Bolthole Index

Wayne County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Richmond, Indiana

Richmond, Indiana requires city building permits before covered construction and has district-specific zoning rules.12 Richmond’s Permits and Inspections office handles city building applications, while city planning staff administer zoning.34 Septic systems inside Richmond remain under Wayne County Health Department’s countywide permitting and inspection authority.5

At a glance

Building permits
Required before covered work begins; city issues them1
Zoning
City districts have different development standards2
Septic permits
Wayne County Health Department regulates, permits and inspects systems5
Minimum dwelling size
R1: 1,200 square feet; AG: 1,000 square feet67
New dwelling building fee
$200 for a new one- or two-family dwelling8
Sewer and water
District-dependent; R1 requires both, AG does not9

Who to call

Building permits

Richmond Permits and Inspections

City building applications, construction inspections and pre-planning meeting scheduling

765-983-7341

2380 Liberty Ave.

Online permits →

Zoning

Richmond Planning and Zoning

City zoning administration, site design and subdivision assistance

765-983-7341

[email protected]

2380 Liberty Ave.

Septic permits

Wayne County Health Department

Countywide onsite sewage permitting and inspections, including Richmond

(765) 973-9245

[email protected]

100 S. 5th Street Richmond, IN 47374

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Richmond means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Richmond, IN?

Richmond requires a building permit for covered building work costing more than $500, including roofing or siding over that amount, and for demolition, moving structures and modular or manufactured homes on permanent foundations.1 Richmond incorporates Indiana building and residential rules, so a city building permit also brings code compliance obligations.10

Richmond’s published building fee for a new one- or two-family dwelling is $200; separate project approvals should be discussed with Permits and Inspections before budgeting.8 Building applications may require a lot sketch, boundaries, plans and specifications, with a permit card posted at the site.11

Who issues building permits in Richmond, and how do you apply?

Contact Richmond Permits and Inspections at 765-983-7341 for building applications and the required pre-planning meeting for new construction or zoning applications.3 Richmond offers online building applications through the city’s application portal.3

The city says small projects typically take 5 business days to process and larger projects may take up to 15 business days; those are processing estimates, not permission to begin work.3 Richmond requires covered building permits before construction begins.1 Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours ahead, and work must remain uncovered until inspected and approved.12

Does Richmond have zoning, lot limits and setbacks?

Richmond has its own zoning districts, with development standards that vary by district.2 Richmond Planning and Zoning handles residential and commercial zoning and site design approval; ask that office to identify the parcel’s district, minimum lot area and setbacks before placing a home on a sketch.4

In Richmond’s R1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District, the minimum dwelling unit size is 1,200 square feet and maximum lot coverage is 50%.613 In Richmond’s AG Agricultural District, the minimum dwelling unit size is 1,000 square feet and maximum lot coverage is 30%.714 Richmond requires an improvement location permit before permanent construction, land alteration or establishing a new land use.3

How do septic permits and water connections work inside Richmond?

Wayne County Health Department regulates, permits and inspects onsite sewage systems throughout Wayne County, including Richmond.5 Richmond’s sewer and water requirements still depend on the zoning district: R1 requires sanitary sewer and water, while AG does not.9 Where the district standard says required where available, the availability threshold is 300 feet or less from the property line.9

For a Richmond parcel eligible for septic, the county health department sizes residential systems using bedrooms and bedroom equivalents, with the soil loading rate determined by a Registered Soil Scientist’s site inspection.5 The health department can reject a site or system that fails state rules or county ordinance, so resolve wastewater feasibility before committing to a house plan.5

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Richmond?

We could not confirm permission for residential RV occupancy, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land in Richmond; ask Richmond Planning and Zoning about the proposed use and exact parcel.4 Richmond’s district dwelling minimums matter for a small permanent home: R1 requires 1,200 square feet and AG requires 1,000 square feet.67

Richmond’s MP Manufactured Home Park standards require an improvement location permit before installation and specify foundations or pads for modular and mobile homes; those MP standards do not establish RV living rights on another parcel.15 We could not confirm a general city owner-builder exemption; Richmond does require homeowner electrical and mechanical license-exemption applications for that work.3

