Bolthole Index

Howard County, Indiana

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

46Index Score / 100
#78 of 92 in Indiana

Unincorporated Howard County, Indiana requires a building permit for covered construction, alteration, repair or extension work costing more than $1001. County zoning applies outside the legally established planning jurisdictions of cities and towns2. Start with the Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission for county zoning and Improvement Location Permit applications; Howard County Environmental Health handles septic permits345.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered work in unincorporated Howard County costing more than $1001
Zoning
County zoning applies outside city and town planning jurisdictions; Kokomo and Greentown have their own zoning267
Septic permit
Required from Howard County Environmental Health before construction or repair89
Private well permit
Required for installation, alteration or major repair10
RV living
County rules were not confirmed; ask the Plan Commission about the parcel's district11
Tiny home
Ask the Plan Commission; principal dwellings in AZ, A1, RS1 and RS2 have a 720-square-foot ground-floor minimum12
Owner-installed septic
A homeowner may qualify to install their own septic system after an exam; permits still apply13
County-road driveway
A Highway Department driveway permit is required with a new-home ILP application14

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission

Improvement Location Permit and zoning applications for Howard County

765-456-2330

khcpc@cityofkokomo.org

224 N. Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901

Septic permits

Howard County Health Department – Environmental Health Office

On-site sewage permits, soil-test review and septic-system approvals

765-456-2406

environmental@howardcountyin.gov

120 E Mulberry St, Room #210, Kokomo, IN 46901

Floodplain permits

Howard County Surveyor's Office

MS4 permit required with a new-home Improvement Location Permit application

765-456-2217

Roads & driveways

Howard County Highway Department

Driveway permit required with a new-home Improvement Location Permit application

765-456-2802

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 Howard County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

Unincorporated Howard County requires a building permit before covered construction, alteration, repair or extension work costing more than $100 begins; the requirement includes building systems such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC work1. The Building Commissioner may require detailed plans and specifications1. Howard County has adopted construction codes for unincorporated areas, but the county code compilation references older editions15. Residential construction and accessory structures must comply with the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, based on the 2018 International Residential Code with Indiana amendments16. New-home Improvement Location Permit applications require approved-lot verification, a legal description, scaled plot plan, owner signature, septic or sewer documentation, an MS4 permit and a driveway permit3.

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

Start with the Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission at 224 N. Main Street, Kokomo, IN 46901; call 765-456-2330 or email khcpc@cityofkokomo.org4. Howard County's code establishes a Department of Buildings and Building Commissioner to administer and enforce county construction codes17. We could not confirm the current residential inspection office or schedule for unincorporated Howard County; ask the Plan Commission which office inspects your project184. Inside Kokomo, the City Civil Engineer issues general building permits for covered work; Greentown also issues its own building permits1920. Septic permitting remains with Howard County Environmental Health throughout the county5. Call Environmental Health at 765-456-2406 for septic, the Surveyor's Office at 765-456-2217 for the new-home MS4 permit, and the Highway Department at 765-456-2802 for the new-home driveway permit212223.

Does Howard County have zoning?

Howard County zoning applies outside the legally established planning jurisdictions of cities and towns, with uses and development standards determined by the parcel's district224. Kokomo and Greentown have their own zoning; Howard County Environmental Health still handles septic permitting679. For subdivisions under county jurisdiction, lots must be at least 60 feet wide at the building setback line and at least 7,200 square feet, but district and health requirements can demand more land25. Subdivision lots without community water and sanitary sewer must meet Board of Health lot-width and area requirements; lots with those services must meet the applicable zoning district's single-family standards25. Subdivision building lines follow the zoning code, rather than a single countywide setback26. The published district table varies front setbacks by road type, side setbacks by lot width and rear setbacks by district27. In AZ, A1, RS1 and RS2, the table limits combined principal and accessory building coverage to 30 percent and principal building height to 40 feet, with additional height restrictions possible2829. Ask the Plan Commission for current district dimensions before designing the site4.

How do septic permits work in Howard County?

