Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Centre Township, Indiana

Rules another office applies inside Centre Township

Centre Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite septic systems for land inside Centre township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, under the St. Joseph County Code chapter 51 that the county health department administers countywide (the code's applicability clause covers any septic system installed or proposed in the county)

  • The county code incorporates the Indiana State Department of Health rules for septic systems by reference, so state rules apply through the county.
  • The St. Joseph County Board of Health is the body that issues permits and enforces under chapter 51.
  • The code's applicability clause covers the county as a whole, which includes the part of Centre township inside the South Bend city limits; that part is governed by city rules that were not opened here, so this claim is limited to the township's unincorporated land.
  • No township-level septic rule was found on the Centre township site.

  “any person who installs or repairs any septic system shall first obtain the appropriate permit from the health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing, replacing, or repairing a septic system on land inside Centre township, St. Joseph County, Indiana (county code applies countywide, including the township)

  • Permit categories under § 51.16(b)(2): new construction, replacement, repair, cluster, and operating permits (permit types include: (a) new construction; (b) replacement; (c) repair; (d) cluster; and (e) operating).
  • Fee: a fee is required for all permits; it is prescribed by the county board of commissioners, must be paid when the application is submitted, and is nonrefundable (§ 51.16(a)(3)). Amount not opened.
  • Obtaining the health department permit does not release a person from any other required permit or approval (§ 51.16(a)(4)).
  • Operating permits are required for cluster systems and certain other systems as determined by the health department (§ 51.16(a)(2)).
  • Systems may be installed or repaired only by persons employed by a licensed septic contractor (§ 51.05 contractor definition).
  • Applies to a part of Centre township inside the South Bend city limits only if the city has no contrary rule; not checked.

  “a fee shall be required for all permits and shall be: (a) prescribed by the county board of commissioners; (b) paid at the time the permit application is submitted; and (c) nonrefundable.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  New homes and failing septic systems on land inside Centre township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, where a sanitary sewer is available (county code applies countywide)

  • Applies only when a sanitary sewerage system is available adjacent to the property or adjacent to an easement or right-of-way adjacent to the property.
  • The sewer provider may waive the connection in writing to the health department.
  • The health department may grant a variance if connection costs are prohibitive and there is no compelling public health reason.
  • The health department will follow any decision of the St. Joseph County Regional Water and Sewer District on these questions (§ 51.17(d)(5)).
  • The regional district provides water and sewer services in the unincorporated areas of St. Joseph County (chapter 51 definition of RWSD), so water connection is not established by this claim; water and sewer requirements for the South Bend portion of the township were not checked.
  • Subdivision sewer decisions are made under county code chapter 153 (§ 51.17(d)(2)).

  “if new construction is proposed or a residential or commercial septic system fails and a sanitary sewerage system is available adjacent to the property or adjacent to an easement or right-of-way which is adjacent to the property, the property owner shall connect to the sanitary sewerage system unless a written waiver is provided by the sanitary sewerage system to the health department.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for new dwellings inside Centre township (St. Joseph County, Indiana)
• Owner-builder exemption — Whether an owner may build or install a septic system or dwelling without a licensed contractor inside Centre township (St. Joseph County, Indiana)
• Building code adopted — Which residential building code applies to new construction inside Centre township (St. Joseph County, Indiana)
• Inspections — Whether building inspections are required for construction inside Centre township (St. Joseph County, Indiana)
• Certificate of occupancy — Whether a certificate of occupancy is required before occupying a new dwelling inside Centre township (St. Joseph County, Indiana)

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.