Bolthole Index

Perry County, Indiana

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

71Index Score / 100
#12 of 92 in Indiana

Unincorporated Perry County, Indiana requires an Improvement Location Permit for any structure that is erected, reconstructed, moved, converted or enlarged, issued by the Planning and Zoning Department12. County zoning covers unincorporated land more than two miles from Cannelton, Tell City or Troy3. Septic permits come from the Perry County Health Department for $125, and a residential structure needs sewage approval first42.

At a glance

Building permit
Improvement Location Permit required for any structure erected, moved, converted or enlarged1
Zoning
Countywide zoning ordinance, covering unincorporated land more than two miles from Cannelton, Tell City or Troy3
Permit fee
Improvement Location Permit is $50 for an improvement valued at $500 or more5
Lot size and setbacks
Set by zoning district; a single-family lot in the A-1 district needs 1 acre, with a 35-foot front yard67
Minimum home size
800 sq ft for a one-family dwelling; 480 sq ft for seasonal and recreational use; 500 sq ft for a mobile home8
Septic
County Health Department permit required for qualifying projects; fee is $12594
Owner-builder exemption
Not confirmed on the county's site; ask Planning and Zoning directly10
Permit timing
Construction must start within one year of the permit and finish within two years2
Septic before building
A sewage disposal system must be approved before a residential building permit is issued2
Sewer connection
Required when a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance11
Floodplain questions
Indiana DNR Division of Water handles floodplain questions statewide2

Who to call

Building permits

Perry County Planning and Zoning Department

Improvement Location Permits (building permits), zoning administration, GIS property mapping and floodplain referrals for unincorporated Perry County

(812) 547-7121

2219 Payne Street, Tell City, IN 47586

Septic permits

Perry County Health Department (Sanitarian)

Septic (on-site sewage) permits, soil-analysis review, installation inspections and water-supply testing for Perry County

812-547-2746

3214 Tell Street, Tell City, IN 47586

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

Yes. Perry County's Planning and Zoning Department issues an Improvement Location Permit for any structure erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted or enlarged in unincorporated Perry County1. The Improvement Location Permit application fee is $50 for an improvement valued at $500 or more; a variance or special-exception application is $200, and an application affected by the county's flood-hazard regulations carries a supplemental $350 fee5. Construction must start within one year and finish within two years2. Before Perry County issues a residential building permit, the Health Department must approve the site's sewage-disposal system2. One- and two-family residential construction is also subject to the 2020 Indiana Residential Code, which incorporates the 2018 International Residential Code12. Ask Planning and Zoning whether inspections or a certificate of occupancy apply to the project because Perry County-specific requirements could not be confirmed.

Who is the Perry County Planning and Zoning Department and how do you reach them?

The Perry County Planning and Zoning Department issues Improvement Location Permits, administers the zoning ordinance, and keeps the file of every improvement permit and application for the county2. Reach the office at the Perry County Courthouse, 2219 Payne Street in Tell City, and call (812) 547-7121 to set up an appointment2. If your question involves a floodplain rather than a straightforward building permit, the same office directs residents to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, at 877-928-37552. Ask this office early which zoning jurisdiction covers your specific parcel, since land close to a town may fall under that town's rules instead of the county's2.

Does Perry County have zoning?

Yes. The Perry County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals have jurisdiction over all unincorporated land outside two miles from the corporate limits of Cannelton, Tell City and Troy3. Inside that two-mile fringe, a town may hold zoning authority instead, and part of the area is specifically within Tell City's zoning jurisdiction, so check the county zone map with Planning and Zoning for any parcel near a town13. Perry County publishes conservation, agricultural, scenic, residential, business and industrial districts14. Lot and yard rules depend on the district: a single-family lot in the A-1 agricultural district needs 1 acre, with a 35-foot front yard, 10-foot side yard and 30-foot rear yard67. In R-1 and R-2 districts without central sewer the minimum lot is also 1 acre, while the Scenic district requires 3 acres per family and a 500-foot lot width6. Subdivision of land within the county zoning jurisdiction must follow Perry County's subdivision-control regulations15. Buildings used only for agriculture on the land where that activity occurs, and not for retail trade, are exempt from the state Class 1 design-release classification; that does not waive local zoning or permit requirements16.

How do septic permits work in Perry County?

