Bolthole Index

Noble County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Kendallville, Indiana

Kendallville, Indiana routes building-permit applications through the city building inspector and administers its own zoning inside city limits.12 In Noble County, septic installations and repairs require a health department permit and a licensed installer.3 Kendallville’s Agricultural District allows a single-family lot of at least 1 acre with public sewer, but private sewage disposal needs Board of Health approval.4

At a glance

Building permits
City building inspector reviews applications; approval makes the building permit eligible to obtain1
Zoning
Kendallville administers its own zoning districts2
Septic permits
Noble County Health Department; licensed installer required for new systems and repairs3
Temporary camping
Tents may remain on a property for no more than 14 days; this does not establish residential RV permission5
Agricultural District lots
Minimum 1 acre with public sewer; private disposal needs Board of Health approval4
City water
Applicant pays installation costs and needs permission to tap the city main6

Who to call

Building permits

Kendallville Building, Planning and Zoning

City building-permit and zoning inquiries

(260) 347-2152

building@kendallvillein.gov

234 South Main Street

Online permits →

Building permits

Kendallville Building Permit Review

Online requests for building-permit application review and site-plan submission

Online permits →

Septic permits

Noble County Health Department — Septic and Wastewater

Septic installation and repair permits in Noble County

260-636-2191 ext. 2

jason.pippenger@nobleco.gov

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Kendallville means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Kendallville, IN?

For a building project inside Kendallville, start with the city building inspector’s application review, rather than the county building counter.1 Kendallville’s review page requires a dimensioned site plan for new construction, including attached or detached structures, sheds, fences and room additions.7 The city inspector reviews the request, contacts the owner about its status and makes an approved building permit eligible to obtain.1

Kendallville’s inspector may review an application for 10 working days to allow other departments time to review; that is a possible review period, not a promise of approval.1 Ask the city office for the current building-permit fee and inspection requirements for your specific project.

Who handles building permits and zoning in Kendallville?

Kendallville’s Building, Planning and Zoning office is the city contact for building and zoning questions.8 Call (260) 347-2152 or email building@kendallvillein.gov; the office lists its location as 234 South Main Street.8 Use the city’s online Building Permit Review form to submit the project for review, including the dimensioned site plan required for new construction.7

City building review does not replace septic approval: Noble County Health Department requires a septic permit and licensed installation for a new system or repair.3 For a parcel outside city limits, use the Noble County guide for the county building-permit requirements that apply in county jurisdiction.9

Does Kendallville have zoning, lot-size limits and building standards?

Kendallville has its own zoning districts, so the parcel’s district matters before you choose a house or accessory building.2 In Kendallville’s A, Agricultural District, the minimum single-family lot area is 1 acre with public sewer; private disposal requires Board of Health approval.4 The Agricultural District also lists minimum single-family net living space of 1,200 square feet.4

In Kendallville’s R-1, Single Family District, maximum lot coverage is 25%, and accessory buildings are limited to 10% of lot area or 960 square feet, whichever is less.10 The maximum structure height in that district is 25 feet.11 In the Agricultural District, maximum structure height is 35 feet and accessory-building coverage is limited to 10% of lot area.1213 Ask the city zoning office to confirm the parcel’s district, permitted use and applicable setbacks before finalizing a site plan.

How do septic permits work inside Kendallville?

For a Kendallville property using septic, Noble County Health Department handles the septic permit; the county requires a licensed installer for a new installation or repair.143 Septic applications must be made in the office, and the published septic fee is $100 per year.15

Noble County’s sewage rules specify 2 acres of suitable soil and/or usable terrain for an individual or single-family residence relying on septic, with permitting after soil evaluation and classification confirmation.16 Kendallville’s Agricultural District minimum of 1 acre is expressly for public sewer, so that zoning minimum alone does not establish septic eligibility.416

Countywide, only 8% of Noble County soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field; that screening figure supports getting a site evaluation, not concluding that septic is impossible on the remaining land.17

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Kendallville?

Kendallville’s temporary-building provisions allow tents on a property for no more than 14 days and recognize temporary structures in properly designated campgrounds or mobile home parks.5 Those provisions do not establish permission to use a private residential lot as a permanent RV home.5 Ask Kendallville Building, Planning and Zoning for an occupancy determination for the intended RV use, including living on-site while a house is built.

In Kendallville special flood hazard areas, installing a travel trailer or RV for more than 180 days triggers the city’s specified flood-damage protection provisions; that floodplain threshold is not general residential occupancy permission.18 We could not confirm a separate Kendallville tiny-home occupancy rule; ask the city zoning office how the proposed dwelling is classified. In the Agricultural District, the listed single-family minimum net living space is 1,200 square feet.4

What steps should you take before building a home in Kendallville?