The Howard County Health Department Environmental Health Office issues local septic permits9. Prior approval and a permit are required before an on-site sewage system is built or repaired, and a soil test is required to size the absorption field8. Howard County's soil data make that early test especially important: only about 0.8% of mapped soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field30. The permittee must request final inspection and give at least 48 hours, or two working days, of notice before subsurface portions are covered; the system cannot enter service before Health Officer acceptance3132. Howard County off-grid sanitation using an on-site sewage system still requires soil testing, plan approval, permitting, inspection and final acceptance; drywells and cesspools cannot be used as sewage treatment3334. A homeowner may install a system on their own property after passing the required regulations exam, but the exemption covers installer license fees and insurance rather than the septic permit itself13. Contact Environmental Health at 765-456-2406 or environmental@howardcountyin.gov21.

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

We could not confirm a Howard County rule that generally allows or prohibits living in an RV on a private parcel, so ask the Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission how the parcel's zoning district treats RV occupancy411. Indiana's campground rule does not settle that private-land question because it governs regulated campgrounds rather than individually deeded lots35. We also could not confirm a county rule aimed specifically at tiny homes11. A tiny home used as a principal dwelling still faces the published district standards: principal dwellings in AZ, A1, RS1 and RS2 have a 720-square-foot minimum ground-floor area12. Ask the Plan Commission whether the proposed unit is a permitted dwelling type in the parcel's district and which setbacks, foundation rules and permits apply4.

How do you apply for a new-home building permit in Howard County?

Confirm the parcel's jurisdiction, zoning district and approved-lot status with the Plan Commission; unapproved lots may require subdivision approval, and subdivision plats or replats cannot be recorded before written Commission approval3364.

For a new home, obtain either a Howard County septic-system permit or a City of Kokomo sanitary-sewer tap permit, plus the Surveyor's MS4 permit and Highway Department driveway permit37382223. The checklist does not establish a universal water or sewer hookup requirement for every parcel39.

Submit the owner-signed Improvement Location Permit application with a complete legal description and scaled plot plan showing existing and proposed buildings, rights-of-way, utility easements and drainage easements40. The published fee is $1 per $1,000 of improvement cost, with a $15 minimum and $1,000 maximum; an after-the-fact permit adds $10 per $1,0004142. The fee sheet is dated 2008, so confirm the current charge with the Plan Commission before applying434.

What should you check before buying land in Howard County?

Confirm zoning, legal-lot status and current dimensional standards with the Plan Commission before treating a parcel as buildable4445. Test the soil before assuming a conventional septic system will work because only about 0.8% of Howard County's mapped soils lack severe drain-field limitations30. If the property needs a private well, Howard County requires a permit for installation, alteration or major repair, and the application must come from a licensed installer10. Check the flood map too: Howard County requires an Improvement Location Permit before development in a special flood hazard area, and floodway work requires state authorization before the local building permit46. Howard County floodway-fringe structures must meet Flood Protection Grade requirements, and the zoning administrator inspects special-flood-hazard-area construction before, during and after construction47. A driveway onto an INDOT-controlled roadway needs an INDOT permit48. Typical local carrying costs include an effective property-tax rate near 0.7% and a median annual tax bill around $1,1104950.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm temporary camping or accessory-dwelling rules for unincorporated Howard County; ask the Plan Commission before planning either use4.
  • A state agricultural design-release exemption does not erase Howard County zoning, permit or inspection requirements for a farm building511.
  • Howard County requires the septic system to be certified approved before a certificate of occupancy is granted when the construction or use change requires residential sewage disposal52.