The Perry County Health Department handles residential onsite-sewage permits9. A permit is required for a home or shed that will not connect to city sewer and when an existing onsite system is replaced or expanded; the county fee is $1254. If sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance, Indiana prohibits installing an onsite system and requires a sewer connection11. Only about 1.2% of Perry County soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make septic feasibility part of the purchase decision17. The sanitarian may take up to 45 days to review a submitted packet and, after receiving the necessary paperwork, up to 30 days to issue or deny a permit18. The installer must notify the sanitarian at least 48 hours before installation is planned18.

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

In unincorporated Perry County, the zoning code allows occupancy of motor homes, travel trailers and campers in a campground, which is two or more units and may be permitted only as a special exception in a Conservation or Agricultural District with Indiana Department of Natural Resources and State Board of Health approval19. We could not confirm a county rule for living in an RV or tiny home on an individually owned parcel. Indiana's campground rule applies to regulated campgrounds and does not establish permission for residential RV use on a private deeded lot20. Indiana's temporary-campground limits likewise do not answer whether an owner may camp on an individually deeded parcel21. Because Perry County administers zoning in its unincorporated jurisdiction, ask the Planning and Zoning Department how the parcel's district treats an RV, a tiny home and required setbacks before buying or placing a unit32. A one-family dwelling must have at least 800 square feet of gross floor area, a seasonal and recreational dwelling can be approved at 480 square feet, and a mobile home needs at least 500 square feet8. Ask the Health Department what sewage arrangement it will approve; Indiana does not allow drywells or cesspools as onsite sewage treatment, though that rule does not decide every off-grid sanitation method22.

How do you build a home in Perry County, step by step?

  1. Call the Planning and Zoning Department at (812) 547-7121 to confirm the zoning jurisdiction, district, lot size and setbacks for the parcel2.
  2. Determine whether sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance; if it is, the project must connect rather than install an onsite system11.
  3. If the project qualifies for onsite sewage, apply through the Perry County Health Department and pay the $125 permit fee94.
  4. Allow up to 45 days for packet review and, after all necessary paperwork arrives, up to 30 days for a decision18.
  5. After sewage approval, apply to Planning and Zoning for the Improvement Location Permit2.
  6. Start construction within one year and finish within two years of permit issuance2.
  7. Have the septic installer notify the sanitarian at least 48 hours before installation18.

What should you check before buying land in Perry County?

Perry County farmland has recently sold for around $5,209 an acre, and typical homes in the county are valued near $192,0722324. Only about 1.2% of Perry County's soils are rated free of severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so get the Health Department's site evaluation before closing1718. Confirm whether the parcel sits within two miles of Cannelton, Tell City or Troy, since that determines whether county or town zoning applies13. Indiana generally does not require a state-agency permit for a high-capacity well, but a significant water-withdrawal facility may need registration; this does not answer whether Perry County requires a permit for an ordinary domestic well, so ask the Health Department before drilling25. Perry County's effective property tax rate runs about 0.7%, with a median annual property tax bill near $1,0412627.

Watch-outs

  • Perry County will not issue a residential building permit until the Health Department approves your sewage disposal plan, so start the septic process first2.
  • Land within two miles of Cannelton, Tell City, or Troy may fall under that town's zoning instead of the county's, and part of that area is specifically within Tell City's zoning jurisdiction, so confirm jurisdiction before you assume county rules apply13.
  • With only about 1.2% of Perry County's soils rated free of severe septic limitations, do not assume a rural parcel will pass a conventional septic evaluation without checking first17.

Sources

  1. Planning and Zoning – Perry County, quoted and re-checked
  2. Perry County Planning and Zoning Department (perrycounty.in.gov)
  3. Planning and Zoning – Perry County, quoted and re-checked
  4. Sewage – Perry County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  5. § 153.083 Fees, quoted and re-checked
  6. Perry County Code of Ordinances §153.037 Lot and Yard Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  7. § 153.037 Lot and Yard Requirements, quoted and re-checked
  8. codelibrary.amlegal.com, quoted and re-checked
  9. Sewage – Perry County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  10. (2026 county census)
  11. Environmental Public Health: Onsite Sewage Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  12. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, quoted and re-checked
  13. § 153.005 Jurisdiction Area, quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 153: Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 153: Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  16. Plan Review FAQs (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. Perry County Health Department (Sanitarian) (perrycounty.in.gov)
  19. § 153.060 Campground, quoted and re-checked
  20. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Environmental Public Health: Onsite Sewage Systems Program, quoted and re-checked
  23. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  24. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data
  25. Water: Water Availability Use/Rights Frequently Asked Questions, quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 10, 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 3 of the 5 neighbors with published rules, Perry County has countywide zoning.

