Bolthole Index

Wells County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Wells County, Indiana

47Index Score / 100
#76 of 92 in Indiana

Wells County, Indiana requires an Improvement Location Permit before most construction, reconstruction, moving, enlargement, or structural alteration, with Markle's corporate limits excluded1. The Area Plan Commission administers zoning across Wells County and its incorporated cities and towns except Markle2. For sites using onsite sewage, obtain the county septic permit before the building permit3.

At a glance

Building permit
Improvement Location Permit required for most construction outside Markle1
Zoning
County ordinance covers incorporated and unincorporated areas except Markle2
Septic permit
County permit and inspections required before and during installation34
Permit fees
$40 under 500 square feet; $60 over 500 square feet5
Owner-builder
No Wells County exemption could be confirmed; ask the Area Plan Commission6
RV living
Outside a park: up to 90 consecutive days unincorporated or 30 incorporated7
Manufactured homes
District and type standards apply; Types I and II must exceed 950 square feet8

Who to call

Building permits

Wells County Area Plan Commission

Improvement Location Permits and site inspections for permits issued through the office

(260) 824-6407

[email protected]

223 W Washington St Room 211 Bluffton, IN 46714

Zoning

Wells County Area Plan Commission

Zoning, subdivision review, zoning maps, and Board of Zoning Appeals matters

(260) 824-6407

[email protected]

223 W Washington St Room 211 Bluffton, IN 46714

Floodplain permits

Wells County Area Plan Commission (Floodplain Administrator)

County floodplain administration and local flood-zone questions

(260) 824-6407

[email protected]

223 W Washington St Room 211 Bluffton, IN 46714

Septic permits

Wells County Health Department, Environmental Health

Residential on-site sewage system permits, reviews, and inspections

260-824-6491

223 W. Washington Street Bluffton, IN 46714

Roads & driveways

Wells County Highway Department

Driveway access applications for county roads

(260) 824-6430

[email protected]

828 E. 200 S. Bluffton, IN 46714

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 29, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Wells County, Indiana?

Yes. Wells County requires an Improvement Location Permit before a structure, sign, pond, basement, or foundation is constructed, reconstructed, moved, enlarged, or structurally altered1. The ordinance has exceptions for qualifying maintenance, residential driveways, specified yard improvements, and some temporary structures or signs; Markle's corporate limits are outside the county requirement, and Bluffton may require a separate city building permit1. The recorded owner or the owner's contractor applies with a scaled plot plan showing the property, access, uses, and existing and proposed structures9. Every permit or petition issued by the Area Plan Commission is subject to at least one site inspection before approval10.

Who issues Wells County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Wells County Area Plan Commission issues the county Improvement Location Permit and handles zoning, subdivision review, and parcel-specific development questions1112. Visit 223 W Washington St Room 211 in Bluffton, call (260) 824-6407, or email [email protected]11. Applications may be filed through the county's online permitting link and must include a scaled plot plan; when septic is required, the septic permit must be presented before the Improvement Location Permit is issued9. Published general permit fees are $40 per item for 500 square feet or less and $60 per item for more than 500 square feet13.

Does Wells County have zoning?

Yes. The Wells County zoning ordinance covers the county's incorporated and unincorporated areas except Markle's town limits, and it also covers Zanesville's town limits in Allen County2. The zoning map is available through county GIS, and the ordinance publishes district tables for agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, lake, and planned districts14. In A-1, A-R, S-1, and C-1 districts, the stated minimum lot size is two acres unless an approved sewer or qualifying longer-life onsite system supports the exception15. Dimensional rules vary: unincorporated A-1 has a 20-foot property-line setback, while several other districts use different standards16. Maximum structure height is generally 100 feet in listed agricultural, commercial, industrial, and lake districts and 35 feet in listed residential and manufactured-home districts, subject to stated exclusions17.

How do septic permits work in Wells County?