Sources

  1. Howard County Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  2. Howard County Zoning Ordinance - 2009-BCCO-21, quoted and re-checked
  3. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  4. Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission (in.gov)
  5. Howard County: On-Site Sewage Systems, quoted and re-checked
  6. Kokomo: § 157.01 Zoning Ordinance Adopted by Reference (Howard County), quoted and re-checked
  7. Town of Greentown: Chapter 156: Zoning (Howard County), quoted and re-checked
  8. Howard County: On-Site Sewage Systems, quoted and re-checked
  9. Howard County: On-Site Sewage Systems, quoted and re-checked
  10. Howard County Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  11. Howard County Plan Commission (2026 county census)
  12. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  13. Howard County - Complete Code of Ordinances, 2017 S-13, quoted and re-checked
  14. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  15. Howard County Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  16. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, quoted and re-checked
  17. Howard County Code, Title III Administration, quoted and re-checked
  18. DHS: Code Enforcement, quoted and re-checked
  19. Kokomo: § 150.02 General Building Permit Required (Howard County), quoted and re-checked
  20. Town of Greentown: Building Permit (Howard County), quoted and re-checked
  21. Howard County Health Department – Environmental Health Office (in.gov)
  22. Howard County Surveyor's Office (in.gov)
  23. Howard County Highway Department (in.gov)
  24. Howard County - Land Usage and Public Works, quoted and re-checked
  25. Howard County - Land Usage, quoted and re-checked
  26. Howard County - Land Usage, quoted and re-checked
  27. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  28. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  29. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  30. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Howard County Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  32. Howard County - Land Usage and Public Works, quoted and re-checked
  33. Howard County: On-Site Sewage Systems, quoted and re-checked
  34. Environmental Public Health: Onsite Sewage Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  35. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  36. Howard County - Land Usage and Public Works, quoted and re-checked
  37. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  38. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  39. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  40. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  41. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  42. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  43. Improvement Location Permit Information Required for Kokomo and Howard County, Indiana, quoted and re-checked
  44. Howard County Plan Commission, quoted and re-checked
  45. Howard County Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  46. Howard County Code of Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  47. Howard County - Land Usage and Public Works, quoted and re-checked
  48. INDOT Permits, quoted and re-checked
  49. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  50. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  51. Plan Review FAQs (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  52. Howard County Code of Ordinances, 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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Howard County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleHoward CountyTipton CountyMiami CountyClinton CountyGrant CountyCarroll CountyCass County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Howard County in Indiana

46
County map
Howard County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Howard County scores

Seclusion20100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency39100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability83100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost81100% 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 →

$196kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$5,875Land / acre
41.6"Annual rain
2% of yrsSevere drought
4 / yr (+3.7)Mid-century 100°F days
12.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.78" (+9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.76×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,422Home insurance / yr
1% / yrInsurance growth
0.71%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
151,444People within 30 min
4,752,949People within 2 hr
104,899Radius comparison (15 mi)
286People / sq mi
0%Federal land
99.1%Land at 15% slope or less
0.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
1,517 acWorkable land screen
10.1%Wooded land
59.5 tonsBiomass / forest ac
51.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Howard County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Center Township · Clay Township · Ervin Township · Harrison Township · Honey Creek Township · Howard Township · Jackson Township · Liberty Township · Monroe Township · Town of Russiaville · Taylor Township · Union Township

Answers from the rulebook for Howard County

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

Howard County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, or extension work in unincorporated Howard County costing more than $100.

    • A written statement must be submitted and approved before the permit is issued.
    • The Building Commissioner may require detailed plans and specifications.
    • The provision covers buildings, structures, dwellings, plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning work.

    contract price or estimated cost threshold: > 100 USD

    “having a contract price or estimated cost of more than $100 shall be started until”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    A homeowner installing an on-site sewage system on the homeowner’s own property in Howard County.

    • The exemption applies to license fees and insurance requirements for the OSS installer’s license.
    • The homeowner must submit to an examination covering state and local OSS regulations.
    • The installation may not be for real estate development or any other commercial interests.
    • The OSS permit requirements still apply before permit issuance, including a completed application, written soil-site evaluation, plat plan, OSS plan, and other required plan information.
    “A homeowner that wishes to install an OSS on his or her property is exempt from license fees and insurance requirements.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, relocation, and use in unincorporated Howard County.

    • The cited ordinance adopts older editions by reference; current code editions were not established from the opened official source.
    “The following rules, regulations and codes are hereby adopted by reference”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Howard County's county building department and building commissioner for construction-related administration and enforcement where county authority applies.

