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

Rules another office applies inside Harrison Township

Harrison 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 inside Harrison township, Wells County, Indiana, issued by the Wells County Area Plan Commission office

  • The improvement location permit is issued by the county Area Plan Commission office; the Wells County health department septic permit must also be issued before the building permit is issued.
  • Construction may proceed only after the permit is issued.
  • Projects inside the City of Bluffton also need a City of Bluffton building permit; that does not apply to unincorporated Harrison township.
  • Fee schedule amounts are in the separate fee claim.

  “step #1 wells county improvement location permit for all of wells county, including city of bluffton.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permits and petitions granted by the Wells County Area Plan Commission office for land inside Harrison township

  • Inspection is a precondition to approval of a permit or petition, per the page's wording.
  • Septic inspection by the health department is a separate requirement (see septic_inspection claim).

  “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.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning district map covering land inside Harrison township

  • Map is available from the county GIS site; the district list and dimensional standards in the ordinance were not opened.
  • Ordinance copies are sold or viewable through the Area Plan Commission office.

  “zoning maps are available on the wells county gis website.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite septic systems for homes inside Harrison township, administered by the Wells County Health Department (Septic Division)

  • State rules (410 IAC 6-8.3) govern the systems; the county health department issues the permit under them.
  • Use the county's minimum requirement letter, registered installer and soil scientist steps as set out in the county guide.

  “how do i get my septic permit? wells county health department environmental health specialist 223 west washington street, bluffton, in 46714”

• Septic permitRequired

  New home construction, remodeling, or repair of a septic system on land inside Harrison township

  • Construction of any kind may not begin until the septic permit is issued.
  • Site evaluation form fee is $25.00 and a minimum requirement letter comes first; a soil evaluation by a registered soil scientist is required before the permit application.
  • Installer must be on the county registered list or register with the health department.

  site evaluation administration fee: 25 USD

  “construction of any kind may not begin until the septic permit is issued.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Septic systems installed on land inside Harrison township

  • Health department must be notified before any component is installed and when ready for inspection.
  • Owner must request final inspection; the health department may accept pictures only with prior notice if it cannot inspect within 2 working days.
  • Wetness conference is required before the absorption field is installed.

  “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)

  Land divisions inside Harrison township, under the Wells County Subdivision Control Ordinance

  • Major subdivisions require Area Plan Commission approval; minor subdivisions, additions and combines go to the Plat Committee, per the page.
  • The subdivision control ordinance text was not opened.

  “the wells county plat committee holds hearing on ponds, minor subdivisions, additions, and combines.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a home built inside Harrison township
• Building code adopted — Building code applied inside Harrison township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home inside Harrison township
• Local zoning — Whether Harrison township (Wells County) adopts its own zoning ordinance
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for the main single-family residential district inside Harrison 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.