Bolthole Index

Ripley County, Indiana

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Town of Versailles, Indiana

We could not confirm the building-permit issuer for the Town of Versailles, Indiana; start with Town Hall for an address-specific referral.1 Versailles has zoning references in its town code, but we could not confirm the complete zoning ordinance or dimensional standards.2 In Ripley County, including town addresses needing onsite sewage treatment, the Ripley County Health Department issues septic permits.3

At a glance

Building permits
Town issuer unconfirmed; ask Town Hall for the office serving your address.1
Zoning
Town code references zoning maps and agricultural districts; complete standards unconfirmed.2
Septic permits
Ripley County Health Department handles onsite sewage-system permits.3
Sewer permit fee
Town residential or commercial building-sewer permit: $15.4
RV and tiny-home living
Private-lot occupancy unconfirmed; ask Town Hall before planning to move in.1
Water and sewer contact
Versailles Water & Sewer Department at Town Hall.5

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Town of Versailles Town Hall

Starting contact for confirmation of the building-permit issuer and zoning administration inside town limits.

812-689-6181

128 North Main Street

Also useful

Versailles Water & Sewer Department

Municipal water and sewer service questions.

812-689-6181

128 North Main Street

Septic permits

Ripley County Health Department

Residential septic permitting and county health review

812-689-5751

Ripley County Annex Building 102 W. First North St., Versailles IN 47042

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 Town of Versailles means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Town of Versailles, IN?

We could not confirm the building-permit requirement, application counter or certificate-of-occupancy process inside the Town of Versailles; ask Town Hall to identify the office responsible for your parcel before construction.1 Indiana allows local jurisdictions to adopt building-permit and plan-review requirements, so the statewide framework alone does not identify the local application process.6 Versailles also authorizes inspections of existing buildings under its unsafe-building provisions, but that authority concerns unsafe-building enforcement rather than establishing a new-home permit procedure.7 Ask Town Hall separately about an owner-builder application and the inspections needed for your proposed home.1

Does the Town of Versailles have zoning, lot-size and setback rules?

The Town of Versailles code references agricultural districts and says zoning-map amendments, zoning-atlas amendments and rezonings may remain in ordinances outside the published code.2 We could not confirm the full town district list, minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setbacks or lot-coverage schedule; request the applicable map and dimensional standards through Town Hall for the specific address.1 Do not use the county district schedule as a substitute for that address-specific answer. For land outside town limits, consult the Ripley County guide, where the Area Zoning Code requires building permits for construction covered by its requirement.8

How do septic and sewer permits work inside the Town of Versailles?

Ripley County Health Department issues onsite sewage-system permits for residential and commercial systems in Ripley County, including systems serving Versailles properties.3 A county septic construction permit is required before installing, repairing, replacing, altering or modifying onsite sewage-system components; soil evaluation and a construction plan precede site approval and permit issuance where required.9 Versailles separately lists a $15 residential or commercial building-sewer permit fee and a $15 private sewage-disposal permit and inspection fee payable when the application is filed.4 Ask the town Water & Sewer Department about service availability, and ask the Health Department how the town private-disposal provision fits with county septic approval.510

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Town of Versailles?

We could not confirm a private-lot RV occupancy rule, a temporary-camping allowance or a tiny-home occupancy rule inside the Town of Versailles; ask Town Hall about your proposed use before relying on the property for housing during construction.1 Indiana’s campground RV rule applies to regulated campgrounds and does not establish permission for residential RV living on an individually deeded lot.11 For a dwelling that is not connected, or cannot be connected, to sanitary sewer, Indiana requires a compliant residential onsite sewage system and prohibits drywells and cesspools as onsite sewage treatment.12

What are the steps before building a home in the Town of Versailles?

  1. Start at Versailles Town Hall: request confirmation of the building-permit issuer, zoning district, current dimensional standards and any approval needed before occupancy.1
  2. Ask the Versailles Water & Sewer Department whether the parcel can receive municipal service and what connection approvals are needed.5
  3. If the project needs onsite sewage treatment, obtain Ripley County Health Department review and the required septic construction permit before installing the system.9
  4. For a driveway connecting to an Indiana state highway, use the INDOT Electronic Permit System for the applicable access permission.13
  5. Ask Town Hall who administers floodplain development approval for the town address; Indiana DNR has jurisdiction over most floodway development activities, with applicable exemptions.114

Watch-outs

  • Versailles town sewer-permit fees do not establish the total county septic-permit cost; confirm the approvals and current charges with Town Hall and Ripley County Health Department.4110
  • We could not confirm a private-well permit requirement in Versailles; ask Ripley County Health Department, and use a water-well driller licensed by Indiana DNR.1015
  • Indiana’s agricultural design-release exemption does not establish an exemption from all local building, zoning or inspection requirements.16

Sources

  1. Town of Versailles Town Hall (townofversailles.com)
  2. Sec. 1-11. Certain ordinances not affected by Code (Town of Versailles), quoted and re-checked
  3. Ripley County On-site Sewage Systems Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  4. Versailles Code of Ordinances, Sec. 34-54—Connections to public sewers (Town of Versailles), quoted and re-checked
  5. Versailles Water & Sewer Department (townofversailles.com)
  6. in.gov (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Versailles Code of Ordinances, Sec. 6-56—Inspections (Town of Versailles), quoted and re-checked
  8. Chapter 80: Area Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  9. Ripley County On-site Sewage Systems Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Ripley County Health Department (ripleycounty.in.gov)
  11. Environmental Public Health: 410 IAC 6-71 Campgrounds (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Plan Review FAQs (Indiana statewide rule), 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 Town of Versailles

Town of Versailles’s own rules

  • InspectionsLimited

    Buildings, dwellings, dwelling units, accessory structures, and premises inside Versailles town limits under the unsafe-buildings provisions.