The Wells County Health Department handles licensing, plan review, inspection, and enforcement for residential and commercial onsite sewage systems18. Obtain its septic permit before construction or remodeling begins and before the Area Plan Commission issues a permit to build3. Notify the Health Department before installing each system component and again when the component or completed system is ready for inspection4. Site feasibility deserves early attention because 0% of Wells County's mapped soils rate as free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field19. That soil rating does not by itself make a parcel unbuildable, but it makes the county's site review and approved design central to choosing a workable house location.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Wells County?

Outside an RV park, Wells County limits residential RV occupancy on one parcel to 90 consecutive days in an unincorporated area or 30 consecutive days in an incorporated area7. The Board of Zoning Appeals may grant a special exception for up to one year while the owner constructs, remodels, or rebuilds a principal dwelling, with no more than one extension7. Tiny-home occupancy is not separately defined, so ask the Area Plan Commission how a proposed unit will be classified. Manufactured homes are allowed only in applicable districts and must meet type-specific foundation, anchoring, utility, and appearance standards; Types I and II must exceed 950 square feet8. An accessory dwelling is limited to one per parcel, and placing a manufactured home beside an existing dwelling in A-1 or A-R requires a special exception2021.

Building a home in Wells County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Area Plan Commission to verify the zoning district, lot size, setbacks, height limit, and proposed use14151617.
  1. If onsite sewage is needed, secure Health Department approval before the building permit3.
  1. Submit the Improvement Location Permit application with the required scaled plot plan9.
  1. Apply to the Highway Department for any driveway installed from a county road; use INDOT's permit system for a state-highway connection2223.
  1. Complete the required septic inspections and the Area Plan Commission site inspection410.
  1. If the site lies in a flood-hazard area, obtain applicable local, state, and federal approvals before development2425.

What should you check before buying land in Wells County?

Confirm zoning and subdivision status first because new lots, combines, additions, and major or minor subdivisions are reviewed by the Area Plan Commission or Plat Committee12. Check septic feasibility before choosing a house site: 0% of mapped soils rate as free of severe limits for a conventional drain field19. Confirm private-well permitting with the Health Department because we could not confirm a Wells County requirement. A driveway from a county road needs a Highway Department Driveway Cut Application, even though a residential driveway is exempt from the Improvement Location Permit22. Flood-hazard development can require local review and additional permits, with flood-resistant construction standards applying to new construction and substantial improvements2624. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, and the median annual bill is about $9202728.

Watch-outs

  • Markle's corporate limits are excluded from the county Improvement Location Permit requirement, while Bluffton projects may also need a separate city building permit1.
  • Obtain the Wells County septic permit before applying for the Improvement Location Permit, then notify the Health Department before components are installed and ready for inspection34.
  • An RV that is not fully licensed and highway-ready or that exceeds the allowed occupancy period may be treated as a Type III manufactured home7.

Sources

  1. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  2. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Division - Health Dept - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Division - Health Dept - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  5. Wells County Area Plan Commission Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  6. (2026 county census)
  7. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  8. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  9. Area Planning Commission - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  10. Area Planning Commission - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  11. Wells County Area Plan Commission (wellscounty.org)
  12. Area Planning Commission - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  13. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  14. Area Planning Commission - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  15. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  16. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  17. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic Division - Health Dept - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  19. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  20. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  21. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  22. County Forms - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  23. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Area Planning Commission - Wells County Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  25. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Wells County Zoning, Subdivision Control, and Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 29, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

County locator

Wells County in Indiana

47
County map
Wells County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Wells County scores

Seclusion28100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency30100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability80100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost69100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$255kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$10,111Land / acre
40.5"Annual rain
2.1% of yrsSevere drought
4.3 / yr (+4.3)Mid-century 100°F days
12 daysMid-century dry spell
1.61" (+7.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.76×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,347Home insurance / yr
0.6% / yrInsurance growth
0.73%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
49,478People within 30 min
4,489,921People within 2 hr
56,177Radius comparison (15 mi)
77.6People / sq mi
0%Federal land
99.8%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Septic soil without severe limits
0 acWorkable land screen
7.5%Wooded land
62.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
51°FAvg temp

Scout Wells County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Wells County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Answers from the rulebook for Wells County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Wells County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction projects in Wells County requiring a county Improvement Location Permit.