Building a home in Richmond: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Schedule Richmond’s required pre-planning meeting for new construction and identify the parcel’s zoning and intended use with city staff.34
  2. Resolve district sewer and water requirements; if using septic, consult Wayne County Health Department about site evaluation and system approval.95
  3. Obtain a driveway permit for a public-street cut before the improvement location permit; state or federal highway cuts also need Indiana Department of Transportation approval.16
  4. Submit required building plans and obtain city building approval before starting work.11
  5. Request inspections before concealing work and obtain a full, partial or temporary certificate of occupancy before using the completed building.1217

For land outside Richmond city limits, use the Wayne County guide for the county’s unincorporated-area building and zoning rules.18

Watch-outs

  • Richmond floodplain development has additional city standards; have city planning staff check the site before finalizing the layout.194
  • Richmond building permits expire if work does not begin within 60 days, and suspended or abandoned work requires a new permit after 180 days.1
  • Wayne County Health Department does not oversee private drinking wells; Indiana Department of Natural Resources regulates them, so resolve well requirements separately from city utility approval.20

Sources

  1. § 150.004 Permit Required; Applications (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 165: Unified Development Code (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  3. Richmond Permits and Inspections (richmondindiana.gov)
  4. Richmond Planning and Zoning (richmondindiana.gov)
  5. Wayne County: On-site Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  6. § 165.088 Low Density Single-Family Residential (R1) District (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  7. § 165.086 Agricultural (AG) District (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 150.006 Fee Schedule (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  9. § 165.285 Sewer and Water Standards (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  10. § 150.003 Adoption of Rules by Reference (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  11. § 150.004 Permit Required; Applications (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  12. § 150.008 Inspections; Entry (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  13. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  14. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  15. § 165.278 Manufactured Housing Standards (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  16. § 165.266 Driveway Standards (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  17. § 150.010 Certificate of Occupancy (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  18. Wayne County Code § 156.557 Improvement Location Permit, quoted and re-checked
  19. § 165.270 Floodplain Standards (Richmond), quoted and re-checked
  20. Wayne County: Drinking Well Information, quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Richmond

Richmond’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, remodeling, repair, demolition, moving buildings, swimming pools, and modular or manufactured homes inside Richmond city.

    • Permits must be obtained before work begins.
    • A building permit is required for building work costing more than $500, roofing or siding over $500, demolition, moving a structure, public swimming pools, modular or manufactured homes on permanent foundations, and certain temporary commercial mobile units.
    • A $100 reinspection fee applies when work begins before permit issuance and the site has been inspected.
    • Permits expire if work does not begin within 60 days; suspended or abandoned work requires a new permit after 180 days.
    “A building permit or service installation permit is required to be obtained prior to commencing work from the city’s Enforcement Authority on forms furnished by said Department in the following instances.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building work inside Richmond city.

    • The city incorporates Indiana Title 675 building, residential, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, energy, swimming pool, fire, migrant day care, and fuel gas rules by reference.
    • Copies are on file in the city Enforcement Authority office.
    “Pursuant to I.C. 22-13-2-3(b), the rules of the state’s Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission as set out in the following articles of I.A.C. Title 675 are hereby incorporated by reference in this code and shall include any later amendments to those rules:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building, demolition, utility, modular-home, and manufactured-home work inside Richmond city.

    • Inspection requests must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
    • The responsible person must be present.
    • Work may not be covered or concealed until inspected and approved.
    • Specified inspections include foundations, concealed utilities, structural components, rough-in and final systems, meters, replacement equipment, demolition stages, pools, and permanent-foundation modular or manufactured homes.
    “Also, the Director of the city’s Enforcement Authority or his or her duly authorized representatives shall make inspections of the work being done after the issuance of any permit hereunder, as are necessary to ensure full compliance with the provisions of this subchapter and the terms of the permit.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy, use, or changed use of buildings and structures inside Richmond city.

    • A full, partial, or temporary certificate may be issued.
    • The work must comply with the building subchapter.
    • A partial or temporary certificate may be issued when incomplete work does not adversely affect building or fire safety.
    • The city may require a substantial-completion statement and list of remaining corrections.
    “it shall be unlawful for any owner, lessee or tenant to occupy, use or permit the use of any building, structure or part thereof that is constructed, erected, altered, repaired or the use of which is changed, prior to the issuance of a full, partial or temporary certificate of occupancy by the city’s Enforcement Authority.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Richmond city zoning districts and district-specific development standards.