  1. Ask Kendallville Building, Planning and Zoning to confirm the parcel’s zoning district and whether the proposed home and accessory uses fit the district. Kendallville administers its own zoning.2
  2. Resolve sewage disposal early: private disposal in the Agricultural District requires Board of Health approval, and Noble County requires a septic permit for new systems.43
  3. If requesting city water, budget for installation costs and obtain permission through the tapping-permit process.6
  4. Submit project information and a dimensioned site plan to the city building inspector for building-permit review; obtain the building permit after approval.7
  5. Ask the city to check floodplain status before setting building elevations: Kendallville requires flood protection for covered development in special flood hazard areas, including protection of onsite waste-disposal systems against flood impairment or contamination.18

Watch-outs

  • Kendallville’s 1-acre Agricultural District lot minimum is stated for public sewer, while Noble County’s individual septic-residence rule specifies 2 acres of suitable soil and/or usable terrain.416
  • We could not confirm a Kendallville owner-builder exemption, agricultural permit exemption or current city building-permit fee schedule; ask Kendallville Building, Planning and Zoning before budgeting or starting work.8
  • We could not confirm a Kendallville private-well permit rule or off-grid sanitation permission; ask the city building office and Noble County Health Department before buying a parcel for that use.815

Sources

  1. Building Permit Review (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Sec. 1.17. - Establishment of standard zoning districts (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Noble County: Septic and Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  4. Kendallville Code of Ordinances, Appendix B, § 3.07 (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 4.10. - Temporary buildings (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Who Maintains My Service Line? (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  7. Kendallville Building Permit Review (kendallvillein.gov)
  8. Kendallville Building, Planning and Zoning (kendallvillein.gov)
  9. Noble County: Required Permits & Inspections, quoted and re-checked
  10. Sec. 3.02. - R-1, Single Family District (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  11. Sec. 3.02. - R-1, Single Family District (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  12. Sec. 3.07. - A, Agricultural District (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  13. Sec. 3.07. - A, Agricultural District (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Noble County: Septic and Wastewater, quoted and re-checked
  15. Noble County Health Department — Septic and Wastewater (in.gov)
  16. Noble County Code of Ordinances, Sec. 29-59. Individual or single family residences, 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. Sec. 8.05. - Provisions for flood hazard reduction (Kendallville), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 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 Kendallville

Kendallville’s own rules

  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Kendallville city limits subject to Kendallville's adopted zoning code.

    • Only development standards expressly permitted and noted for a zoning district apply to that district.
    “For the purpose of this Code, the City of Kendallville has established the following zoning districts:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — Land inside Kendallville city limits; the City of Kendallville adopts and administers its own zoning code.
      “For the purpose of this Code, the City of Kendallville has established the following zoning districts:”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Kendallville zoning districts established in the adopted zoning code.

    • The code says districts stand alone and only expressly permitted and noted standards apply to each district.
    “For the purpose of this Code, the City of Kendallville has established the following zoning districts:”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lots in the A, Agricultural District.

    • Accessory buildings have a separate coverage limit.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 25 percent · minimum greenspace: >= 10 percent · maximum accessory-building coverage: <= 10 percent (of lot area)

    “Max. percentage of lot coverage [...]..25% Min. greenspace [...]..10% Max. height of structure (in feet) [...]..35 Max. coverage by accessory bldgs. [...]..10% of lot area”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Lots in the R-1, Single Family District.
      “Max. percentage of lot coverage [...]..25% Min. greenspace [...]..10% Max. height of structure (in feet) [...]..25 Max. coverage by accessory bldgs. [...]..10% of lot area or 960 SF, whichever is lesser”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures in the A, Agricultural District.

    maximum structure height: <= 35 feet

    “Max. height of structure (in feet) [...]..35 Max. coverage by accessory bldgs. [...]..10% of lot area”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Structures in the R-1, Single Family District.
      “Max. height of structure (in feet) [...]..25 Max. coverage by accessory bldgs. [...]..10% of lot area or 960 SF, whichever is lesser”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary camping and tent placement inside Kendallville city limits.

    • Tents may be placed on a property for not greater than fourteen days.
    • Temporary structures may be located in a properly designated campground or mobile home park.

    maximum tent duration: <= 14 days

    “Tents placed on a property for not greater than fourteen (14) days; 5. Temporary structures located in a properly designated campground or mobile home park.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    A facility inside Kendallville city limits that requests city water.

    • The applicant is fully responsible for installation costs.
    • Permission through the permitting process is required to tap the city main.
    • The opened sources did not establish a universal water-or-sewer connection mandate based on distance or availability.
    “When a business or resident builds a facility and requests city water, they are fully responsible for all installation costs. They must get permission through the permitting process to tap into our main lines and place a corporation stop or other approved tap in the city’s large main (Section 16-34), (Section 16-66), (Section 16-91).”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Secondary plats submitted to the Kendallville City Plan Commission.

    • Each secondary plat must carry a deed of dedication in substantially the prescribed form.
    • The cited section includes application fees incorporated in General Ordinance No. 978.
    “Each Secondary Plat submitted to the Commission for approval shall carry a deed of dedication in substantially the following form:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivision plats inside Kendallville city limits.
      “The following forms shall be used in secondary plats: 1. Commission certificate. Under authority provided by Chapter 174, Acts of 1947, General Assembly of the State of Indiana, and all acts amendatory thereto, and an ordinance adopted by the Common Council of the City of Kendallville, Indiana, this plat was given approval by the City of Kendallville as follows:”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    New construction, substantial improvements, manufactured homes, travel trailers or recreational vehicles over 180 days, and other development in Kendallville special flood hazard areas.

