Bolthole Index

Jefferson County, Indiana

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

Unincorporated Hanover Township, Indiana (Jefferson County) requires an improvement location permit before most new construction1. Jefferson County sets the zoning there, while the Town of Hanover and its buffer area are zoned by the town2. Septic permits come from the Jefferson County Health Department3. Living in an RV is allowed only in an approved campground4.

At a glance

Building permit
Improvement location permit (ILP) required in unincorporated Hanover Township1
Zoning
Jefferson County zoning applies outside the Town of Hanover's zoning control; unlisted land is agricultural (AG)2
Septic
Jefferson County Health Department permit before the ILP is issued3
RV living
Not allowed outside an approved campground or RV park4
Accessory dwelling
Special exception, with an existing owner-occupied house5
AG lot size
50,000 sq ft minimum, more if septic needs it6
Floodplain
County permit required for work in a mapped floodplain7

Who to call

Building permits

Jefferson County Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection

Improvement location permits, building inspection, county zoning and floodplain administration for unincorporated land

812-265-8925

315 Jefferson Street Annex Building Madison, IN 47250

Zoning

Town of Hanover

Planning and zoning for land inside the Town of Hanover and its buffer

812-866-2131

Septic permits

Jefferson County Health Department

Septic permits or approval letters for plumbing not connected to municipal sewer

Roads & driveways

Jefferson County Highway Department

County roads and bridges; ask about entrance and culvert requirements

812-273-1708

3135 Clifty Drive Madison, IN 47250

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Hanover Township 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.

Does Hanover Township, Indiana have zoning?

Yes, with a split. Jefferson County's Unified Development Ordinance zones unincorporated land in Hanover Township, but not land under the zoning control of the Town of Hanover or its buffer, which the town governs2. Jefferson County's planning office says it has no jurisdiction in town-zoned areas and points people to the Town of Hanover8. Check which side of the line a parcel sits on before anything else.

Outside the town, the county publishes zoning districts named AG, R1, R2, R3, NB, GB, I1 and I2, plus flood hazard and airport overlays, and land not placed in a district is treated as agricultural9. The county page is Jefferson County.

Do you need a building permit in Hanover Township, and who issues it?

Yes. In unincorporated Hanover Township, the county requires an improvement location permit (ILP) to construct or establish structures, and construction may proceed only after it is issued1. Jefferson County Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection issues it and also handles floodplain administration10. Demolition needs a permit too, with no fee11.

Inside the Town of Hanover, contact the town instead: the county office says it has no jurisdiction there8. We could not confirm the town's own building-permit process, so ask the town at the number listed below.

Permit fees follow the county's adopted fee schedule and are collected when the ILP is issued12. The county accepts cash or check only13.

How do septic permits work in Hanover Township?

Septic comes first. The county will not issue an ILP for a structure served by a septic system until the Jefferson County Health Department has issued a septic permit or the health officer has authorized an approved system3. The county building page lists the same requirement for any plumbing not connected to municipal sewer14.

Indiana runs this through local health departments under a state rule, with the state health department reviewing each local program15. Drywells and cesspools are not allowed for residential sewage in Indiana16.

Soils matter in Jefferson County: only about 7% of soils rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system17. In the AG district, the minimum lot may need to be larger than the base figure if septic requires it6.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Hanover Township?

An RV cannot be a home on unincorporated land in Hanover Township. Residential occupancy is permitted only inside an approved campground or RV park4. Outside a campground, an RV may be used for recreation only, for no more than 14 consecutive days, with no permanent utilities and no more than 6 RVs occupied on a parcel18.

While you build, a manufactured home may be occupied temporarily by the owner constructing a permanent dwelling, relatives or employees, but it must stay on its wheels and not sit on a permanent foundation19.

An accessory dwelling needs a special exception, an existing owner-occupied house, and between 220 and 800 square feet5. We could not confirm a tiny-home rule; ask the county planning office.

What are the lot size, setback and house size rules in Hanover Township?

Rules depend on the district. In the AG district, the minimum lot area is 50,000 sq ft (or larger if septic requires it) and the minimum lot width is 200 feet6. The front setback is 50 feet from the right-of-way, or 80 feet from the center of the road if the right-of-way is not dedicated20. Impervious surface is capped at 35%21.

In R1, the minimum lot is 10,000 sq ft22, the front setback is 25 feet23, and a single-family dwelling needs at least 950 sq ft of living area24. The county's tables list municipal water and sewer as required in R125, which rules out septic there. Confirm side and rear setbacks, and which district a parcel is in, with the county planning office.

Building a home in Hanover Township: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is in county zoning or the Town of Hanover's zoning control, using the county zoning map2.
  2. Check the district's lot size and setbacks6.
  3. If the parcel is not on municipal sewer, get a septic permit from the Jefferson County Health Department3.
  4. If the parcel touches a mapped floodplain, ask about floodplain approval; floodway work also needs an Indiana DNR permit7.
  5. Apply for the ILP at Jefferson County Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection and pay by cash or check13.
  6. Build only after the ILP is issued1.
  7. Splitting off a new lot is a separate step: the Plan Commission approves new plats outside town zoning26.