    • The ordinance requires the permit before construction, reconstruction, moving, enlargement, or structural alteration of a Structure, Sign, or Pond, including basements and foundations.
    • Exceptions include routine maintenance without a change of use or additional lot coverage, residential driveways, specified lot and yard improvements, temporary structures subject to written notice and approval, and temporary or traffic-control signs.
    • Markle corporate limits are excluded from the county permit requirement; City of Bluffton may require a separate building permit.

    permit expiration if work has not begun: 180 days (The ordinance states no extension may be granted and a new application and fee are required.) · permit expiration if work is not substantially completed: 2 years (The ordinance states no extension may be granted and further work requires a new permit.)

    “An Improvement Location Permit shall be obtained before any Structure, Sign, or Pond in any Zoning classification district may be constructed, reconstructed, moved, enlarged, or structurally altered, including the construction of Basements and foundations, except as provided in this section.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction projects in Wells County, except within the corporate limits of Markle, Indiana; the county permit is an Improvement Location Permit.
      “A Wells County Improvement Location Permit is required for any construction project within Wells County except for within the corporate limits of Markle, Indiana.”
    • Required — Construction projects in Wells County, including new construction and construction within the City of Bluffton subject to its separate building permit requirements.
      “required for any construction project within Wells County”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Petitions or permits granted through the Wells County Area Plan Commission.

    • The county page states at least one site inspection before approval.
    • This evidence does not establish a complete building-code inspection schedule for all construction.
    “Any petition or permit granted through the Wells County Area Plan Commission Office is subject to at least one site inspection before it will be approved.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — County APC petitions and permits.
      “Any petition or permit granted through the Wells County Area Plan Commission Office is subject to at least one site inspection before it will be approved.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Wells County zoning regulation administered through the Wells County Area Plan Commission, subject to the ordinance's jurisdictional exceptions and incorporated-area arrangements.

    • The county page states that the Area Plan Commission administers and enforces the Wells County Zoning Ordinance.
    • Incorporated municipalities may have additional or separate building-permit administration.
    • The current ordinance is identified on the county page as effective April 14, 2026.
    “Enforce the regulations set forth by the Wells County Zoning Ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — Wells County zoning ordinance jurisdiction, including incorporated cities and towns except Markle Town limits and including Zanesville Town limits in Allen County.
      “1-05 JURISDICTION AREA: The Jurisdiction of this Zoning Ordinance shall include Wells County and its incorporated Cities and Towns, exclude Markle Town limits in Wells County, and include Zanesville Town limits in Allen County.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Wells County zoning districts and zoning-map information.

    • The county identifies a zoning map as available through the Wells County GIS website.
    • District-specific dimensional and use controls were not extracted here.
    “Zoning maps are available on the Wells County GIS website.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Type I and Type II manufactured homes under the Wells County Zoning Ordinance.

    • The ordinance separately classifies Type III manufactured homes as having equal to or less than 950 square feet of living space.
    • Additional district use permissions and exterior-appearance standards apply.

    Type I minimum living space: > 950 square feet · Type II minimum living space: > 950 square feet

    “Shall have more than nine hundred fifty (950) square feet of Living Space in a single or Expando Unit;”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    New lots and pre-existing structures in the listed zoning districts.

    • In A-1, A-R, S-1, and C-1 districts, the minimum lot size is two acres, with an exception where written proof and proper approvals establish qualifying public sewer or a smaller-space, significantly longer-life onsite sewage system.
    • The table separately identifies unincorporated A-1 and incorporated A-1/A-R/S-1/C-1 standards.

    minimum lot size in A-1, A-R, S-1, and C-1: 2 acres (Qualifying public sewer or onsite sewage disposal approval may permit the alternative shown in the table.)

    “In the A-1, A-R, S-1, and C-1 Zoning Districts the minimum Lot Size shall be two (2) acres except if there is written proof and proper approvals stating that the property can utilize public sewer or an onsite sewage disposal system that does not take up as much space and has a significantly longer life span than a traditional system.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Structure setbacks by zoning district.

