Bolthole Index

Union County, Indiana

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

58Index Score / 100
#48 of 92 in Indiana

Union County, Indiana requires a building permit for a structure costing or valued at $1,000 or more within the Area Plan Commission's jurisdiction, and the Area Plan Office also handles zoning12. The county zoning ordinance covers unincorporated Union County, Liberty and West College Corner, while septic permits come from the Union County Health Department, not the Area Plan Office23. Obtain septic approval and county-road driveway approval before completing the building-permit package45.

At a glance

Building permit
Required in the Area Plan jurisdiction at $1,000 or more in cost or value1
Zoning
Covers unincorporated Union County, Liberty and West College Corner2
Septic permits
County Health Department permit, plan and soil review, plus inspection before covering67
RV living
No blanket residential permission; campground and temporary-placement rules are narrow89
Tiny homes
No tiny-home rule; R-1 dwellings need at least 20 feet of width and 900 square feet on a one-story ground floor104
Owner-builder
No exemption from permit or inspection requirements is confirmed11
Private wells
A local permit requirement is unconfirmed; ask the Health Department before drilling1213
Septic soil difficulty
Only 24.4% of soils lack severe limits for a conventional drain field14

Who to call

Building permits

Union County Area Plan Office

Building permits, building inspection and county zoning questions

765-458-5044

areaplan@unioncountyin.us

6 West South Street - Suite 1, Liberty, Indiana 47353

Septic permits

Union County Health Department

Residential onsite sewage permit review and septic installation inspections

(765) 458-5393

6 W South St, Liberty, IN 47353

Roads & driveways

Union County Highway Department

County-road driveway location and installation approval

(765) 458-5692

1587 Kitchel Road, Liberty, IN 47353

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 9, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

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

Yes. A building permit is required for a structure costing or valued at $1,000 or more within the Union County Area Plan Commission's jurisdiction1. The county also identifies permit-triggering work that includes swimming pools, decks or porches, accessory buildings, room additions, mobile-home upgrades, and electrical or plumbing upgrades15. Indiana has adopted statewide building and residential codes, while local jurisdictions may require permits, plan review and inspections1617. Starting construction without a permit incurs a $50 fine on top of the permit cost, and a permit is valid for 18 months1. The ordinary building-permit fee amount could not be confirmed, so ask the Area Plan Office18. Union County does not state an owner-builder exemption or a complete inspection schedule, so an owner doing the work should ask the Area Plan Office which inspections and contractor information apply114.

Who issues building permits, zoning approval and septic permits in Union County?

The Union County Area Plan Office is the starting point for building permits, building inspection and zoning approval, while septic permits are a separate Health Department process413. The office is at 6 West South Street, Suite 1, in Liberty; call 765-458-5044 or email areaplan@unioncountyin.us4. County application instructions call for the property deed with its legal description, septic permit, site plan, building plans and a receipt showing current taxes4. The site plan should locate utilities, the home, accessory structures, property-line distances, driveway, septic field and tank, while the building plans should show square footage and bedroom count4. Before installing a county-road driveway, consult the Union County Highway Department at (765) 458-5692 because the Highway Supervisor must approve its location and installation519. A connection to an Indiana state highway instead requires permission from INDOT through its electronic permit system20.

Does Union County, Indiana have zoning?

Yes. The unified zoning ordinance covers unincorporated Union County, the Town of Liberty and the Town of West College Corner2. District details can materially change a rural project: an Agricultural District house needs at least 1.5 acres excluding easements and rights-of-way and 200 feet of width at the building line, and every Agricultural District building has a 25-foot setback from a right-of-way or boundary2122. R-1 lot minimums vary with sewer and water availability, while an R-1 dwelling must be at least 20 feet wide, with at least 900 square feet on the ground floor for a one-story home or 720 square feet for a two-story home2310. Buildings may cover no more than 35% of an R-1 lot or 40% of an R-2 lot, and buildings in either residential district may not exceed 35 feet24252627. Union County also requires a Certificate of Occupancy before regulated land or buildings are occupied, used or changed in use28. Ask the Area Plan Office to verify the parcel's district and the exact yard measurements before designing4.