    • The ordinance establishes a county Department of Buildings and Office of Building Commissioner composed of the Building Commissioner, inspectors, and other personnel determined by the Board of County Commissioners.
    • The cited provision grants administration and enforcement authority over county-adopted ordinances and codes regulating construction and related building systems.
    • The provision does not by itself state that every residential project countywide must receive an inspection.
    • Incorporated municipalities or other local government entities may be the responsible residential inspection authority under the statewide rule.
    “The Building Commissioner shall have the power to administer and enforce any and all ordinances or codes adopted now or hereafter”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Construction or change of use requiring a residential sewage-disposal system in unincorporated Howard County.

    • The sewage-disposal system must be certified approved before the certificate of occupancy is granted.
    • The cited condition is specific to construction or change of use involving the sewage-disposal system.
    “No certificate of occupancy will be granted for any construction or change of use”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning administered through the Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission under the Howard County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Specific uses and development standards depend on the applicable zoning district and other permit requirements.
    “Below you will find all the current county ordinance documents as well as some archived ordinance documents. [...] Howard County Zoning Ordinance - 2009-BCCO-21”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County zoning regulation of development in Howard County's unincorporated jurisdiction.
      “The Zoning Code, being Ordinance 1981-9, passed July 13, 1981, as may be amended from time to time, is hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this code as if fully set forth herein.”
    • Present (with conditions) — Land within Howard County outside the legally established planning jurisdiction of its cities and towns.
      “JURISDICTION OF THE COMMISSION. The unincorporated territory of Howard County, Indiana. [...] ZONING CODE. The part of the Master Plan, now or hereafter adopted, which includes an ordinance and zone maps which divides the area under the jurisdiction of the Commission into districts, with regulations and requirements and procedures for the establishment of land use controls.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate conclusion for zoning within Howard County: the official Improvement Location Permit document separately identifies City of Kokomo regulations and Howard County regulations, so applicable local zoning standards vary by jurisdiction.

    • The cited document provides separate City of Kokomo and Howard County standards; it does not establish the standards of every incorporated municipality in the county.
    • Applicants must use the standards applicable to the jurisdiction and zoning district of the property.
    “Regulations for CITY OF KOKOMO Improvement Location Permits Regulations for HOWARD COUNTY Improvement Location Permits”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present (with conditions) — County zoning administered through the Kokomo-Howard County Plan Commission in the county planning jurisdiction, especially unincorporated Howard County.
      “Regulations for HOWARD COUNTY Improvement Location Permits”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal dwellings in Howard County zoning districts AZ, A1, RS1, and RS2.

    • The table states minimum ground-floor area of 720 square feet for one-story and two-story dwellings in each listed district.
    • The source is an Improvement Location Permit information sheet and should be checked against the current zoning ordinance.

    minimum ground floor area, one-story dwelling: 720 sq ft · minimum ground floor area, two-story dwelling: 720 sq ft

    “One-story Dwelling 720sq.ft. 720sq.ft. 720sq.ft. 720sq.ft.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in subdivisions within the Howard County subdivision-control jurisdiction.

    • For lots without community water and sanitary sewer, lot widths and areas are determined under Board of Health regulations.
    • For subdivisions with community water and sanitary sewer, lot width and area must be at least the zoning-code requirement for single-family dwellings in the applicable district.
    • In all cases covered by the quoted minimum, lot width at the building setback line may not be less than 60 feet and lot area may not be less than 7,200 square feet.

    minimum lot width at building setback line: >= 60 feet · minimum lot area: >= 7200 square feet

    “Widths and areas of lots which are not served by community water and sanitary sewer systems shall be determined in accordance with regulations of the Board of Health. For subdivisions with community water and sanitary sewer systems, the width and area of lots shall be not less than that provided in the Zoning Code for single-family dwellings for the district in which the subdivision is located. In no instance shall the width of the lot at the building setback line be less than 60 feet and the area of the lot be less than 7,200 square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Subdivision building lines and setbacks within the Howard County subdivision-control jurisdiction.

