Bolthole Index

Scott County, Indiana

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Scottsburg, Indiana

Scottsburg, Indiana (Scott County) has its own zoning, and new primary structures inside city limits need an improvement location permit1. Zoning runs through the city's Advisory Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals2. Septic permits for new systems inside the city come from the Scott County Health Department, not City Hall3.

At a glance

Building permit
Improvement location permit required for new primary structures; applications go to the city14
Zoning
Yes: city zoning districts under the Unified Development Ordinance25
Septic
Scott County Health Department issues permits for new systems3
Minimum home size
950 sq ft in R-1; 1,000 sq ft in A-167
Minimum lot size
8,400 sq ft in R-1; 2 acres in A-189
Manufactured homes
Allowed on individual lots where a single-family dwelling is allowed, on a permanent foundation10
Accessory dwelling
One per parcel, with owner-occupied primary home11
Tiny homes and RVs
No tiny-home provision confirmed; RVs are not permitted as accessory dwellings11

Who to call

Building permits

City of Scottsburg Building, Planning & Zoning

Building permit applications, Advisory Plan Commission petitions and Board of Zoning Appeals petitions inside Scottsburg

Building permits

City of Scottsburg (City Hall)

Main city contact for questions about where to send permit and zoning paperwork

812-752-4343

821 S Lake Rd S, Scottsburg, Indiana 47170

Septic permits

Scott County Health Department — Environmental Health

Site evaluations, permits, consultations and inspections for onsite sewage systems, including inside Scottsburg

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 16, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Scottsburg, Indiana have zoning?

Yes. Scottsburg zones land inside city limits through its Unified Development Ordinance, administered by the Advisory Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals2. The ordinance lists these districts: A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, DHD, B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, PUD, FPO and MAO5.

Dimensions depend on the district. In R-1 (low-density residential), a home lot needs at least 8,400 sq ft8, the dwelling needs at least 950 sq ft of living area with 600 sq ft on the ground floor6, and primary structures sit at least 25 feet from the front line, 10 feet from the side and 20 feet from the rear12. In A-1 (agriculture and rural residential), a residential lot needs at least 2 acres9, a home needs at least 1,000 sq ft7, and front setbacks are 50 feet with 30 feet at the sides and rear13.

Manufactured homes built to the HUD code may be occupied on individual lots in any Scottsburg district where a single-family dwelling is allowed, on a permanent foundation and meeting the district's standards10. We found no tiny-home provision in Scottsburg's ordinance, so the district minimum living areas above are the working limit6. Ask the city's Building, Planning & Zoning staff before assuming a smaller dwelling qualifies.

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

Yes. Scottsburg requires an improvement location permit (ILP) for every primary structure inside city limits, and accessory structures follow chapter 4.B of the ordinance1. Applications go to the city's Building, Planning & Zoning Commission414.

The city publishes a building permit fee schedule, a separate schedule for plan commission and Board of Zoning Appeals petitions, and a re-inspection fee schedule on its Planning & Zoning page15. We did not read the dollar amounts, so confirm them with the city before you budget.

We could not confirm which building code the city adopts, how inspections and certificates of occupancy work, or whether an owner-builder exemption exists inside Scottsburg. Ask the city's Building, Planning & Zoning staff for each before you start. Building permits outside city limits come from Scott County, not the city; see the Scott County page.

How do septic permits work inside Scottsburg?

The Scott County Health Department issues septic permits for new systems inside Scottsburg, working under state health department guidelines316. Its Environmental Health Specialist conducts site evaluations, and permits, consultations and inspections cover new construction and repair of onsite sewage systems17.

Most city lots connect to municipal sewer instead. The ordinance lists municipal water and sewer as required in R-1, R-2, R-3, DHD and B-1, and as not required in the A-1 residential column, so septic is most relevant on A-1 land18. We did not find the distance rule that decides when a lot must hook up to city sewer, so ask the city before you plan a septic field.

Soils matter countywide: USDA rates only about 0.2% of Scott County's soils as not limited for a conventional drain field, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system19. We could not confirm rules for private wells inside the city.

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

Scottsburg's ordinance does not allow an RV as an accessory dwelling unit11. We did not find a rule for living in an RV as a primary home, and no tiny-home provision turned up, so ask Building, Planning & Zoning staff before you buy14.

