= 38000 square feet

    “If served by individual well and septic tank 100 43,560 38,000 If served by public or other approved community sewer system 100 21,780 38,000 If served by public or other approved community sewer and water system 100 21,780 38,000”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Residential structures in Spencer County A Agricultural Zone inside Hammond township.
      “If served by individual well septic tank 100 43,560 1 2 38,000 20,000 If served by public or other approved community water or sewer system 100 21,780 1 2 18,000 20,000”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    A Agricultural Zone inside Hammond township.

    • Exceptions to yard regulations are provided in §157.121.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 20 percent

    “Not more than 20% of the area of a lot may be covered by buildings and structures.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R1 One-Family Zone inside Hammond township.
      “Not more than 35% of the area of the lot may be covered by buildings or structures.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Dwellings in A Agricultural Zone inside Hammond township.

    • Exceptions to height regulations are provided in §157.120.

    maximum dwelling height: <= 35 feet (maximum two and one-half stories)

    “Maximum height of a dwelling shall be two and one-half stories, not to exceed 35 feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Dwellings in R1 One-Family Zone inside Hammond township.
      “Maximum height of dwelling shall be two stories, not to exceed 35 feet.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Permanent Type A and B manufactured-home residence inside Hammond township.

    • The home must be permitted on the lot under the county zoning chapter.
    • It must meet single-family-dwelling requirements.
    • It must exceed 700 square feet of occupied space and meet the appropriate zone's minimum square footage.
    • It must be attached and anchored to a permanent foundation complying with the Indiana One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code and manufacturer specifications.
    • Manufactured-home parks require a preliminary development plan and special exception process.

    minimum occupied space: > 700 square feet (and appropriate-zone minimum applies)

    “The home shall be larger than 700 square feet of occupied space and meet the minimum square footage requirements for the appropriate zone;”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Onsite sewage disposal inside Hammond township.

    • The Spencer County Health Department administers the county onsite sewage disposal program.
    • The program uses home size and site/soil profile information to tailor systems.
    “Our onsite sewage disposal program follows a procedure”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land inside Hammond township for sale or future development.

    • Divisions generally must conform to the Spencer County Subdivision Ordinance.
    • Exemptions include qualifying one-acre individual-well/septic or one-half-acre municipal/regional-sewer divisions with 100 feet of road frontage, certain existing parcels, five-acre divisions, legal-description corrections, estate or court transfers, government right-of-way acquisitions, adjoining-lot transfers without new principal building sites, and cemetery plots.

    minimum exempt lot area with individual well/septic: >= 1 acre (100 feet road frontage and no new street) · minimum exempt lot area with municipal/regional sewer: >= 0.5 acre (100 feet road frontage and no new street)

    “shall conform to the Spencer County Subdivision Ordinance, except for the following division, which shall be considered exempt from said ordinance:”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New driveway access serving land inside Hammond township.

    • 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, highway/county-road number or street name, and directions must appear on the site plan.
    “If you are constructing a new driveway off a state highway, you must contact the State Highway Department in Tell City (812) 836-2111. If constructing a new driveway off a county road, you must contact the County Garage (812) 362-8331.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New structures on floodplain property inside Hammond township.

    • An elevation certificate is required for the building application.
    • The new structure must be at least two feet above the Base Flood Elevation.
    • The requirement applies when the property is in the floodplain.

    minimum elevation above Base Flood Elevation: >= 2 feet

    “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.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemptions inside Hammond township.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside an approved campground or RV park inside Hammond township.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Hammond township.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Hammond township.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation systems inside Hammond township.
3 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • 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.

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

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