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

Rules another office applies inside Salem Township

Salem 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 permitRequired

  New construction or changes to structures on unincorporated land inside Salem township, Steuben County, Indiana, under the Steuben County government permit application

  • The county form requires detailed scaled site plans and building plans, plus a recent survey for plan commission approval.
  • The form states that work must follow the appropriate building code adopted by the State of Indiana.
  • The form is labeled revised 12/5/20; that revision label is not treated as an effective date.
  • Municipal permits within incorporated towns are not covered by this claim.

  “steuben county government detailed scaled site plans and building plans must accompany this application.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Residential (Class 2) construction inside Salem township, Steuben County, Indiana, under the state residential code

  • The 2020 Indiana Residential Code applies to all construction on class 2 structures and their accessory structures.
  • State law requires all local units of government to require compliance with the code.
  • The source describes the code as the International Residential Code (2018 model) as modified by Indiana state amendments.

  “since that date, the 2020 indiana residential code has been in full force and effect in every location within the state of indiana.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite sewage (septic) systems for residential construction on land inside Salem township, Steuben County, Indiana

  • The Steuben County Health Department (SCHD) reviews and approves construction plans and issues the sewage permit.
  • The source is a Steuben County Health Department document; it does not name Salem township, but its process applies county-wide to residential onsite systems, and Salem township is unincorporated county land.
  • State rules (the Indiana onsite sewage rules) govern the minimum requirements; the department issues minimum requirements to each applicant.

  “the schd will review the construction plan and all additional documentation.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing or altering an onsite sewage (septic) system for a residential property inside Salem township, Steuben County, Indiana

  • Soil evaluation by an Indiana Registry of Soil Scientists member is required before design.
  • Construction plan, survey, materials list and elevations must be approved by the health department before the permit is purchased.
  • The property owner remains responsible for obtaining the onsite system permit before any work is done on the system.
  • Floor plans must show jet tubs of 125 gallons capacity or greater.

  “it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that an onsite system permit is obtained before any work is done on the system”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Onsite sewage (septic) systems installed on residential property inside Salem township, Steuben County, Indiana

  • The system must be inspected and given final approval by the health department before it is used.
  • Approval is required before the system is used; the source does not state the number of inspections.

  “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 on unincorporated land inside Salem township

  • The subdivision control ordinance text was not opened; the Plan Commission page confirms that one exists.
  • Several towns in the county have their own plan commissions and are excluded from this county claim.

  “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

  Construction on parcels inside the special flood hazard area in unincorporated Salem township

  • Applies only to property inside the special flood hazard area (SFHA); other land is not covered by this claim.
  • The certificate of elevation requirement is stated on the county permit form.

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

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Residential onsite sewage system and county government construction permit process for unincorporated land inside Salem township, Steuben County, Indiana

  • Steps: soil evaluation by an Indiana Registry of Soil Scientists member, application to the Steuben County Health Department with floor plans, system design review, and plan approval before a permit is purchased.
  • The Steuben County government permit application requires plan commission staff review; the form says allow 5 business days.

  plan commission review time: 5 business days

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

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a homeowner building their own home in Salem township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes on unincorporated land inside Salem township
• Local zoning — Whether Salem township (Steuben County, Indiana) adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and districts for unincorporated land inside Salem township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for the main single-family residential district in unincorporated Steuben County land inside Salem 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.