    • Building lines are governed by the Howard County Zoning Code.
    • The opened subdivision-control provision does not provide a single countywide numeric setback; applicable dimensions depend on the zoning district and applicable zoning standards.
    “Building lines shall be as provided in the Zoning Code, as adopted in Chapter 153.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Combined primary and accessory structures in Howard County zoning districts AZ, A1, RS1, RS2, and R1.

    • The table lists maximum lot coverage of 30 percent for each of the four displayed Howard County districts.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 30 percent (District table values shown for AZ, A1, RS1, RS2, and R1.)

    “Maximum Lot Coverage (as a percentage of total Lot Area): 30% 30% 30% 30%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Maximum building height in the Howard County district table.

    • The source footnote states to see Section 3.7-D for additional height restrictions.

    maximum building height: 40 ft (Section 3.7-D may impose additional restrictions.)

    “Maximum Building Height (4): 40ft. 40 ft. 40 ft. 40ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes installed or substantially improved on a site for more than 180 days in Howard County special flood hazard areas.

    • The manufactured home must be elevated on a permanent foundation with the lowest floor at or above the Flood Protection Grade and securely anchored.
    • In an existing manufactured-home park or subdivision not substantially damaged by a flood, the chassis must be supported by reinforced piers or other foundation elements at least 36 inches above grade and securely anchored.
    • The requirements apply outside a manufactured-home park or subdivision, in a new park or subdivision, in an expansion, or in an existing park or subdivision with substantial flood damage.

    minimum pier height in specified existing parks: >= 36 inches above grade

    “Manufactured homes and recreational vehicles to be installed or substantially improved on a site for more than 180 days must meet one of the following anchoring requirements:”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    On-site sewage systems in Howard County.

    • The permit is issued through the Howard County Health Department Environmental Health Office.
    • The page states that soil types and bedroom count affect system size and that a soil test is needed in all cases.
    • Indiana onsite sewage rules also apply.
    “Prior to construction or repair of an on-site sewage system (septic system), the property owner is required to obtain a permit from the Environmental Health Office.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Residential on-site sewage systems administered by the Howard County Health Department Environmental Health Office.
      “required to obtain a permit from the Environmental Health Office.”
    • County (with conditions) — On-site sewage systems in Howard County.
      “Prior to construction or repair of an on-site sewage system (septic system), the property owner is required to obtain a permit from the Environmental Health Office. The size of the system is determined by factors such as soil types and the number of bedrooms in the house.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction or repair of an on-site sewage system in Howard County.

    • A soil test is needed to determine the absorption-field area.
    • Any work on a septic system must receive prior approval before work begins.
    • The application requires all information requested by the health department and health-department approval before issuance.

    health-department decision period: 45 days (The application form states the health department has 45 days to issue or deny a permit under IC 16-41-25-1.)

    “In all cases, a soil test is needed to determine the area of the absorption field. Any work performed on a septic system must receive prior approval before the work begins.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction or repair of an on-site sewage system in Howard County.
      “Prior to construction or repair of an on-site sewage system”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Permitted residential soil-absorption systems in Howard County.

    • The permittee must notify the Health Officer when work is ready for final inspection and at least 48 hours or two working days before subsurface portions are covered.
    • Additional inspections may incur additional fees.
    • The system may not be placed in service until Health Officer acceptance.

    advance notice: >= 48 hours (Or two working days before subsurface portions are covered.)

    “The permittee shall notify the Health Officer or his or her designee when the work is ready for final inspection and at least 48 hours or two working days before any subsurface portions are to be covered.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Residential soil-absorption systems permitted by the Howard County Health Department.
      “when the work is ready for final inspection”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Residential construction using an on-site sewage system instead of sanitary sewer.

    • Off-grid sanitation is subject to Howard County Health Department permitting, soil testing, plan approval, inspection, and final acceptance.
    • The septic system must be certified approved before a certificate of occupancy may be granted.
    “In all cases, a soil test is needed to determine the area of the absorption field. Any work performed on a septic system must receive prior approval before the work begins.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Installation, alteration, or major repair of a private water well or pump in Howard County.

