Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Town of Burnettsville, Indiana

Town of Burnettsville’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Burnettsville town limits. The town adopted the joint White County Zoning Ordinance; it is administered by the White County Area Plan Commission, not by a separate town zoning office.

  • The ordinance's jurisdiction clause applies it to all land in White County except areas of a city or town that is not a member of the White County Area Plan Commission; the source does not state whether Burnettsville is a member, but the town is listed as an adopting jurisdiction.
  • The same ordinance repealed Burnettsville's own zoning ordinance dated December 6, 1994, so the town has no separate town-administered ordinance in this source.
  • The copy reviewed is marked updated through 8/21/23 and the section headings show amendments through 03/21/2022; later 2025-2026 amendments were not verified for Burnettsville.

  “adoption by governmental units: 1. county of white; 2. city of monticello; 3. town of brookston; 4. town of burnettsville; 5. town of chalmers; 6. town of monon; 7. town of reynolds; and 8. town of wolcott.”

Rules another office applies inside Town of Burnettsville

Town of Burnettsville 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

  Residential construction on land inside Burnettsville town, under White County Building & Planning. The county page does not name Burnettsville; applicability is inferred from the joint zoning ordinance adopted by the town.

  • Permit issuance requires written confirmation from the health department when the property is on septic.
  • The county page also requires written confirmation from TLRSD (Twin Lakes Regional Sewer District) for new construction where that district applies.
  • Properties on water must check whether they are in a flood area; if so, Indiana DNR approval may also be needed.

  “no building permit can be issued until white county building & planning has received confirmation from the health department in writing.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts for land inside Burnettsville town under the joint White County Zoning Ordinance.

  • Districts include A-1 general agriculture, A-2 agricultural industry, RR rural residential, L-1 lake, R-1 single-family, R-2 single and two-family, R-3 multi-family, R-4 mobile home park, several business and industrial districts, and AED and CFO overlays.
  • The official zoning map is maintained electronically by county staff.

  “all land within the jurisdiction of this ordinance is divided into the following types of districts: a. general agriculture district (a-1)”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Occupying a recreational vehicle on land inside Burnettsville town under the joint White County Zoning Ordinance.

  • Allowed in campgrounds (see temporary_camping) and in an approved mobile home park or AED district.
  • Other exceptions are where the ordinance expressly permits occupancy; section 4.4 use of recreational vehicles was not opened.

  “recreational vehicles shall not be occupied in any location other than an approved mobile home park or aed zoning district except where expressly permitted by this ordinance.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Tent, cabin and RV camping inside Burnettsville town under the White County Zoning Ordinance.

  • Campgrounds must be at least five acres and meet Indiana State Board of Health design and maintenance requirements.
  • Campgrounds must have direct access to a public street and a density cap of 36 RV spaces per the campground standards section.

  minimum recreational campground size: >= 5 acres

  “the minimum size of a recreational campground shall be five (5) acres. the design, installation, and maintenance shall be as required by the indiana state board of health.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Onsite septic systems on land inside Burnettsville town, handled by the White County Health Department (902 Foxwood Ct., Monticello). The county page does not name Burnettsville; applicability is inferred from the county-wide health department role.

  • Health department contact: (574) 583-2436.

  “contact the health department at (574) 583-2436 (902 foxwood ct., monticello) to obtain the necessary paperwork.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Homes on septic systems inside Burnettsville town (county page; not named for Burnettsville).

  • Either a septic permit or a verification letter from the White County Health Department confirming no permit is necessary is required before a building permit can be issued.

  “if you are on a septic system, you will need either: a) a septic permit; or b) a verification letter from the white county health department confirming that no permit is necessary.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit process for residential and commercial work under White County Building & Planning, which covers land inside Burnettsville town under the joint ordinance (county page does not name Burnettsville).

  • Permits are applied for online; the residential permit information sheet lists the steps and the health department, TLRSD and flood checks.
  • Fees and the full permit steps were not verified beyond the permit information sheet.

  “continued online building permits for residential, commercial, ilp, and building inspections. click here building permit applications”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Burnettsville or White County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a homeowner building on land inside Burnettsville town
• Building code adopted — Building code in force for new homes inside Burnettsville town
• Inspections — Building inspections for new homes inside Burnettsville town
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Burnettsville town
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for homes inside Burnettsville town under the joint White County ordinance

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.