How do septic permits work in Union County?

The Union County Health Department permits residential onsite sewage systems and administers Indiana's state rule locally2930. Call (765) 458-5393 or visit 6 W South St in Liberty13. Permit review requires an application, a property site plan and a soil evaluation by a certified soil scientist6. Property inside the Brookville Lake Regional Waste District boundaries also needs a sanitary-sewer availability letter6. The Health Department inspects every septic installation before it is covered, so coordinate the inspection before backfilling7. Soil feasibility deserves early attention because only 24.4% of Union County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field14. Where a dwelling is not connected to sewer, Indiana generally requires a compliant septic tank and soil-absorption system; drywells and cesspools are not allowed as onsite sewage treatment31.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Union County?

Union County does not offer blanket permission to live in an RV on a private parcel. Trailers or mobile homes generally may not be occupied for dwelling or lodging outside an approved mobile home park, subject to the ordinance's agricultural-district and temporary-use provisions8. In a Recreational District, a campground for short-term camper or RV parking is a special use and needs at least 5 acres; it must sit at least 50 feet from a highway right-of-way, with spaces at least 50 feet wide and 2,500 square feet in area9. Permanent scattered-site manufactured homes other than single-wides are allowed in zones that permit dwelling units, while temporary manufactured-home or mobile-home placement outside parks is allowed only in specified circumstances3233. Union County does not state a tiny-home occupancy rule, and in the R-1 district a dwelling must be at least 20 feet wide with 900 square feet on a one-story ground floor, which rules out most tiny homes there10. Give the Area Plan Office the unit type, foundation, utilities and occupancy plan before buying4.

Building a home in Union County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Area Plan Office to identify the zoning district and confirm residential use, lot size, setbacks, lot coverage, height and the Certificate of Occupancy path3428.
  1. Have a certified soil scientist evaluate the site, then submit the septic application and property plan to the Health Department6.
  1. If the parcel lies inside the Brookville Lake Regional Waste District boundaries, obtain the required sewer-availability letter6.
  1. Ask the Highway Department to approve a county-road driveway location before installation, or use INDOT's system for a state-highway connection520.
  1. Assemble the deed, septic permit, site plan, building plans and current-tax receipt for the Area Plan Office4.
  1. Obtain the building and Improvement Location permits before work starts; beginning early adds a $50 fine1.
  1. Schedule the septic inspection before covering the system, confirm building inspections with Area Plan, and obtain the Certificate of Occupancy before moving in7284.

What should you check before buying land in Union County?

Start with septic feasibility: only 24.4% of Union County soils lack severe limitations for a conventional drain field, and the county requires a certified soil-scientist evaluation during permit review146. Confirm zoning, setbacks, the proposed dwelling type and Certificate of Occupancy path with the Area Plan Office35284. Check access before assuming an existing field entrance can serve a home because the Highway Supervisor must approve a county-road driveway's location and installation5. Review flood maps as well: Indiana DNR has jurisdiction over most development in a floodway, while local permits may still apply in the floodplain fringe3637. Ask the Health Department whether a private-well permit applies because statewide guidance says some local health departments require one but does not identify Union County1213. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.7%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,1443839.

Watch-outs

  • Do not start construction before obtaining the required permits: Union County adds a $50 fine to the permit cost for beginning without a building permit1.
  • Do not assume rural land allows full-time RV occupancy; Union County generally confines dwelling or lodging use of trailers and mobile homes to approved mobile home parks, subject to temporary-use provisions8.
  • Private-well permits and the county inspection schedule remain unconfirmed, and no tiny-home occupancy rule was found; ask the Area Plan Office and Health Department about the specific project12413.

