Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Salem, Indiana

Salem’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Salem city limits (City of Salem, Washington County, Indiana)

  • The city's own zoning code is listed as Chapter 156 on the city's ordinance index; the chapter text itself was not opened, so its district rules are not stated here.
  • The Before You Apply guide says some projects may need approval from the city Board of Zoning Appeals or Plan Commission before permits issue.

  “zoning code (pdf) 156. zoning code appendix a:table of lot, lot coverage and height requirements (pdf)”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of land inside Salem city limits

  • Chapter 154 Subdivision Code is listed on the city index; its requirements were not opened.
  • Appendix A to Chapter 154 (plat certificates, curb and gutter, thoroughfare sections) is also listed on the index.

  “title xv - land usage (pdf) 150. building regulations 151. erosion control 152. flood control 153. planning 154. subdivision code”

• Permit processPartial

  Applying for a residential or commercial building permit inside Salem city limits through the City of Salem Building, Planning & Zoning Department

  • The guide says 'this document is not inclusive' and that city ordinances and state codes prevail.
  • Site plans must show property lines, structures, setbacks, slope, septic location, and erosion control; stamped plans must stay on site during construction (Chapter 150.18(b)(3), per the guide).
  • Board of Zoning Appeals or Plan Commission approval may be required before permits issue.

  “please contact the building department before you proceed with your construction project; special conditions or requirements may apply.”

Rules another office applies inside Salem

Salem 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)

  Private septic systems on land inside Salem city limits that are not on city sanitary sewer; the Washington County Health Department is the permit source

  • Applies only where the property is not on city sanitary sewer.
  • The city guide directs septic permit applicants to the Washington County Health Department; the health department's own service-area or state-rule text was not opened.

  “septic permit, if not on city sanitary sewer. septic permits are available from the washington county health department, 806 martinsville rd., suite 100, salem, in, (812) 883-5603.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New or existing private septic systems on land inside Salem city limits that is not on city sanitary sewer

  • Applies only if the property is not on city sanitary sewer.
  • Taken from the city guide's 'When you apply' checklist; the health department's ordinance or state rule that imposes the permit was not opened.

  “septic permit, if not on city sanitary sewer. septic permits are available from the washington county health department”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Salem city limits
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing a home inside Salem city limits
• Inspections — Inspections of construction inside Salem city limits
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new homes inside Salem city limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Salem city limits

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.