    • Inspection is authorized where probable cause exists or with owner, agent, or occupant consent.
    • An inspection warrant may be sought if access is refused.
    • A court-issued inspection warrant is used for qualifying periodic or areawide inspections.
    • The council or designee may take emergency action to protect life, health, and safety.
    “The council or its designee is hereby authorized and directed to make inspections where probable cause exists or with consent of the owner, agent or occupant to determine the condition of buildings, dwellings, dwelling units, rooming units and premises located within the town in order that they may perform their duty of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of dwellings and of the general public.”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts and zoning-map materials applicable inside Versailles town limits; the complete district list and dimensional schedule were not established.

    • The code references agricultural districts.
    • The code states that zoning-map amendments, zoning-atlas amendments, rezonings, and other zoning matters may be contained in ordinances not published in the code.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain cows, swine, chickens, horses, sheep, goats or ducks within the limits of the town in any area consisting of less than three acres, except in an agricultural district.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Versailles town limits when public sanitary sewer is unavailable under Sec. 34-52(g).

    • A written permit signed by the superintendent is required before construction.
    • A $15 permit and inspection fee is paid to the town when the application is filed.
    • The system must comply with all state recommendations.
    • No permit may issue for a subsurface soil-absorption system where the lot area is less than 20,000 square feet.
    • Additional health-officer requirements may apply.

    private sewage disposal permit and inspection fee: 15 USD (Paid to the town when the application is filed.) · minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption facilities: >= 20000 square feet (No permit shall be issued below this lot area.)

    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system, the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the superintendent. A permit and inspection fee of $15.00 shall be paid to the town at the time the application is filed.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Versailles town limits where public sanitary sewer is unavailable.

    • The permit is not effective until installation is completed to the superintendent's satisfaction.
    • The inspection is made within 24 hours after the superintendent receives notice.
    • A $15 permit and inspection fee applies at filing.
    • Additional health-officer requirements may apply.

    inspection timing: <= 24 hours (After receipt of notice by the superintendent.)

    “A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the superintendent. The inspection shall be made within 24 hours of the receipt of notice by the superintendent.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal inside Versailles town limits where the public sanitary sewer is unavailable under Sec. 34-52(g).

    • A written town permit and $15 permit and inspection fee are required before construction.
    • The private system must comply with state recommendations.
    • Subsurface soil-absorption systems require a lot of at least 20,000 square feet.
    • No septic tank or cesspool may discharge to a natural outlet.
    • When public sewer becomes available, the building sewer must be connected within 60 days and the private system must be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt.
    • Additional health-officer requirements may apply.

    minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption facilities: >= 20000 square feet (No permit shall be issued below this lot area.) · public sewer connection deadline after availability: <= 60 days (Private system must also be cleaned of sludge and filled with clean bank-run gravel or dirt.)

    “Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under the provisions of section 34-52 (g), the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this section.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Houses, buildings, and properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Versailles town limits.

    • The property must abut a street, alley, or right-of-way with a town public sanitary sewer.
    • The public sewer must be within 300 feet of the property line.
    • Connection is required at the owner's expense within 60 days after official notice.
    • Where a public sanitary sewer is not available under Sec. 34-52(g), the building sewer must connect to a private sewage disposal system compliant with Sec. 34-53.

    public sewer distance from property line: <= 300 feet (Condition for required connection after official notice.) · connection deadline after official notice: <= 60 days (Owner installs suitable toilet facilities and connects directly with the public sewer.)

    “The owner of all houses, buildings, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes situated within the town and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located a public sanitary sewer of the town is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this article within 60 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 300 feet of the property line.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Town building-sewer and private sewage disposal permits inside Versailles town limits.

    • Residential or commercial building-sewer permits cost $15.
    • Industrial building-sewer permits cost $25.
    • Private sewage disposal permits carry a $15 permit and inspection fee.
    • Fees are paid when the relevant application is filed.

    residential or commercial building sewer permit fee: 15 USD (Paid to the clerk-treasurer when the application is filed.) · industrial building sewer permit fee: 25 USD (Paid to the clerk-treasurer when the application is filed.) · private sewage disposal permit and inspection fee: 15 USD (Paid to the town when the application is filed.)

    “A permit and inspection fee of $15.00 for residential or commercial building sewer permit and $25.00 for an industrial building sewer permit shall be paid to the clerk-treasurer at the time the application is filed.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Town public-sewer connection and private sewage disposal permits inside Versailles town limits.

    • Public-sewer connection requires written clerk-treasurer authorization before work.
    • Owners or agents apply on a town special form and provide plans, specifications, or other information the inspector considers pertinent.
    • The applicant must notify the inspector when the building sewer is ready for inspection and connection.
    • Private sewage disposal requires a written superintendent-signed permit before construction; it is effective only after installation satisfies the superintendent.
    “No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, alter, or disturb any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the clerk-treasurer.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Town of Versailles or Ripley County directly.

  • Building permit — General residential building construction inside Versailles town limits.
  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Versailles town limits.
  • Certificate of occupancy — New or altered dwellings inside Versailles town limits.
  • Local zoning — Land inside Versailles town limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Residential and agricultural parcels inside Versailles town limits.
15 more unanswered
  • Minimum lot size
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Town of Versailles publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Ripley County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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