What stays with Jefferson County, and what to check before you buy

Septic, floodplain review and plat approval all run through county offices, even for parcels near the Town of Hanover326. For a driveway, we could not confirm a general access permit rule; call the county highway department, which is responsible for all county roads27.

Countywide figures: Jefferson County's effective property tax rate is 0.7%28, the median property tax bill is about $1,191 a year29, and typical farmland sells for about $6,815 an acre30. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 44 miles away31.

Watch-outs

  • Parcels near the Town of Hanover may fall under the town's zoning or buffer area, where the county has no jurisdiction8.
  • We could not confirm which building code applies to a new home, or whether Indiana's rules give owners an exemption for building their own home; ask Jefferson County Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection10.
  • We could not confirm county fee amounts, private well permit rules or septic inspection steps; ask the Jefferson County Health Department and the planning office14.
  • The county's tables list municipal water and sewer as required in R1, so confirm the district before counting on a septic system25.

Sources

  1. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection - Jefferson County, Indiana (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Town of Hanover (jeffersoncounty.in.gov)
  9. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Jefferson County Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection (jeffersoncounty.in.gov)
  11. Building Permits & Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  12. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  13. Building Permits & Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  14. Jefferson County Health Department (jeffersoncounty.in.gov)
  15. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. 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
  18. Can I live in a RV? - Jefferson County UDO guidance (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  20. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  21. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  22. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  23. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. jeffersoncounty.in.gov (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  25. Jefferson County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), effective 4-6-2023, amended 9-18-2025 (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  26. Planning, Zoning & Building Inspection - Jefferson County, Indiana (Hanover Township), quoted and re-checked
  27. Jefferson County Highway Department (jeffersoncounty.in.gov)
  28. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  31. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 23, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Hanover Township

Rules another office applies inside Hanover Township

Hanover 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 and establishment of structures in unincorporated Hanover township under county zoning

    • Permit is an improvement location permit (ILP) issued under the county UDO.
    • Construction may proceed only after the ILP is issued.
    • Applies only where the county UDO applies (outside Town of Hanover zoning control).
    “an ilp is required to construct and/or establish all structures as required by this udo in order to ensure that the structure meets all of the applicable building codes and is safe and habitable.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County Unified Development Ordinance zoning for unincorporated land in Hanover township outside Town of Hanover zoning control. This is county zoning, not a township ordinance.

    • Land within the zoning control of the Town of Hanover or its buffer is excluded and governed by the town.
    • Land not specifically included in a district is in the general agriculture (AG) district.
    • The UDO was amended 9-18-2025 per the cover page; claim values reflect the posted text.
    “the udo shall apply to all land within the jurisdiction of the jefferson county advisory plan commission that are not subject to the zoning jurisdiction of the governmental units of madison and hanover.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts applying in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Districts: AG, R1, R2, R3, NB, GB, I1, I2, plus flood hazard and airport overlays.
    • Land not specifically included in a district is in the AG district.
    “the jurisdictional area is hereby classified and divided into the zoning districts outlined below.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the R1 low-density residential district in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Minimum living area 950 sq ft per unit, from the R1 structure table.
    • Table extracted from a scrambled PDF; confirm against the official PDF.

    minimum living area: >= 950 sq ft per unit

    “r1 structure standards maximum height of structure primary structure accessory structure minimum living area minimum width of primary structure residential uses non-residential uses 35 feet 20 feet1 950 sq. ft. per unit 18 feet”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in the AG agricultural district in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Minimum lot width 200 feet (100 feet on cul-de-sac); flag lots must meet lot width standards.
    • Minimum lot area 50,000 sq ft, or larger if required for septic.
    • Table extracted from a scrambled PDF; confirm against the official PDF.

    minimum lot area: >= 50000 sq ft (larger if required for septic) · minimum lot width: >= 200 feet (100 feet on cul-de-sac)

    “200 feet1 or 100 feet on cul-de-sac 50,000 sq. ft. (1.15 acres) 50,000 sq. ft. (1.15 acres) or larger if required for septic”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Lots in the R1 low-density residential district in unincorporated Hanover township
      “100 feet or 50 feet on cul-de-sac but 100 feet or cannot exceed 1:8 width 50 feet on cul-de-sac to depth ratio2 10,000 sq. ft. (0.23 acres)”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Primary structures in the AG agricultural district in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Front setback 50 feet from right-of-way, or 80 feet from center of road if right-of-way is not dedicated.
    • Accessory structure front setback 20 feet; side and rear values from the scrambled table; confirm against the official PDF.

    minimum front yard setback, primary structure: >= 50 feet (from right-of-way; 80 feet from center of road if right-of-way not dedicated)

    “50 feet from right-of-way or 80 feet from center of road if right-of-way is not dedicated by written, recorded document 20 feet 5 feet 10 feet 5 feet 35%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Primary structures in the R1 low-density residential district in unincorporated Hanover township
      “10,000 sq. ft. (0.23 acres) 25 feet from right-of-way or 55 feet from center of road if right-of-way is not dedicated by written, recorded document”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Impervious surface coverage on AG lots in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Maximum impervious surface coverage 35%.