    • In all SFHAs, required flood-damage provisions apply.
    • Residential structures and manufactured homes must have the lowest floor, including basement, at or above the FPG, defined as two feet above base flood elevation.
    • A travel trailer or recreational vehicle installed on a site for more than 180 days is within the specified protected situations.
    • On-site waste-disposal systems must avoid impairment or contamination during flooding.

    RV installation threshold: > 180 days (site installation in an SFHA)

    “On-site waste disposal systems shall be located and constructed to avoid impairment to them or contamination from them during flooding. [...] Installing a travel trailer or recreational vehicle on a site for more than 180 days. [...] New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor; including basement, at or above the FPG (two feet above the base flood elevation).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Development in special flood hazard areas and known flood-prone areas inside Kendallville city limits.
      “New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure (or manufactured home) shall have the lowest floor; including basement, at or above the FPG (two feet above the base flood elevation).”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit review inside Kendallville city limits.

    • The owner submits project information and required site or construction plans.
    • The building inspector reviews the request and contacts the owner regarding status.
    • If approved, the permit is eligible to be obtained.
    • The inspector may review an application for ten working days to allow other departments review time.

    possible review period: <= 10 working days (the page states the inspector may review for this period)

    “The building inspector will review the request for a permit application and contact the property owner regarding the status of a permit application. If approved, a permit will be eligible to be obtained.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Rules another office applies inside Kendallville

Kendallville does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family homes in the A Agricultural District if a Kendallville parcel is classified A.

    • The adopted code says the A district is intended for areas outside city limits but within the planning jurisdiction.
    • Board of Health approval is required for private disposal.

    minimum net living space: >= 1200 square feet (Single family)

    “A, Agricultural District Development Standards Min. lot area [...]..1 acre w/ public sewer Board of Health approval for private disposal Min. net living space [...]..1,200 SF for single family”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots in the A Agricultural District if a Kendallville parcel is classified A.

    • The adopted code says the A district is intended for areas outside city limits but within the planning jurisdiction.
    • Private disposal requires Board of Health approval.

    minimum lot area: >= 1 acre (With public sewer)

    “A, Agricultural District Development Standards Min. lot area [...]..1 acre w/ public sewer Board of Health approval for private disposal Min. net living space [...]..1,200 SF for single family”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Private onsite sewage systems proposed inside Kendallville city limits, where the city zoning code requires Board of Health approval for private disposal.

    • The R-1 and A district standards require Board of Health approval for private disposal.
    • The Noble County Health Department's program describes requirements for septic systems in Noble County.
    “A permit and installation by a licensed installer are required for any new installation or repair of a septic system in Noble County.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Any new installation or repair of a private septic system inside Kendallville city limits.

    • Installation must be by a licensed installer.
    • Applications must be made in the office.
    • For an onsite sewage system, plans are reviewed and approval precedes permit issuance.
    • The R-1 and A zoning standards additionally state that private disposal needs Board of Health approval.

    septic permit fee: 100 USD (Per year)

    “A permit and installation by a licensed installer are required for any new installation or repair of a septic system in Noble County.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private onsite sewage systems inside Kendallville city limits before their use.

    • The requirement applies before the onsite system is utilized.
    • It applies to installation, repair, replacement, or alteration.
    “While many contractors undertake these actions, it is ultimately the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that an onsite permit is obtained before an onsite system is installed, repaired, replaced and/or altered and to see that the onsite system is inspected and given final approval from the Health Department before it is utilized.”
  • Well permitNot required

    Private wells inside Kendallville city limits, to the extent governed by Noble County's onsite-sewage program.

    • The well must be 50 feet from any portion of the septic system as stated on the permit.

    well-to-septic separation: 50 feet (From any portion of the septic system, as stated on the permit)

    “Currently Noble County does not have a Well Ordinance, however, the well is required to be 50 feet from any portion of the septic system as stated on the permit.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    R-1 structures set back more than 200 feet from the right-of-way inside Kendallville city limits.

    • Driveways crossing open ditches or streams must be designed and approved for a gross vehicle weight of at least 45,000 pounds for emergency vehicles.

    minimum drivable driveway width: >= 20 feet (For structures having a setback greater than 200 feet)

    “Structures having a setback greater than two-hundred (200) feet shall have a minimum driveable width of twenty (20) feet in which a driveway shall be installed.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Kendallville or Noble County directly.

  • Building permit — Residential construction inside Kendallville city limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building-permit or inspection requirements inside Kendallville city limits.
  • Inspections — Building construction inside Kendallville city limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Kendallville city limits.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term occupancy of a recreational vehicle on private land inside Kendallville city limits.
5 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals
  • 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 Kendallville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Noble County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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