RulePerry CountyCrawford CountyDubois CountySpencer CountyHarrison CountyWarrick CountyOrange County
Building permitRequiredNot requiredLimitedRequiredRequiredRequiredLimited
County zoningYesNoNoYesYesYesNot published
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Perry County in Indiana

71
County map
Perry County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Perry County scores

Seclusion57100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency64100% ev.
Admin Boringness4190% ev.
Durability64100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost82100% 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 →

$192kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$5,209Land / acre
50.3"Annual rain
3.3% of yrsSevere drought
7.7 / yr (+7.3)Mid-century 100°F days
13.6 daysMid-century dry spell
2.08" (+9.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.8×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,403Home insurance / yr
1.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.82%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
22,483People within 30 min
2,606,391People within 2 hr
32,300Radius comparison (15 mi)
50.3People / sq mi
24.9%Federal land
55%Land at 15% slope or less
1.2%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
2,738 acWorkable land screen
70.6%Wooded land
53.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.9°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Perry 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.

Anderson Township · Cannelton · Clark Township · Leopold Township · Oil Township · Tell City · Tobin Township · Town of Troy · Troy Township · Union Township

Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

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

Perry County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Structures and residential building projects in unincorporated Perry County within the Perry County Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals jurisdiction, which the county describes as land outside the two-mile corporate limits of Cannelton, Tell City, and Troy.

    • An Improvement Location Permit is required before occupying or using vacant land or a structure constructed, reconstructed, moved, or enlarged, changing the use of land or a structure, or changing a nonconforming use.
    • Residential approval requires Perry County Health Inspector sewage-disposal approval.
    • Construction must start within one year and be completed within two years.
    • The county building-permit checklist requires submission of the application, health or sewer documentation, site information, and building plans before approval.
    “The Perry County Planning and Zoning Department issues an Improvement Location Permit for a structure that is erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, converted, or enlarged.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning under Chapter 153 for unincorporated Perry County land, subject to authorized municipal jurisdiction within portions of the two-mile fringe and the specifically excluded Tell City area.

    • The chapter applies to unincorporated land within the county.
    • A city or town may be authorized by county ordinance to establish jurisdiction over all or part of unincorporated land within two miles of its corporate limits.
    • The exact authorized jurisdiction must be shown on the county zone map on file with the County Plan Commission.
    • The ordinance specifically excludes an area included in Tell City's zoning jurisdiction.
    “This chapter shall apply to all unincorporated land within the county”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Present — County zoning administered over unincorporated Perry County land outside the two-mile corporate limits of Cannelton, Tell City, and Troy.
      “The jurisdiction of the Perry County Plan Commission and Zoning Appeals is all unincorporated land within Perry County and is outside two miles from the corporate limits of a city or town (Cannelton, Tell City and Troy).”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Perry County: county zoning applies to unincorporated land, while incorporated or authorized two-mile-fringe areas may be governed by municipal zoning; the county ordinance also specifically excludes an area within Tell City's zoning jurisdiction.

    • This is an aggregate conclusion and does not mean Perry County administers every municipal ordinance.
    • The exact two-mile-fringe jurisdiction must be checked on the county zoning map.
    • Tell City has a specifically identified excluded area under § 153.005(B).
    “included in the jurisdictional area of the Tell City’s zoning regulations”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and district regulations in the Perry County zoning jurisdiction.

    • The code index identifies zone maps, zoning districts, district boundaries, conservation, agricultural, scenic, residential, business, industrial, and scenic-corridor overlay districts.
    • The actual district maps and dimensional standards were not opened or verified.
    “153.025 Zone maps 153.026 Zoning districts 153.027 District boundaries 153.028 Conservation District 153.029 Agricultural District 153.030 Scenic District 153.031 Residential Districts 153.032 Business Districts 153.033 Industrial District”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    One-family dwelling units in the unincorporated area governed by Perry County Chapter 153, subject to any city or town jurisdiction authorized within the two-mile fringe area.

    • The ordinary minimum is 800 square feet of minimum gross public floor area.
    • A seasonal and recreational dwelling may be permitted at 480 square feet, including roof-covered porches or decks, if the Zoning Administrator is satisfied that the dwelling will be used only for seasonal and recreational purposes.
    • A mobile home must have at least 500 square feet of minimum gross public floor area.
    • The zoning chapter applies to unincorporated land, except areas for which a city or town has been authorized to exercise jurisdiction within two miles of its corporate limits.

    minimum gross public floor area: >= 800 square feet (General one-family dwelling-unit rule.) · minimum gross public floor area: >= 480 square feet (Seasonal and recreational use only, subject to Zoning Administrator permit.) · minimum gross public floor area: >= 500 square feet (Mobile home.)