    • Emergency repairs may be made without first obtaining a permit when the Health Department office is closed, but a permit must be obtained within five working days.
    • The permit application must be made by a licensed installer and include plans, specifications, and other information deemed necessary by the Health Officer.

    emergency repair permit deadline: 5 working days (after emergency repair)

    “unless a permit for the system has been issued by the Health Officer.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New homes in Howard County applying for an improvement location permit.

    • The applicant must submit either a Howard County septic system permit or a City of Kokomo sanitary sewer tap permit.
    • An MS4 permit and Howard County driveway permit are also required for new homes.
    “A Septic System Permit from the Howard County Health Department [...] OR A Sanitary Sewer Tap Permit from the City of Kokomo”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision and platting within the territorial jurisdiction of the Howard County Plan Commission.

    • No plat or replat may be recorded until approved by the Commission and entered in writing on the plat.
    • No subdivision may be created, established, or platted until compliance with the chapter and Master Plan, except as otherwise provided.
    • Parcel divisions for purposes other than agricultural use are reviewed by the Commission.
    “No plat or replat of a subdivision of land located within the jurisdiction of Commission shall be recorded until it shall have been approved by the Commission, and such approval shall have been entered in writing on the plat”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New homes applying for an improvement location permit in Howard County.

    • A driveway permit from the Howard County Highway Department must be submitted with the improvement location permit application.
    • The cited material does not state separate requirements for existing homes or state highways.
    “A Driveway Permit from the Howard County Highway Department (Phone: 765-456-2802)”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in a Special Flood Hazard Area in Howard County.

    • An improvement location permit is required before development in the SFHA.
    • If the site is in an identified floodway, the application must be forwarded to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and a state floodway permit is required before the local building permit.
    • State-law exemptions may apply.
    “No person, firm, corporation or governmental body not exempted by state law shall commence any development in the SFHA”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in Howard County special flood hazard areas, floodways, floodway fringes, and undetermined floodplains as governed by Chapter 151.
      “Ensure that construction authorization has been granted by the Indiana Natural Resources Commission for all development projects subject to § 151.07”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Howard County Improvement Location Permit fees.

    • The fee is calculated from estimated or contracted improvement cost.
    • An after-the-fact permit surcharge applies.
    • The cited document is labeled K.-H.C.P.C. 2/21/2008; no current replacement fee schedule was identified in the opened material.

    base permit fee: per 1 USD per 1000 USD of estimated or contracted improvement cost · minimum fee: 15 USD · maximum fee: 1000 USD · after-the-fact surcharge: per 10 USD per 1000 USD of estimated cost (Additional surcharge.)

    “A permit fee which is calculated at $1.00 per $1,000.00 of estimated or contracted cost of the improvement. The minimum fee is $15.00. The maximum fee is $1,000.00.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Permit processPartial

    Howard County Improvement Location Permit applications for new homes and other improvements.

    • A complete legal description is required.
    • A scaled plot plan must show existing and proposed buildings, rights of way, utility easements, and drainage easements.
    • The owner’s signature is required for all permit applications.
    • New homes require verification of an approved building lot and supporting septic or sewer, MS4, and driveway permits.
    “The following items must be submitted with the application for an Improvement Location Permit: 1. A complete legal description of the property - Lot Number and Addition or full Metes and Bounds Description. Tax codes and short tax descriptions are not acceptable. 2. A plot plan drawn to scale showing the location and sizes of all existing and proposed buildings.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic

Indiana rules that apply here

  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Indiana agricultural buildings or structures evaluated for the Class 1 structure agricultural-purpose exemption.

    • The structure must be used for an agricultural purpose, generally related to cultivation of soil, production of crops, or raising livestock.
    • The structure may not be used for another purpose such as a restaurant or event center.
    • The structure must be located on the land where the agricultural operation is located; this is the “farm rule.”
    • The structure may not be used for retail trade.
    • A stand used for retail sales of farm produce must not operate for more than 8 consecutive months in a calendar year.
    • If any stated condition fails, the agricultural exemption does not apply.

    maximum consecutive months for farm-produce retail stand: <= 8 months (Retail trade in a structure that is not a stand disqualifies the exemption regardless of duration.)

