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To get a permit or not….building permit questions answered




Yates

Yates

Warm weather means many Carroll County residents and property owners will tackle home improvements and “to do” lists. It is my job, as the County Area Plan Director and Zoning Administrator, to educate citizens about the need for “Improve Location Permits,” more commonly referred to as “Building Permits.”

Many questions arise daily in the Area Plan Office about permitting requirements. I will clarify the “muddy water” of the zoning ordinance so everyone can feel at ease while tackling each project.

Decks, pole barns, patios, swimming pools, portable sheds and solar panels are popular projects that require a permit to proceed. A permit is not needed to remodel the inside of a structure, unless there are planned changes to the footprint. If changes include adding onto a structure that changes the square footage, a permit is required.

Another popular summer project is roof work. A permit will only be required if the plan is to change the roofline. Adding new shingles or metal to the current roof does not require an Improvement Permit (Building Permit).

In addition, adding privacy to a residence with a fence also does not require a permit; however the fence must not infringe upon a neighboring property. There are requirements for any fence near a county drainage ditch as well as county-regulated drains. Contact County Surveyor Don Shockley, who can be reached by calling (765) 564- 3310 or by visiting the office located on the first floor of the courthouse in Delphi, before building a fence to ensure all setbacks from county property are being met.

Carroll County citizens are encouraged to reach out to the Area Plan office for questions about projects to ensure the permitting process for each project is as smooth as possible and meets the requirements to Carroll County Zoning Ordinance.

Anyone having questions may contact the APC office in the courthouse at (765) 564- 4468.