An accessory dwelling unit is allowed in limited cases: one per parcel, only where a lawful single-family home already exists, with the primary home owner-occupied, and built to building code11. Size runs from 400 sq ft up to 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary footprint, whichever is less11. Approval of an ADU does not by itself permit short-term rental use20.

Building a home in Scottsburg: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the zoning district of the lot and its minimum lot size, dwelling size and setbacks5.
  2. Ask the city whether the lot has municipal sewer; if not, request a septic site evaluation from the Scott County Health Department3.
  3. Apply for an improvement location permit through the city's Building, Planning & Zoning staff14.
  4. If the project needs a variance or rezoning, file a petition with the Advisory Plan Commission or Board of Zoning Appeals2.
  5. Splitting a lot first? Subdivisions need approval unless exempt, and a minor subdivision of four or fewer lots with no new public right-of-way follows an expedited process21.

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

Septic permits and inspections inside Scottsburg stay with the Scott County Health Department3. Land outside city limits follows Scott County's rules, not the city's; the Scott County page covers them.

Before buying, confirm the district, utility availability and any floodplain overlay: the ordinance lists a Floodplain Overlay District, and we did not read its text5. We could not confirm driveway rules inside the city, so ask the city.

Countywide figures: farmland averages about $6,850 per acre22, the effective property tax rate is 0.6%23, and the median property tax bill is $931 a year24.

Watch-outs

  • The city ordinance sets different minimum lot sizes and home sizes in R-1 and A-1, so check the parcel's district before you assume a size limit89.
  • A septic permit from the Scott County Health Department is separate from the city's improvement location permit31.
  • We could not confirm Scottsburg's adopted building code, inspection process, or certificate of occupancy rules; ask the city's Building, Planning & Zoning staff14.

Sources

  1. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  2. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  3. Scott County Health Department (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  4. Planning & Zoning – City of Scottsburg (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  5. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  6. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  7. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  8. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  9. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  10. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  11. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  12. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  13. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  14. City of Scottsburg Building, Planning & Zoning (cityofscottsburg.com)
  15. Planning & Zoning – City of Scottsburg (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  16. Scott County Health Department (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  17. Scott County Health Department — Environmental Health (scottcounty.in.gov)
  18. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  19. 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
  20. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  21. Scottsburg Unified Development Ordinance (effective 10/23/2023) (Scottsburg), quoted and re-checked
  22. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 16, 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 Scottsburg

Scottsburg’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New primary and accessory structures inside Scottsburg city

    • Improvement location permit (ILP) required; accessory structures per UDO ch. 4.B
    • Building permit applications go to the city Building, Planning & Zoning Commission
    “all primary structures shall require an improvement location permit (ilp) as outlined in chapter 7.j.3: step 3: obtain improvement location permits (ilp)”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Scottsburg city limits

    • Administered through Advisory Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals
    “the purpose of the r-1 district is to provide areas suitable for low-density residential neighborhoods that are served by public utilities and infrastructure.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Scottsburg city (A-1, R-1, R-2, R-3, DHD, B-1, B-2, I-1, I-2, PUD, FPO, MAO per UDO table of contents)

    “the purpose of the a-1 district is to provide areas suitable for agricultural and very lowdensity, single-family development.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1 Low-Density Residential district, residential uses, inside Scottsburg city

    • At least 600 sq ft on ground floor
    • Minimum structure width 20 feet

    minimum living area: >= 950 sq ft

    “20 feet 950 sq ft with at least 600 sq ft on ground floor primary: 35 feet accessory: 20 feet1 n/a”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — A-1 Agriculture and Rural Residential district, residential uses, inside Scottsburg city
      “primary: 40 feet accessory: 40 feet1 20 feet 1,000 sq ft 200 feet 2 acres 50 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet 35 % not required”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 district, residential uses, inside Scottsburg city

    • Minimum road frontage 70 feet (60 feet on cul-de-sac)
    • Other uses: 10,000 sq ft and 90 feet frontage

    minimum lot area: >= 8400 sq ft

    “70 feet cul-de-sac: 60 feet 8,400 sq ft 25 feet primary: 10 feet accessory: 5 feet primary: 20 feet accessory: 5 feet 50% required n/a 90 feet 10,000 sq ft”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — A-1 district, residential uses, inside Scottsburg city
      “primary: 40 feet accessory: 40 feet1 20 feet 1,000 sq ft 200 feet 2 acres 50 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet 35 % not required”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 district, residential uses, primary structures, inside Scottsburg city