    “If no, the agricultural exemption applies, and the building or structure is not a Class 1 structure”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (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.
      “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

    Occupancy of manufactured homes as principal residences in Indiana mobile home communities and related state health-regulated settings.

    • The state statute recognizes mobile homes and manufactured homes as suitable and necessary dwelling units in Indiana.
    • A mobile home community is generally land with at least five mobile homes or manufactured homes occupied as principal residences, subject to the statutory definition and included parcel configurations.
    • County and municipal authorities retain jurisdiction regarding zoning and building codes and ordinances pertaining to mobile home communities.
    • A mobile home community may not be operated without a license from the state department.
    • Occupied homes in a mobile home community must be connected to the community sewerage system at all times.
    • Each residential shelter in a mobile home community must have toilet, sink, and bath or shower facilities and be connected to water supply and sewer service before occupancy.
    • Mobile home community sites must meet and receive approval under local zoning requirements before construction begins.

    mobile homes or manufactured homes for statutory mobile home community definition: >= 5 homes (The statute also includes certain parcels with fewer units when specified shared-road, water, or sewer/septic conditions apply.) · mobile home community license duration: 4 years (The license expires at midnight on December 31.) · public water system distance threshold: > 2000 feet (A mobile home community is not required to use a public water system if the system is more than 2,000 feet away.)

    “Every shelter occupied as a residence in a mobile home community, whether mobile or permanent, shall be: 1. equipped with toilet, sink, and bath or shower facilities; and 2. Connected to the water supply and sewer service; before occupancy.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — 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.
      “No more than one (1) recreational vehicle or one (1) vacation mobile home”
    • Limited — Temporary campgrounds operated in Indiana.
      “not more than ten (10) consecutive days per event”
    • Limited — Occupancy of manufactured homes in Indiana, especially occupancy in mobile home communities subject to state health and sanitation standards and local zoning and building-code authority.
      “Mobile home community sites shall: 1. meet all requirements of the local zoning commission; and 2. be approved by the commission; before construction begins. (c) Every shelter occupied as a residence in a mobile home community, whether mobile or permanent, shall be: 1. equipped with toilet, sink, and bath or shower facilities; and 2. Connected to the water supply and sewer service; before occupancy.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Indiana counties' authority to adopt and enforce administrative building-code provisions, including building-permit or plan-review requirements, for residential construction in their jurisdiction, including Class 2 one- and two-dwelling-unit structures.

    • A county's substantive building and fire-safety provisions outside mere incorporation of Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission rules are described by IDHS as unenforceable and may not be adopted; modification of Commission standards may occur only through Commission rulemaking.
    • The State's county-or-municipality model ordinance excludes industrialized building systems and mobile structures certified under IC 22-15-4.
    • The model ordinance states that it is not applicable to regulated amusement devices, regulated boilers, regulated pressure vessels, or regulated lifting devices.
    • The model ordinance conditions permit issuance on a complete application, any applicable fee, conformity with applicable building and fire-safety laws, and no violation of other applicable ordinances or laws.
    “HEA 1575 did not eliminate the authority of local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce administrative provisions in building and fire safety ordinances”

Still unanswered

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

  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land in Howard County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Howard County.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Howard County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Howard County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rental use in Howard County.

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 Howard County, Indiana

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

Howard County scores 46/100 on the Bolthole Index, a marginal county profile. Its strengths: a durable current and mid-century hazard profile and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: about 151,444 people within a 30-minute drive and workable self-sufficiency basics (41.6″/yr rainfall).

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

Howard County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Howard County Health Department - Environmental Health. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. 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.

How much does land cost in Howard County, Indiana?

Land in Howard County runs about $5,875 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Howard County?

Howard County gets about 41.6" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2% of years.

How remote is Howard County?

A representative private-land location has about 151,444 people within a 30-minute drive and 4,752,949 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.

How Howard compares in Indiana

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