Sources

  1. Union County: Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  2. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  3. Union County: Septic Inspection and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  4. Union County Area Plan Office (in.gov)
  5. Union County: Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  6. Union County: Septic Inspection and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  7. Union County: Septic Inspection and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  8. Union County Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  9. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Union County Area Planning Commission Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  11. (2026 county census)
  12. Recommended Standards For Private Water Wells (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Union County Health Department (in.gov)
  14. 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
  15. in.gov, quoted and re-checked
  16. Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. in.gov (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Union County: Ordinances, quoted and re-checked
  19. Union County Highway Department (in.gov)
  20. INDOT Driveway Permit Guide 2024 (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  22. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  24. Union County Area Planning Commission Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. Union County Area Planning Commission Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. Union County Area Planning Commission Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  27. Union County Area Planning Commission Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  28. Union County Zoning and Building Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  29. Union County: Septic Inspection and Permits, quoted and re-checked
  30. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential On-Site Sewage Systems (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  32. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  33. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  34. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  35. Union County Area Planning Commission zoning and building ordinance (2026 county census)
  36. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  37. Water: Community Assistance & Information (Indiana statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  38. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  39. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 9, 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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Union County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleUnion CountyFayette CountyWayne CountyFranklin CountyRush CountyHenry CountyDearborn County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.Wayne CountyCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Union County in Indiana

58
County map
Union County highlighted among the Indiana counties · colored by Index score

How Union County scores

Seclusion22100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency71100% ev.
Admin Boringness5490% ev.
Durability70100% ev.
Property Autonomy71100% ev.
Carry Cost71100% 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 →

$200kTypical home
0.7%Property tax
$9,913Land / acre
44.2"Annual rain
2.5% of yrsSevere drought
3.7 / yr (+3.6)Mid-century 100°F days
12.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.69" (+7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.85×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,382Home insurance / yr
0.9% / yrInsurance growth
0.63%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
85,723People within 30 min
6,789,901People within 2 hr
84,761Radius comparison (15 mi)
43.3People / sq mi
7.5%Federal land
91.1%Land at 15% slope or less
24.4%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
24,499 acWorkable land screen
22.6%Wooded land
59 tonsBiomass / forest ac
52.3°FAvg temp

Scout Union County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for Union County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Cities and towns in Union 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.

Brownsville Township · Center Township · Harmony Township · Harrison Township · Town of Liberty · Liberty Township · Union Township · Town of West College Corner

Answers from the rulebook for Union County

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

Union County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Structures in the Union County Area Plan Commission jurisdiction with a cost or estimated value of $1,000 or more.

    • The official page separately lists permit exceptions including remodeling unless load-bearing walls are moved, new windows and siding, sidewalks and driveways, and demolition.
    • Beginning construction without a permit incurs a $50 fine in addition to the permit cost.
    • The page identifies an 18-month permit limitation and a $50 one-year renewal cost.

    structure cost or estimated value threshold: >= 1000 USD · fine for beginning without permit: 50 USD (over and above the cost of the building permit)

    “A building permit must be obtained for any structure that has a cost or estimated value of $1,000.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — The county's listed building-permit-triggering work, including swimming pools, decks or porches, accessory buildings, room additions, mobile-home upgrades, and electrical or plumbing upgrades.
      “When a Building Permit is Needed (for other than the obvious):”
    • Required — Structures in Union County, including structures costing or estimated at $1,000 and listed accessory or improvement work.
      “A building permit must be obtained for any structure that has a cost or estimated value of $1,000.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction and alteration of buildings and structures in Union County.

    • The ordinance adopts listed Indiana construction, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, one- and two-family dwelling, energy, and swimming-pool rules by reference.
    • Any amendment, modification, revision, or substitution by Indiana becomes part of the ordinance upon state adoption.
    “The following rules, regulations and codes are hereby adopted by reference as the rules and regulations governing the construction and alteration of buildings and structures in the County of Union, Indiana.”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings and additions constructed in Union County.

    • The Building Inspector inspects buildings and additions for compliance with applicable Indiana laws, standards, and codes.
    • The applicant must notify the inspector when individual components are ready for inspection.
    • Inspection fees are $10 for electrical wiring and an additional $10 for plumbing; further inspections described in the ordinance are without further charge.
    • Mileage is allowed at the rate approved by the County Commissioners.

    electrical inspection fee: 10 USD · plumbing inspection fee: 10 USD (additional fee when plumbing is included)

    “The Union County Building Inspector shall be responsible for inspecting all buildings or new additions to existing buildings hereafter constructed in Union County, Indiana for the purpose of assuring that said buildings comply with all applicable Indiana laws, building standards and building codes as prescribed either through the statutes of the State of Indiana or through the Indiana Administrative Building Council.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Land, buildings, and changes of use governed by the Union County zoning ordinance.