    “DWELLING UNIT. Any structure or part of a structure designed or used as the living quarters for one family having a minimum gross public floor area of 800 square feet. The Zoning Administrator may issue a permit for a structure used as living quarters for one family having a minimum gross public floor area of 480 square feet including porches or decks covered by a roof, if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator that the dwelling will be used only for seasonal and recreational purposes. A mobile home shall have a minimum gross public floor area of 500 square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Minimum lot areas and widths under Perry County zoning districts.

    • Minimum lot area depends on zoning district, use, and whether central sewerage serves the property.
    • Single-family lots in A-1 and C-1 generally require one acre; R-1 requires one acre without central sewerage or 7,500 square feet with central sewerage; R-2 requires one acre without central sewerage or 7,000 square feet with central sewerage.
    • Scenic district requires three acres per family and a 500-foot minimum lot width in the table.
    • Existing lots of record may qualify under the prior ordinance's requirements.

    A-1 single-family minimum lot area: 1 acre · A-1 single-family minimum lot width: 150 ft · C-1 single-family minimum lot area: 1 acre · R-1 unsewered minimum lot area: 1 acre (all uses not served by central sewerage systems) · R-1 sewered minimum lot area: 7500 sq ft (all uses served by central sewerage systems) · R-2 unsewered minimum lot area: 1 acre (all uses except multiple-family dwellings not served by central sewerage systems) · R-2 sewered minimum lot area: 7000 sq ft (all uses except multiple-family dwellings served by central sewerage systems) · Scenic minimum lot area per family: 3 acres · Scenic minimum lot width: 500 ft

    “The minimum lot area, minimum width of lot, minimum depth of front yard, minimum width of each side yard and minimum depth of rear yard for each district shall be as shown on the following table:”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal and accessory structures in districts governed by Perry County Chapter 153.

    • Minimum front, side, and rear yard dimensions vary by zoning district and use.
    • A-1 single-family dwellings: 35-foot front yard, 10-foot side yard, 30-foot rear yard.
    • A-1 other uses: 50-foot front yard, 30-foot side yard, 30-foot rear yard.
    • R-1 uses without central sewer: 35-foot front, 10-foot side, 30-foot rear; with central sewer: 35-foot front, 10-foot side, 30-foot rear.
    • R-2 uses without central sewer: 35-foot front, 10-foot side, 30-foot rear; with central sewer: 20-foot front, 10-foot side, 30-foot rear.
    • Scenic district: 100-foot front, 30-foot side, 100-foot rear.
    • Lots abutting more than one street must provide required front yards along every street.
    • Principal structures may not project into minimum yards; accessory structures may be within five feet of side and rear property lines.
    • Existing lots of record may have reduced area and width subject to the predecessor ordinance.
    • In qualifying R-1 or R-2 blocks, existing residential structures establish the minimum front-yard depth.
    “minimum depth of front yard, minimum width of each side yard”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupancy of motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, campers, or similar devices in a campground in unincorporated Perry County.

    • The code defines a campground as an area or tract used or designed for occupancy by tents, motor homes, travel trailers, truck campers, campers, or similar devices, consisting of two or more units.
    • A campground may be permitted only as a special exception in a Conservation or Agricultural District.
    • The Board of Zoning Appeals establishes minimum area, maximum number of campsites per acre, buffer zones, sewage and trash disposal requirements, roadway provisions, and other criteria.
    • All campgrounds require prior approval from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the State Board of Health.
    “A campground may be permitted as a special exception in any Conservation or Agricultural District, if it meets the requirements of this section. The Board of Zoning Appeals shall establish minimum area, maximum number of camp sites per acre, buffer zones between camping areas and property lines, sewage and trash disposal requirements, provisions for roadways and other criteria as the Board of Zoning Appeals believes is necessary or desirable. All campgrounds must receive approval from the State Department of Natural Resources and the State Board of Health, prior to being allowed as a special exception.”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Residential onsite sewage permitting information published by the Perry County Health Department.