    • A-1 unincorporated property-line setback is 20 feet and the right-of-way standard is the greater of 30 feet from the right-of-way or 60 feet from the center of the public way.
    • A-R, S-1, C-1, and incorporated A-1 use a 5-foot property-line setback and the same right-of-way standard.
    • B-1 has zero setback; B-2/B-3/I-1/I-2/R-1/R-2/R-3/M-1/M-2 use district-specific 5-foot or platted/deeded-line rules; L-1 uses IDEM standards.

    A-1 unincorporated property-line setback: 20 feet · A-1 maximum structure height: 100 feet · R-1 maximum structure height: 35 feet

    “A-1 (Unincorporated Areas Only P.L. = 20 ROW = The greater of 30’ from ROW or 60 from the center of the Public Way”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Maximum structure height by zoning district.

    • The ordinance excludes WECS projects, WECS testing facilities, and communication towers from the general maximum-height prohibition.
    • No structure may be erected where its height would place it in proximity to commercial power transmission lines.

    A-1, A-R, S-1, C-1, B-1, B-2, B-3, I-1, I-2, L-1 maximum height: 100 feet · R-1, R-2, R-3, M-1, M-2 maximum height: 35 feet

    “No Structure except WECS Projects, WECS Testing Facilities, and Communication Towers shall be erected above the maximum Height requirement for each Zoning type described in this Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles in Wells County zoning jurisdiction.

    • Within a recreational vehicle park, occupancy may not exceed eight months in a calendar year.
    • The Board of Zoning Appeals may designate a portion of a recreational vehicle park for extended stays for one year, with one one-year extension.
    • The extended-stay portion must be separated by 300 feet from a zoning district that does not permit a recreational vehicle park.
    • Outside a recreational vehicle park, occupancy is limited to 30 consecutive days in an incorporated area and 90 consecutive days in an unincorporated area.
    • A special exception may allow up to one year when constructing, remodeling, or rebuilding a principal dwelling, with no more than one extension.
    • An RV may be treated as a Type III Manufactured Home if it is not fully licensed and highway-ready or violates the period restrictions.

    RV park maximum occupancy: 8 months per calendar year (subject to Board of Zoning Appeals special exception) · RV occupancy outside park, incorporated area: 30 consecutive days (subject to special exception) · RV occupancy outside park, unincorporated area: 90 consecutive days (subject to special exception) · extended-stay separation: >= 300 feet (from a zoning district that does not permit a recreational vehicle park)

    “Outside of a Recreational Vehicle Park: An RV may occupy the same Parcel for residential purposes outside of a Recreational Vehicle Park for a period not exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days in an incorporated area or ninety (90) consecutive days in an unincorporated area, except as follows:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles on parcels and in recreational vehicle parks.
      “Outside of a Recreational Vehicle Park: An RV may occupy the same Parcel for residential purposes outside of a Recreational Vehicle Park for a period not exceeding thirty (30) consecutive days in an incorporated area or ninety (90) consecutive days in an unincorporated area, except as follows:”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes subject to Wells County zoning standards.

    • Type I manufactured homes must have more than 950 square feet of living space in a double-section unit.
    • Photographs must be made available to Plan Commission staff before placement.
    • The home must be placed on a permanent foundation and anchored according to the ordinance.
    • Other manufactured-home types have separate standards.

    Type I minimum living space: > 950 square feet (double-section unit)

    “more than nine hundred and fifty (950) square feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwellings on parcels with a pre-existing residential dwelling.

    • The ordinance defines an accessory dwelling as a residential dwelling on property with a pre-existing residential dwelling, located in a pre-existing or newly constructed accessory structure.
    • Only one accessory dwelling is allowed per parcel under the definition; use remains subject to applicable zoning district rules and approvals.

    accessory dwellings per parcel: 1 dwelling

    “There shall only be one (1) Accessory Dwelling per Parcel.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — An accessory dwelling created by placing a manufactured home on the same parcel as an existing dwelling in A-1 or A-R zoning districts.
      “In the A-1 and A-R Zoning Districts, a Manufactured Home may occupy the same property as an existing dwelling as an Accessory Dwelling with said Special Exception approval.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Residential and commercial on-site sewage disposal systems in Wells County.