    • A temporary certificate may be issued for no more than six months during construction or alteration, subject to safety restrictions.
    • Certificates must be applied for with the Improvement Location Permit application.
    • The certificate is issued within five days after approved erection or alteration.

    temporary certificate maximum: <= 6 months (during construction or alteration) · issuance period after approval: 5 days

    “No land shall be occupied or used and no building hereafter erected, altered or extended, shall be used or changed in use until a Certificate of Occupancy shall have been issued by the Zoning Enforcement Officer, stating that the building or proposed use thereof complies with the provisions of this ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Buildings and additions constructed after the ordinance in Union County.
      “No building or addition to a building constructed hereafter shall be used or occupied until an occupancy release has been issued for it by the Building Inspector.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    The unincorporated portion of Union County within the jurisdiction of the Union County Area Planning Commission.

    • The ordinance applies to the unincorporated portion of Union County and separately names the Town of Liberty and Town of West College Corner.
    • Buildings and land must conform to the regulations for the applicable district.
    “the UNINCORPORATED PORTION OF UNION COUNTY, THE TOWN OF LIBERTY, AND TOWN OF WEST COLLEGE CORNER are hereby divided into the following districts:”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    The county's unified zoning ordinance aggregates zoning for the unincorporated portion of Union County, the Town of Liberty, and the Town of West College Corner.

    • The source does not establish that every incorporated jurisdiction in Union County is covered by this ordinance.
    • District-specific regulations and zoning maps apply.
    “ENACTING CLAUSE, Now be it ordained by the TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF LIBERTY, THE TOWN BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF WEST COLLEGE CORNER AND THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF UNION COUNTY, INDIANA”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwellings in the R-1 one-family residential district.

    • One-story and two-story dwellings have different minimum ground-floor requirements.
    • A two-story dwelling must have at least 900 square feet of total floor area with at least a 7-foot-6-inch ceiling height.

    one-story ground floor area: >= 900 square feet · two-story ground floor area: >= 720 square feet · total floor area with 7-foot-6-inch ceiling: >= 900 square feet · minimum width: >= 20 feet

    “Minimum width shall be twenty (20) feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Conventional single-family dwellings, cabins, and related uses in the REC recreational district.
      “1. Conventional single family dwellings not less than 575 square feet on ground floor with same lot requirements as R-1. [...] 4. Cabins – minimum size 200 square feet. Appeal Board approval required on plat, building and sanitation plans.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lots and dwellings regulated by the Union County zoning ordinance.

    • A preexisting separately owned or contracted lot may be used for a dwelling despite a smaller area or width than otherwise required, but it may not be less than 40 feet wide.
    • Other lot-area requirements vary by zoning district.

    small-lot exception minimum width: >= 40 feet (applies to the stated preexisting separately owned or contracted lot exception)

    “a dwelling may be erected on any lot separately owned or under contract of sale and containing at the time of the passage of this ordinance an area or width smaller than that required for a one-family dwelling, except that such lot shall not be less than forty (40) feet in width.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 one-family residential district lots.
      “Min. Lot Area (Sq. Ft.) Min. Lot Width (Feet)”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Agricultural District lots in the Union County zoning jurisdiction.
      “Single-family dwellings, on a lot not less than one and one half (1-1/2) acres, exclusive of easements and rights-of-way, in area and 200 feet in width at the building line. (Changed from 1 acre to 1.5 acres on February 4, 2002.)”
    • District specific (with conditions) — R-1 One-Family Residential District lots.
      “Public Sewer and Water Available 6,000 60 Corner Lots 7,000 70 Sewer only Available 8,000 80 Sewer and Water Not Available (Lot size one acre with a limit of five (5) contiguous lots.)”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Buildings and uses regulated by Union County zoning districts.