    • State onsite sewage rules also apply.
    • The county health page identifies the Perry County Health Department as the permitting contact.
    “Complete the proper permit paperwork and submit form with fee of $125.00.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Homes or sheds not connected to city sewer and replacement or additions to existing onsite sewage systems.

    • The county health page says a permit is needed for anyone building a home or shed that will not be on city sewer and for anyone replacing or adding to an existing system.
    • The county page states a $125 fee.

    permit fee: 125 USD

    “Anyone building a home/shed that will not be on city sewer. Anyone that needs to replace/add to their existing system.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land within the Perry County zoning jurisdiction.

    • Chapter 153 includes a subdivision-of-land provision.
    • The operative subdivision standards and exceptions were not opened, so no numeric or procedural details are asserted.
    “All subdivision of land in areas under the jurisdiction of this chapter shall be in accordance with the provisions of the subdivision control regulations then in effect for the county.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Perry County zoning and improvement-location permit processes.

    • An improvement-location permit application for an improvement valued at $500 or more has a $50 fee.
    • A variance or special-exception application has a $200 fee.
    • An application affected by county flood-hazard regulations has a supplemental $350 fee.
    • The code page identifies the provisions as adopted by Ordinance O-C-97-10 on December 22, 1997 and Ordinance O-C-06-9 on October 2, 2006.

    improvement location permit application threshold: >= 500 USD · improvement location permit fee: 50 USD (for improvements having a value of $500 or more) · variance or special exception application fee: 200 USD · county flood hazard supplemental fee: 350 USD (for applications affected by county flood hazard regulations)

    “Application for improvement location permit for any improvement having a value of $500 or more | $50”

Indiana rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Statewide Indiana construction subject to the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission's adopted building codes, including the Indiana Building Code and Indiana Residential Code.

    • The adopted codes consist of model codes amended for Indiana.
    • The 2014 Indiana Building Code under 675 IAC 13-2.6 is currently in effect and became effective December 1, 2014.
    • The 2020 Indiana Residential Code under 675 IAC 14-4.4 is currently in effect and became effective December 26, 2019.
    • Specific applicability depends on the structure and code category.

    Indiana Building Code effective date: 2014-12-01 · Indiana Residential Code effective date: 2019-12-26

    “The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission creates Indiana codes by adopting model codes and amending them to apply in Indiana.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Indiana one- and two-family residential construction, including Perry County.
      “675 IAC 14-4.4 | 2020 Indiana Residential Code | 2018 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, First Printing | Currently in Effect Effective: 12/26/2019”
    • Adopted — Indiana's state-adopted building and fire-safety codes, including compliance requirements applicable through local units of government.
      “Each unit shall require compliance with the code of building laws and fire safety laws that is adopted in the rules of the fire prevention [...]”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Construction inspections in Indiana, including Class I structures in jurisdictions without an approved building department and construction subject to a Construction Design Release.

    • In jurisdictions without an approved building department, IDHS Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance.
    • When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, IDHS Code Enforcement conducts construction-process and final inspections.
    • Agricultural buildings and one- and two-family residential structures fall under the local government entity; if no local government entity exists, the county government may provide inspections, and IDHS states that if there is no local government entity the residential issue becomes a private civil matter.
    “In jurisdictions where there is not an approved building department, Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance. When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, Code Enforcement will conduct inspections during the construction process and provide a final inspection. Agricultural buildings and residential structures (one- and two-family dwellings) fall under the jurisdiction of the local government entity.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Residential sanitation in Indiana where a dwelling is not connected, or cannot be connected, to a sanitary sewerage system.

    • The dwelling must be provided with a compliant residential on-site sewage system including a septic tank and a soil absorption system that has not failed.
    • A temporary sewage holding tank is subject to written Indiana Department of Health approval, with specified exceptions for failed systems, soil conditions after a construction permit, and certain district, utility, or municipal sewage plans.
    • A holding tank operated as a primary residential disposal method for a sewer connection plan is limited to not more than one year unless the period is extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation.
    • Drywells and cesspools are not allowed for construction or use as on-site sewage treatment in Indiana.

    holding-tank sewer-connection period: <= 1 year (may be extended upon documentation of satisfactory operation)

    “septic tank and a soil absorption system”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Drywells and cesspools used as off-grid onsite sewage treatment in Perry County.
      “There are many public health and environmental reasons why Indiana’s on-site sewage system rules do not allow for the construction or use of drywells or cesspools in this state.”
  • Well permitLimited

    High-capacity water wells in Perry County.

