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

Rules another office applies inside Abington Township

Abington 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)

  On-site sewage (septic) systems for homes inside Abington township, which lies within Wayne County; the Wayne County Health Department is the rule-maker

  • Systems must meet Indiana State Department of Health rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 and Wayne County ordinance, per the health department page.
  • The health department reserves authority to reject any site or proposed system that does not meet those requirements.

  “onsite sewage systems installed in wayne county are regulated, permitted, and inspected by the health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New home construction, system replacement, or repair of an on-site septic system in Abington township (Wayne County, IN)

  • Soil evaluation by a registered soil scientist is required before design; a soil report is valid for two years.
  • A detailed system design must be submitted and paid for and must meet 410 IAC 6-8.3 and the letter of requirement.
  • House plans must accompany new construction designs.
  • Installers must be registered with the Wayne County Health Department before installing, repairing, or replacing a system.
  • If the outlet is on another property, an easement must be recorded before the permit is issued.
  • Permit is valid for one year. Repairs may not need a soil evaluation; check with the department first.

  “if all requirements of the permitting process are met and fees have been paid, then a permit for the on-site sewage disposal system will be issued.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land in unincorporated Abington township (Wayne County, IN); the County Plan Commission has plat authority over unincorporated land, not inside incorporated towns

  • Plats and replats require approval by the County Plan Commission or Plat Committee.
  • Primary and secondary approval standards apply (Wayne County Code § 155.021 and § 155.009 secondary approval certificates).

  “the county plan commission or plat committee have exclusive control over the approval of plats and replats, of subdivisions involving unincorporated lands in the county, under its jurisdiction.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  On-site septic permit fees for homes in Abington township only; building permit fees were not found

  • Fees are listed in the 4/5/2024 handout; confirm current amounts with the health department.
  • Permit issued only after fees are paid.

  new construction septic permit fee: 400 USD · replacement septic permit fee: 300 USD · repair septic permit fee: 100 USD

  “cost: new construction permit- $400 replacement permit- $300 repair permit- $100”

• Permit processPartial

  Septic permit process only, for homes in Abington township; the general building permit process was not found

  • Soil evaluation by a registered soil scientist, then letter of requirement, then design approval, then permit, then prior inspection meeting.
  • Application must be submitted and paid for before soil evaluation review.

  “an application must be submitted and paid for before a review of a soil evaluation will be conducted.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — General building permit for new dwellings in Abington township (Wayne County, IN)
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits for work on own home in Abington township (Wayne County, IN)
• Building code adopted — Adoption of a building code for new homes in Abington township (Wayne County, IN)
• Inspections — General building inspection of new dwellings in Abington township (Wayne County, IN); septic inspection is covered separately
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in Abington township (Wayne County, IN)

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.