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

Rules another office applies inside Millgrove Township

Millgrove 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)

  Construction and modification of structures in unincorporated Steuben County, including land inside Millgrove township, enforced by the county building department

  • The county building department enforces the minimum standards the state of Indiana establishes; the county page does not name a specific code edition or year.
  • The county page says the county building commission was established by local ordinance in compliance with state code.

  “it grants counties the right to create an agency to assure that construction and modification of all structures within the unincorporated areas meet the minimum standards as established by the state of indiana.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Millgrove township's limits, as unincorporated Steuben County land; applies only where the township has not adopted its own zoning (no township ordinance located). This is the county zoning ordinance, not a Millgrove township ordinance.

  • The county plan commission page says the zoning ordinance, effective 8/1/2008, is available for download under the ordinance section; the current amended text was not opened on an official page.
  • Millgrove township is not among the municipalities the county page lists as having their own plan commissions.
  • Incorporated municipalities with their own zoning (Angola, Fremont, Orland, Hamilton, Ashley-Hudson, Clear Lake) are excluded.

  “guided by the comprehensive plan, the plan commission controls the type, location, and timing of development in unincorporated steuben county.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite sewage systems on land inside Millgrove township, administered by the Steuben County Health Department (SCHD); the county form is countywide and no township-specific statement was found

  • Soil evaluation is done by a registered soil scientist, and the SCHD reviews the construction plan and issues the permit.
  • Assumes Millgrove township is covered by the county health department; no separate township or town health authority was found.

  “the residential onsite sewage system application and the steuben county government permit application form must be filled out and returned to the schd.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New onsite sewage systems on land inside Millgrove township, permitted by the Steuben County Health Department

  • The permit is purchased after the construction plan is approved, following a soil evaluation and plan review.
  • Property owner is responsible for obtaining the onsite system permit before any work on the system.

  “an appointment must be scheduled in advance with the department to purchase an onsite sewage system permit.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Onsite sewage systems on land inside Millgrove township, inspected by the Steuben County Health Department

  • The system must receive final approval from the SCHD before it is used.

  “to see that the onsite system is inspected and given final approval from the schd before it is utilized.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of land into lots in unincorporated Steuben County, including land inside Millgrove township

  • The county plan commission implements the county subdivision control ordinance; the ordinance's thresholds and procedures were not opened.

  “the steuben county plan commission is responsible for the steuben county comprehensive plan, and its implementation through the county zoning ordinance, the subdivision control ordinance, and various policies and practices.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Structures on parcels in the special flood hazard area in unincorporated Steuben County, including land inside Millgrove township

  • Applies only to parcels in the special flood hazard area (SFHA); the county form requires a certificate of elevation for them.

  “property located within the special flood hazard area (sfha) will require certificate of elevation.”

• Permit processPartial

  Onsite sewage permit steps and county permit application for land inside Millgrove township

  • Only the sewage permit process and the county permit application form were opened; the building permit process page was not opened.
  • Plan commission approval requires a recent survey, and building permit review is listed as 5 business days on the county form.

  “the construction plan must be submitted with a survey of the property, a complete onsite materials list, and an elevations for onsite system form.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built homes in unincorporated Steuben County, including land inside Millgrove township
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list covering Millgrove township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in the residential district(s) covering Millgrove township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in the agricultural district covering Millgrove township
• Setbacks — Front, side and rear setbacks in the agricultural and residential districts covering Millgrove 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.