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

Rules another office applies inside Lincoln Township

Lincoln 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)

  Septic (on-site sewage) systems on land inside Lincoln township, St. Joseph County, Indiana; the county code applies countywide and therefore reaches land in Lincoln township.

  • The St. Joseph County Department of Health (the health department of St. Joseph County, Indiana) administers septic permits, licenses, inspections and enforcement under County Code Chapter 51.
  • Chapter 51 incorporates by reference all Indiana State Department of Health rules related to septic systems (Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 for residential onsite systems), so state rules also govern design.
  • Where county and state requirements conflict, the most restrictive requirement applies.
  • Land inside any incorporated municipality within the township is outside this claim; it follows that municipality's rules.
  • Not verified on an official page for Lincoln township itself: this claim relies on the county code's countywide applicability.

  “this chapter applies to the design, installation, repair, inspection, protection and maintenance of any septic system installed or proposed to be installed in the county.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing, replacing, or repairing an on-site septic system on land inside Lincoln township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, issued by the St. Joseph County Department of Health.

  • Construction may proceed only after the health department issues the permit.
  • New construction: the owner obtains a soil report from a certified soil scientist with three soil borings; the proposed system area must be roped off with steel posts, rope and signs before the design is submitted, or the application is rejected.
  • Permit application, soil reports and a non-refundable fee go to the health department; personal checks are not accepted.
  • The contractor's design must meet state law, county code and the health department's specifications; variances go through a written variance request.
  • No deviation from the permit is allowed unless approved in advance.
  • Only persons employed by a company holding a current septic contractor license may install or repair septic systems under permit.

  soil borings required for new septic system: 3 borings (for the area of the new septic system)

  “a permit from the department of health must be obtained to install, replace, or repair a septic system.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Septic system installations on land inside Lincoln township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, inspected by the St. Joseph County Department of Health.

  • The health department conducts a site inspection and reviews the design before issuing a permit.
  • The contractor must call the health department 24 hours before installation is ready for inspection; for certain system types the health department performs several inspections during construction.
  • Final approval comes from the health department after a final inspection; the owner may begin using the system only after that approval.
  • The health department gives priority to residents with failed systems and to extenuating circumstances.
  • Not verified for building-permit or building-inspection purposes: this claim covers only the septic system.

  “the contractor calls the department of health 24 hours in advance of when the installation will be ready for an inspection.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Septic permit application fees only (residential), charged by the St. Joseph County Department of Health for land inside Lincoln township. No building-permit fee schedule for Lincoln township was located.

  • Fees are non-refundable and must be paid by cash, MasterCard or Visa, money order, cashier's check or business check; personal checks are not accepted.
  • The fee schedule is shown on the health department's residential procedures document as posted; the document's date is not stated on the opened copy.

  residential new construction septic permit application fee: 275 USD · residential replacement septic permit application fee: 275 USD · residential repair septic permit application fee: 100 USD

  “permit application fees for residential construction are as follows: residential new construction installation residential replacement installation residential repair $275 $275 $100”

• Permit processPartial

  Septic permit process only, administered by the St. Joseph County Department of Health for land inside Lincoln township. The building-permit process for new homes was not located.

  • Steps: soil report; submit soil reports, application and fee; health department issues minimum design specifications; licensed installer designs and bids; design review; site inspection; permit issued; installation; inspection; final approval.
  • Health department review of designs is the most common cause of delay, and revisions go back to the contractor.
  • Published typical timeframes: soil borings up to 10 days; specifications up to 5 days after application; installer design up to 10 days; permit up to 5 days after a complete design.

  health department permit issuance after complete design: <= 5 days (typical timeframe stated by the health department, not a legal deadline)

  “department of health issuing a permit after receipt of a complete design: up to 5 days”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permit for a new home inside Lincoln township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a home built by the owner inside Lincoln township
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted for new residential construction inside Lincoln township
• Inspections — Building inspection of a new home inside Lincoln township (septic inspection is covered separately)
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home inside Lincoln township

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.