    • Generally no state-agency permit is required for a high-capacity well.
    • Exception: a permit may be required if the well is located within the Great Lakes Basin of Indiana.
    • Significant water withdrawal facilities must be registered with the Indiana DNR Division of Water; the source states registration is at no cost.
    • This claim does not determine requirements for ordinary domestic wells.
    “Generally, no permit is required for a high-capacity water well (unless located within the Great Lakes Basin of Indiana); however, it may be necessary to register the well as a significant water withdrawal facility (SWWF).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction of residential water-supply wells and installation of well pumps in Indiana.
      “Several local health departments now require that a permit be obtained before construction of a residential water supply well or installation of a well pump.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Residential dwellings and residential outbuildings governed by Indiana's residential on-site sewage systems rule when the existing residential on-site sewage system has failed.

    • A local health officer may require the direct sanitary-sewer connection; the rule does not make the connection automatic.
    • The sanitary sewer must be available within three hundred (300) feet of the affected property line.
    • The sanitary sewer must be available for connection at a construction cost and connection fee estimated not to exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the estimated cost of installing an on-site sewage system serving the residence or residential outbuilding.
    • The rule is administered by local boards of health through their health officer and authorized representatives.
    • The cited rule identifies filing and readoption dates, but does not state an effective date in the cited passage.

    maximum sewer distance: <= 300 feet (Available from the affected property line.) · maximum connection cost and connection fee: <= 150 percent of estimated on-site sewage system installation cost (Applies when the residential on-site sewage system has failed.)

    “(b) In the event of a residential on-site sewage system failure the local health officer may require the residence and/or the residential outbuilding to make a direct connection to a sanitary sewer, if the sanitary sewer is available within three hundred (300) feet of the affected property line and is available for connection at a construction cost and connection fee estimated not to exceed one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the cost estimated for installing an on-site sewage system to serve the residence or residential outbuilding.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Facilities proposed in Indiana where a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance.
      “If a sanitary sewer is available within a reasonable distance of the proposed facility, installation of an onsite sewage disposal system is prohibited, and a connection must be made to the sewer.”
  • 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.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway connections and construction inside the right-of-way of Indiana state highways.

    • The governmental unit having jurisdiction over the street or highway must grant permission.
    • INDOT jurisdiction is limited to the Indiana state highway system; other governmental units may use the guide as a guideline.
    • Applications must be made through the INDOT Electronic Permit System.
    “State law requires the public to obtain permission from the governmental unit having jurisdiction over a street or highway”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development activities within the fringe portion of Indiana floodplains.

    • There is no state review or state permit for fringe development.
    • When a community adopts floodplain regulations, the regulations must be approved by the Department and may not be less restrictive than 312 IAC 10.
    • Most Indiana communities participate in the NFIP, which requires certain federal regulations to be adopted and enforced for the entire floodplain.
    • Local permits may still be required.
    “There is no State review of or permit issued for development activities within the fringe portion of the floodplain.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Most development activities in Indiana floodways, including fills, excavations, bridges, utilities, and non-residential structures.
      “The DNR Division of Water has jurisdiction in Indiana's floodways for most development activities.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Indiana state construction design-release review for Class 1 structures; local permits may also be required.

    • The process applies to projects required to file with IDHS for a construction design release.
    • All work, including work exempted from state filing, may require local permits.
    • If additional documents are uploaded before the initial response, the 10-business-day period restarts.
    • A selected plan review may result in corrections before release.

    initial completeness or review determination: 10 business days (The period restarts if additional documents are uploaded before the response.) · selected-plan review response: 20 business days (Measured from delivery of the notice of plan review.) · response after corrected plans: 10 business days (Applies following receipt of corrections and continues until release.)

    “If your project is selected for a review, you will either receive a release or request for corrections to your plans within 20 business days”
  • 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.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions or owner-builder permit procedures in Perry County.
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings in unincorporated Perry County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage in unincorporated Perry County.
  • Building height — Building height in unincorporated Perry County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Perry County.
5 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Short-term rentals

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 Perry County, Indiana

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

Perry County scores 71/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: manageable long-term carry cost and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: more administrative friction around building and land use.

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

Perry County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Perry County Health Department (Environmental Health / Sanitarian). 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 Perry County, Indiana?

Land in Perry County runs about $5,209 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perry County?

Perry County gets about 50.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.3% of years.

How remote is Perry County?

A representative private-land location has about 22,483 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,606,391 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 Perry compares in Indiana

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