    • Accessory: side 5 ft, rear 5 ft
    • Other uses: front 30, side 15, rear 15 ft

    front setback: >= 25 feet · side setback (primary): >= 10 feet · rear setback (primary): >= 20 feet

    “70 feet cul-de-sac: 60 feet 8,400 sq ft 25 feet primary: 10 feet accessory: 5 feet primary: 20 feet accessory: 5 feet 50% required n/a 90 feet 10,000 sq ft”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — A-1 district, residential uses, inside Scottsburg city
      “primary: 40 feet accessory: 40 feet1 20 feet 1,000 sq ft 200 feet 2 acres 50 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet 35 % not required”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    A-1 district inside Scottsburg city (maximum impervious surface)

    maximum impervious surface: <= 35 percent

    “primary: 40 feet accessory: 40 feet1 20 feet 1,000 sq ft 200 feet 2 acres 50 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet 35 % not required”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    A-1 district inside Scottsburg city

    • Accessory structures cannot exceed height of primary structure
    • Agricultural structures exempt from height standards

    maximum primary structure height: <= 40 feet

    “primary: 40 feet accessory: 40 feet1 20 feet 1,000 sq ft 200 feet 2 acres 50 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet primary: 30 feet accessory: 10 feet 35 % not required”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Manufactured homes on individual lots inside Scottsburg city

    • Built to HUD code with red certification label
    • Attached and anchored to a permanent foundation
    • District standards including minimum living area and width must be met
    • Manufactured home parks have separate standards
    “manufactured homes may be permanently occupied when located in any district where a single-family dwelling is permitted provided the following requirements are met:”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units inside Scottsburg city

    • 1 ADU per parcel, only where a lawful primary single-family dwelling exists
    • Primary dwelling must be owner-occupied; same ownership
    • Must meet all building code requirements; RVs not permitted
    • Not permitted as short-term rental without separate approval

    ADU size: 400 sq ft minimum; 800 sq ft or 50% of primary footprint, whichever is less

    “400 sq ft 800 sq ft or 50% of the primary dwelling unit living area footprint (whichever is less)”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New development in Scottsburg zoning districts

    • Municipal water and sewer listed as required in R-1 (and R-2, R-3, DHD, B-1) standards tables
    • Municipal water and sewer listed 'not required' in A-1 residential column
    • Distance/availability rule not located
    “70 feet cul-de-sac: 60 feet 8,400 sq ft 25 feet primary: 10 feet accessory: 5 feet primary: 20 feet accessory: 5 feet 50% required n/a 90 feet 10,000 sq ft”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land inside Scottsburg city

    • Exempt subdivisions listed in UDO ch. 5.B
    • Minor subdivision: 4 or fewer lots, no new public right-of-way, expedited process
    “all subdivisions require subdivision approval unless exempt (see chapter 5.b: exempt subdivisions).”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals inside Scottsburg city

    • Subject to UDO short-term rental standards (occupancy 2 persons per sleeping area, parking, signs)
    • ADU approval does not itself permit STR use
    “maximum overnight occupancy shall be 2 persons per sleeping area, but not to exceed 10 people, regardless of the number of sleeping areas.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building permit, plan commission/BZA and re-inspection fees inside Scottsburg city

    • Fee amounts not read; schedules are linked documents on the city page
    “building permit and inspection review schedules building permit fee schedule advisory plan commission & board of zoning appeals fee schedule re-inspection fee schedule”
  • Permit processPublished

    Building permit and zoning petitions inside Scottsburg city

    • Applications submitted to the city Building, Planning & Zoning staff contact
    • UDO ch. 7 sets procedures
    “please submit all building permit applications, advisory plan commission petitions, and board of zoning appeals petitions to carmen boley at cboley@scottsburg.in.gov.”

Rules another office applies inside Scottsburg

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

  • Who permits septicCounty

    Septic systems inside Scottsburg city; handled by the Scott County Health Department (countywide service)

    • Under state health department guidelines
    “inspections of existing septic systems and for failures; permits issued for new septic systems”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New septic systems inside Scottsburg city (Scott County Health Department)

    • Issued by Scott County Health Department
    “inspections of existing septic systems and for failures; permits issued for new septic systems”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Scottsburg city
  • Building code adopted — Building code inside Scottsburg city
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Scottsburg city
  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy inside Scottsburg city
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Scottsburg city
5 more unanswered
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

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 Scottsburg publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Scott County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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