    • The code lists standard, overlay, planned-development, and numerous named zoning districts; dimensional standards vary by district.
    “Establishment of standard zoning districts”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Residential dwelling units in the AG Agricultural District.

    minimum dwelling unit size: >= 1000 square feet

    “Minimum dwelling unit size. One thousand square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in AG.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent of lot area

    “Maximum lot coverage. Thirty percent of lot area.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured and mobile homes in Richmond city's MP Manufactured Home Park District.

    • The section applies only to MP.
    • An improvement location permit is required before installation.
    • Lease-lot dwelling sites require separate utility connections.
    • Four or more dwelling sites require direct access to a paved private street.
    • A mobile home must be tied down on a concrete pad with perimeter enclosure; a modular home must be permanently mounted on a cinder-block or concrete foundation.
    “This manufactured housing standards section applies to the following district: MP. The intent of manufactured housing standards is to promote quality and safe lease-lot manufactured home and mobile home developments. The following standards apply.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New development inside Richmond city zoning districts.

    • The applicable district layout controls whether sewer or water is required.
    • Where the layout says required where available, the system must be within 300 feet or less of the property line.
    • R1 requires sanitary sewer and water; AG does not require sanitary sewer and water.

    availability distance: <= 300 feet (applies where the district layout uses 'required where available')

    “Connection to the city’s municipal sanitary sewer system shall be required when access to the municipal sanitary sewer system is available within 300 feet or less of the property line.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision or platting of property within the jurisdictional area of Richmond's Plan Commission.

    • A primary plat is required with a proposal to subdivide or plat property.
    • Condominiums regulated by I.C. 32-25 are exempt from this subdivision process.
    • A pre-application meeting with the Zoning Administrator is required.
    • The application and supporting information must generally be submitted at least 28 days before the relevant Plan Commission or Plat Committee meeting.
    “A primary plat shall be prepared in conjunction with any proposal to subdivide or plat property within the jurisdictional area of the Plan Commission.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway cuts onto public streets inside Richmond city.

    • A driveway permit is required before an improvement location permit.
    • State or federal highway cuts also require a state Department of Transportation permit.
    • Four or more single-family lots or manufactured-home dwelling sites require a public or private street meeting city construction standards.
    • Residential driveway separation, width, and visibility limits apply by district.
    “A driveway permit shall be required for all driveway cuts onto public streets. The Board of Public Works reviews and issues the driveway permit in the city and shall be issued prior to the receipt of an improvement location permit.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in mapped floodplain or flood hazard areas inside Richmond city.

    • Floodplain standards apply across the listed city zoning districts.
    • The city code cross-references Chapter 155, the city's flood hazard ordinance.
    • The subdivision primary-plat materials must identify floodway, floodway fringe areas, and wetlands within the site.
    “The following standards apply. Cross- reference: see the city’s flood hazard ordinance, Chapter 155 of this code of ordinances.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Richmond city building and service-installation permits.

    • New one- and two-family dwelling building permit: $200.
    • Industrial, commercial, institutional, and three-or-more-family dwelling permits use actual-cost formulas with a $200 minimum.
    • Remodel or repair: $2 per $1,000 actual cost, minimum $50.
    • New private residential garages, carports, and accessory structures: $50.
    • Modular or manufactured home on a permanent foundation: $100.
    • All fees are payable to the city.

    new one- or two-family dwelling building permit: 200 USD

    “The schedule of required fees for examinations, licenses, permits, re-inspections and certificates of occupancy shall be as follows: all fees shall be payable to the city.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit process inside Richmond city.

    • Applications may require a plat or sketch, lot boundaries, plans and specifications, and state design releases where applicable.
    • The owner or authorized agent must obtain permits before work starts unless a licensed contractor is responsible under the subchapter.
    • A permit card must be posted on site.
    • Work must be inspected before concealment and finally inspected before completion.
    “A building permit or service installation permit is required to be obtained prior to commencing work from the city’s Enforcement Authority on forms furnished by said Department in the following instances.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from Richmond city building-permit or contractor requirements.
  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Richmond city.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping inside Richmond city.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Richmond city.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Richmond city.
7 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Richmond publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Wayne County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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