    • The county page also states that Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 applies.
    “responsible for licensing and inspecting residential and commercial on-site sewage disposal systems”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — Residential and commercial onsite sewage disposal systems.
      “The Septic Division is responsible for licensing and inspecting residential and commercial on-site sewage disposal systems, investigating illegal discharges of sewage, and plan review of new on-site septic systems.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New homes, remodeling, and repair of septic systems.

    • A septic permit must be obtained before construction or remodeling begins and before the APC issues a permit to build.
    “A septic permit must be obtained before construction or remodeling begins, and must be obtained before Area Planning Commission will issue a permit to build.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Residential and commercial onsite sewage systems in Wells County.

    • The Health Department must be notified before any system component is installed and when the system is ready for inspection.
    • The county process calls for inspection at completion of each component and at completion of the entire system.
    “The Health Department must be notified before any component of the system is installed and when it is ready for inspection.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Major and minor subdivisions, additions, combines, and related plats.

    • The Area Plan Commission and Plat Committee review subdivision matters.
    • Major subdivision recording has a 90-day deadline after secondary approval when a new public way is opened; other qualifying petitions have a two-year recording period.
    • Improvement inspections are required before release of performance and maintenance bonds.
    “A proposed Major Subdivision may be approved if it complies with the following provisions.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveways installed off a county road.

    • A county Highway Department Driveway Cut Application is required for any drive installed off a county road.
    • A residential driveway does not require an Improvement Location Permit under the zoning ordinance, but separate road-access approval may still be required.
    “Driveway Cut Application (Required for any type of drive installed off a county road)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development subject to floodplain regulation in Wells County.

    • The Area Plan Commission administers the floodplain ordinance adopted from the State of Indiana.
    • Official maps identify 100-year flood, 500-year flood, and no-special-flood-hazard areas.
    • The reviewed source did not establish the complete permit threshold or technical standards.
    “administering the floodplain ordinance adopted from the State of Indiana”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Wells County Area Plan Commission petitions and improvement location permits.

    • Fee schedule effective March 11, 2024.
    • Improvement Location Permit under 500 square feet: $40 per item.
    • Improvement Location Permit over 500 square feet: $60 per item.
    • Violation resolution fee: two times the permit or petition fee.

    improvement location permit under 500 square feet: 40 USD per item · improvement location permit over 500 square feet: 60 USD per item · violation resolution fee: 2 x permit or petition fee

    “Improvement Location Permit (permit under 500 square feet) $40.00 per item [...] Improvement Location Permit (permit over 500 square feet) $60.00 per item.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County APC improvement-location permits and development petitions.

    • Permit applications require a scaled plot plan showing property, existing and proposed structures, access, uses, and other information necessary to determine conformity.
    • The recorded owner or recorded owner's contractor must apply.
    • A septic permit must be presented before issuance when required.
    • Applications may be filed online through the county's permitting link.
    “All applicants for permits shall be accompanied by a plot plan that is drawn to scale and shows the following items clearly and completely:”

Indiana rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Statewide Indiana construction subject to the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission's adopted building codes, including the Indiana Building Code and Indiana Residential Code.

    • The adopted codes consist of model codes amended for Indiana.
    • The 2014 Indiana Building Code under 675 IAC 13-2.6 is currently in effect and became effective December 1, 2014.
    • The 2020 Indiana Residential Code under 675 IAC 14-4.4 is currently in effect and became effective December 26, 2019.
    • Specific applicability depends on the structure and code category.

    Indiana Building Code effective date: 2014-12-01 · Indiana Residential Code effective date: 2019-12-26

    “The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission creates Indiana codes by adopting model codes and amending them to apply in Indiana.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Residential sanitation in Indiana where a dwelling is not connected, or cannot be connected, to a sanitary sewerage system.