    • Front, side, and rear yard requirements vary by district and use.
    • For residence-district dwellings, the front yard must equal the average adjacent front-yard depth and may not be less than 10 feet.
    • A rear yard on a lot less than 100 feet deep may be reduced, but not below 20 feet.
    • Accessory buildings not exceeding 20 feet in height may occupy no more than 30 percent of a required rear yard and must be at least 3 feet from side or rear lot lines.

    minimum residence front yard: >= 10 feet · minimum reduced rear yard: >= 20 feet · accessory building side/rear setback: >= 3 feet

    “In any residence district each dwelling hereafter erected shall have a front yard equal in depth to the average depth of the front yards of the lots immediately adjacent thereto on either side, but no front yard shall be less than ten (10) feet.”
    4 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Specified — All buildings in the A agricultural district.
      “A set back of twenty-five (25) feet from right-of-way or boundary line is required for all buildings.”
    • Specified — R-1 one-family residential district lots.
      “Each lot shall have front, side and rear yards, not less than the following depths or widths:”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Buildings in the Agricultural District.
      “A set back of twenty-five (25) feet from right-of-way or boundary line is required for all buildings.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the R-1 One-Family Residential District.
      “Twenty (20) percent of lot depth, but such yard need not exceed twenty-five (25) feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Lot coverage and yard calculations under Union County zoning regulations.

    • Unenclosed terraces and qualifying unenclosed one-story porches are excluded from lot-coverage calculations subject to the stated conditions.
    • Enclosed porches are included in determining lot coverage.
    “A paved unroofed, unenclosed terrace shall not be considered in the determination of yard sizes or lot coverage.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Buildings in the G-B general business district.

    maximum height: <= 60 feet

    “No building shall be erected to a height in excess of sixty (60) feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle or trailer occupancy and campground use in unincorporated Union County.

    • Campgrounds for short-term camper or recreational-vehicle parking require at least five acres.
    • A campground must be at least 50 feet from any highway right-of-way.
    • Individual spaces must be 50 feet wide and at least 2,500 square feet.
    • Trailers or mobile homes may not be occupied for dwelling or lodging purposes except in an approved mobile home park, subject to stated temporary-use provisions.

    minimum campground area: >= 5 acres · highway right-of-way setback: >= 50 feet · individual space width: >= 50 feet · individual space area: >= 2500 square feet

    “Trailers or Mobile Homes shall not be permitted in any district, other than agriculture, as an accessory building nor shall they be occupied for dwelling or lodging purposes except in an approved mobile home park.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Campgrounds providing short-term parking for campers or recreational vehicles in applicable Union County zoning districts.

    • Campgrounds require a minimum of 5 acres.
    • A campground must be at least 50 feet from any highway right of way.
    • Individual spaces must be 50 feet wide and at least 2,500 square feet.

    minimum campground area: >= 5 acres · highway right-of-way setback: >= 50 feet · individual space width: >= 50 feet · individual space area: >= 2500 square feet

    “Campgrounds (short-term parking for campers or recreational vehicles) shall require a minimum of 5 acres. Said campground shall be at least 50 feet from any highway right of way. Individual spaces shall be 50 feet wide and have a minimum area of 2500 square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Campgrounds, defined by the ordinance as short-term parking for campers or recreational vehicles, in REC Recreational Districts.
      “Campgrounds (short-term parking for campers or recreational vehicles) shall require a minimum of 5 acres. Said campground shall be at least 50 feet from any highway right of way. Individual spaces shall be 50 feet wide and have a minimum area of 2500 square feet.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Mobile/manufactured-home occupancy in Union County.

    • Mobile homes are permitted in mobile-home parks only, subject to the official Union County page.
    • An existing mobile home may be upgraded with a model no older than 10 years, with a building permit, if the mobile home has not been removed from the property for more than six months.

    replacement model maximum age: <= 10 years · maximum removal period before replacement: <= 6 months

    “Mobile homes are permitted in mobile home parks only. However, if you wish to upgrade an existing mobile home, you may do so if you purchase a model no older than ten (10) years. You must obtain a building permit and the mobile home you wish to replace must not have been removed from the property longer than six months prior.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Permanent placement of manufactured homes, excluding single-wide mobile homes, as scattered-site residences in zones permitting dwelling units.
      “The establishment, location and use of manufactured homes exclusive of single wide mobile homes as scattered-site residences shall be permitted in any zone permitting installation of a dwelling unit”
    • Limited — Temporary manufactured-home or mobile-home placement outside mobile home parks in the unincorporated area of Union County.
      “the placement of manufactured homes and mobile homes shall be permitted within the unincorporated area of Union County, and outside of mobile home parks, on a temporary basis in the following circumstances:”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Residential onsite sewage systems in Union County.