    maximum impervious surface coverage: <= 35 percent

    “50 feet from right-of-way or 80 feet from center of road if right-of-way is not dedicated by written, recorded document 20 feet 5 feet 10 feet 5 feet 35%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Impervious surface coverage on R1 lots in unincorporated Hanover township
      “10 feet 20 feet 5 feet 10 feet 15 feet 20 feet 5 feet 10 feet 50% 50% r1 utility standards”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in the R1 low-density residential district in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Primary structure maximum height 35 feet.
    • Accessory structure maximum height 20 feet (table note 1).

    maximum height, primary structure: <= 35 feet · maximum height, accessory structure: <= 20 feet

    “r1 structure standards maximum height of structure primary structure accessory structure minimum living area minimum width of primary structure residential uses non-residential uses 35 feet 20 feet1 950 sq. ft. per unit 18 feet”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Structures in the AG agricultural district in unincorporated Hanover township
      “ag structure standards maximum height of structure residential uses non-residential uses 40 feet 30 feet 600 sq. ft. 50 feet 50 feet n/a”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Permitted only inside an approved campground or RV park approved by the Indiana State Department of Health.
    • Recreational temporary use outside a campground is covered by a separate limited claim.
    “recreational vehicles are not permitted to be used for residential occupancy outside of a campground or an rv park approved by the indiana state department of health (isdh).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping in an RV on private land in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Campgrounds (2 or more campsites) are the lawful location for overnight camping occupancy beyond 14 consecutive days.
    • Outside a campground, RV recreational use is limited to the conditions in the county guidance.
    • Campground standards in UDO Chapter 3 were not extracted; tent camping rules not found.

    minimum campsites for a campground: >= 2 campsites

    “living in an rv more than 14 consecutive days is only permitted in an approved campground.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Temporary occupancy of a manufactured home while a permanent dwelling is under construction in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Manufactured home must meet HUD code and remain on its wheels, not on a permanent foundation.
    • Occupancy is restricted to relatives, persons employed on the property, or the owner constructing a permanent dwelling.
    • Permanent manufactured-home occupancy rules in UDO Chapter 4 were not extracted.
    “the manufactured home shall remain on its wheels and shall not be placed on a permanent foundation.”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling on a residential parcel in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Allowed by special exception in AG, R1, R2, R3 and NB districts.
    • Only on lots with an existing, lawfully built single-family dwelling that is owner-occupied.
    • RV, travel trailer, motor vehicle, or non-permanent structure is prohibited as accessory dwelling.
    • Must use the existing driveway; separate driveway not granted.
    • Septic must be approved by the Jefferson County Health Department.

    minimum area: >= 220 sq ft · maximum area: <= 800 sq ft (or 50% of primary dwelling unit, whichever is less) · maximum height: <= 25 feet (or height of primary dwelling unit, whichever is less) · accessory dwellings per parcel: <= 1 units

    “accessory dwelling structure standards minimum area 220 sq ft maximum area 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling unit (whichever is less) maximum height 25 feet or the height of the primary dwelling unit (whichever is less)”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Structures served by a septic system in unincorporated Hanover township

    • An ILP is not issued for a septic-served structure until a septic permit is issued by the Jefferson County Health Department or the health officer authorizes an approved system.
    “no ilp shall be issued for a structure that is served by a septic system unless a septic permit has been issued by the jefferson county health department or the health officer has authorized an approved system.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)

    New homes on R1 low-density residential lots in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Table lists municipal water and sewer as required in R1; the cell is from a scrambled PDF table and should be confirmed.
    • Applies only in the R1 district under county zoning.
    “r1 utility standards municipal water and sewer required yes r1 additional site development standards”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Plats of new subdivisions in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Plan Commission approves new plats outside the Madison and Town of Hanover zoning jurisdictions.
    • Individual septic lots must meet Health Department and UDO lot-area requirements.
    “the plan commission oversees and approves new plats of subdivisions in the county (outside of the city of madison&rsquo;s and town of hanover&rsquo;s zoning jurisdictions).”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction, excavation, grading, paving or improvement in a mapped floodplain in unincorporated Hanover township under county zoning

    • Floodway work also requires an Indiana DNR permit before a local permit is issued.
    • Repairs and maintenance, farming and gardening are exempt from county and DNR permits per the county page.
    “you must contact our office for an improvement / building permit for any of the listed activities that occur within the floodplain in parcels that are in the jefferson county zoning jurisdiction.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Improvement location permit (ILP) process in unincorporated Hanover township

    • Application format is described in the UDO; the full format and fee schedule were not extracted.
    • ILP filing fee is set by the adopted fee schedule.
    “the applicant shall submit an application for an ilp in accordance with the application and complete it in accordance with the format described therein.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for a dwelling in unincorporated Hanover township
  • Building code adopted — Which building code applies to new construction in unincorporated Hanover township
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy in unincorporated Hanover township
  • Septic inspection — Septic inspection for a new home in unincorporated Hanover township
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation (no septic or sewer) for a home in unincorporated Hanover township
3 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Driveway access
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Hanover Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Jefferson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Jefferson County: county rules, score and offices