    • The dwelling must be provided with a compliant residential on-site sewage system including a septic tank and a soil absorption system that has not failed.
    • A temporary sewage holding tank is subject to written Indiana Department of Health approval, with specified exceptions for failed systems, soil conditions after a construction permit, and certain district, utility, or municipal sewage plans.
    • A holding tank operated as a primary residential disposal method for a sewer connection plan is limited to not more than one year unless the period is extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation.
    • Drywells and cesspools are not allowed for construction or use as on-site sewage treatment in Indiana.

    holding-tank sewer-connection period: <= 1 year (may be extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation)

    “septic tank and a soil absorption system”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction of residential water-supply wells and installation of well pumps in Indiana.

    • Indiana Department of Health standards state that several local health departments require a permit before residential water-supply well construction or well-pump installation.
    • The cited statewide source does not identify which local health departments require permits; local requirements must therefore be checked for the specific property.
    • Water-well drillers must be licensed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
    “Several local health departments now require that a permit be obtained before construction of a residential water supply well or installation of a well pump.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Buildings used only for an agricultural purpose on the land where they are located and not used for retail trade, for purposes of Indiana state Class 1 construction-design-release requirements.

    • The building must be used only for an agricultural purpose.
    • The building must be located on the land where the agricultural purpose occurs.
    • The building must not be used for retail trade.
    • This is an exemption from Class 1/state design-release classification; it does not establish exemption from every local inspection, zoning, building, fire, or other applicable requirement.
    • Indiana's official Code Enforcement FAQ states that local units of government inspect agricultural buildings if they have an ordinance requiring inspection.

    state design-release classification: not Class 1 (Does not resolve local inspection or zoning requirements)

    “Buildings used only for an agricultural purpose on the land where they are located and not used for retail trade are not Class 1 structures.”
  • Campground & park staysLimited

    Recreational vehicle occupancy at a regulated Indiana campground campsite, rather than residential occupancy on an individually deeded lot or other land outside the rule's campground definition.

    • A campground is an area where campsites are leased or rented and provisions are made for ten or more tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes.
    • The campground must be established, operated, and maintained for recreational, health, education, sectarian, business, or tourist activities away from established residences.
    • The rule excludes primitive campgrounds, youth camps, and tracts of land divided into individually deeded lots.
    • No more than one recreational vehicle or one vacation mobile home may be allowed on a designated campsite at the same time.
    • Campground construction, additions, or significant construction changes require plans submitted at least ninety days before construction for department review and approval; the plans must be certified by a registered engineer or architect licensed in Indiana.
    • The rule does not establish a general statewide authorization for long-term residential RV occupancy outside regulated campgrounds.

    minimum campground provisions: >= 10 tents, recreational vehicles, park models, or vacation mobile homes · maximum recreational vehicles per designated campsite: 1 vehicle (one vacation mobile home may be used instead) · advance plan-submission period: >= 90 days (the department may waive plan review for a minor alteration)

    “No more than one (1) recreational vehicle or one (1) vacation mobile home”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from construction permits or inspections.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate-of-occupancy requirements in Wells County.
  • Local zoning — Whether incorporated municipalities, towns, or other local jurisdictions impose additional or different zoning rules.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private property.
3 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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.

Living off-grid in Wells County, Indiana

Is Wells County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Wells County scores 47/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: a durable current and mid-century hazard profile and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 49,478 people within a 30-minute drive and workable self-sufficiency basics (40.5″/yr rainfall).

Do you need a building permit in Wells County, Indiana?

Wells County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Wells County Health Department, Septic Division. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Wells County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Wells County is limited to specific cases: Residential occupancy of recreational vehicles in Wells County zoning jurisdiction. Within a recreational vehicle park, occupancy may not exceed eight months in a calendar year. The Board of Zoning Appeals may designate a portion of a recreational vehicle park for extended stays for one year, with one one-year extension. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Wells County, Indiana?

Land in Wells County runs about $10,111 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Wells County?

Wells County gets about 40.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.1% of years.

How remote is Wells County?

A representative private-land location has about 49,478 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,489,921 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

How Wells compares in Indiana

Compare side-by-side →See all 92 Indiana counties ranked →