    • The county Environmental Division administers permitting under Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 and local ordinances.
    “Oversees the permitting process for residential onsite sewage systems in compliance with Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Residential onsite sewage permitting and environmental review in Union County.
      “Oversees the permitting process for residential onsite sewage systems”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Residential onsite sewage systems in Union County.

    • Submit a septic permit application, property site plan, certified-soil-scientist soil evaluation, and system design.
    • A Letter of Availability for Sanitary Sewer Service is required when the property is within Brookville Lake Regional Waste District boundaries.
    • Plans, design, and installation must comply with 410 IAC 6-8.3 and local ordinances.
    “Septic Permit Plan Review Process: 1. Submit Septic Permit Application 2. Submit a site plan of the property 3. Obtain a soil evaluation analysis - A Certified Soil Scientist must perform the soil evaluation”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Residential onsite sewage systems in Union County administered by the Union County Health Department Environmental Division.

    • All septic system installations are inspected prior to covering.
    • The department conducts site visits before, during, and after construction.
    • A septic permit application, property site plan, and certified soil-scientist soil evaluation are required in the listed process.
    • A Letter of Availability for Sanitary Sewer Service is required if the property is within Brookville Lake Regional Waste District boundaries.
    • Plans, system design, and installation must comply with 410 IAC 6-8.3 and local ordinances.
    “Oversees the permitting process for residential onsite sewage systems in compliance with Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Residential onsite sewage applications in Union County.

    • A Letter of Availability for Sanitary Sewer Service is required if the property is within the Brookville Lake Regional Waste District boundaries.
    • The letter must accompany the application and is obtained from the Brookville Lake Regional Waste District.
    “Required if the property is located within the Brookville Lake Regional Waste District boundaries and must accompany the application”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway location and installation associated with Union County building permits.

    • The official county page directs applicants to consult the Union County Highway Department before installing a driveway.
    • The driveway must be approved for location and installation by the Highway Supervisor before installation.
    “Make sure you consult with the Union County Highway Department (765-458-5692) before installing your driveway. It must be approved for location and installation by the Highway Supervisor before installing.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Union County building permits and inspections.

    • The official materials identify a $50 renewal cost for an 18-month building permit and $10 electrical and $10 plumbing inspection fees.
    • The ordinary building-permit fee amount was not stated in the opened materials.
    • Mileage for inspections is allowed at the rate approved by the County Commissioners.

    electrical inspection fee: 10 USD · plumbing inspection fee: 10 USD · permit renewal period: 18 months · permit renewal cost: 50 USD (for one year)

    “Every permit has an eighteen (18) month limitation. All work authorized shall be completed within eighteen (18) months from the issuance of the building permit otherwise the homeowner/contractor shall renew the permit for a period of one year at a cost of $50.00.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Union County building-permit applications.

    • Applicants need a deed with legal description, septic permit, site plan showing utilities and structures, building plans with square footage, number of bedrooms, and current-tax receipt.
    • Applicants should consult the Highway Department before installing a driveway; location and installation must be approved by the Highway Supervisor.
    • Permits have an 18-month limitation and may be renewed for one year at $50.
    “In order to obtain a building permit the items needed are: Property deed containing a legal description, Septic permit, Site plan showing utilities, home, barns and/or sheds, distance of buildings from property lines, driveway, septic field and tank”

Indiana rules that apply here

  • 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”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction of residential water-supply wells and installation of well pumps in Indiana.

    • Indiana Department of Health standards state that several local health departments require a permit before residential water-supply well construction or well-pump installation.
    • The cited statewide source does not identify which local health departments require permits; local requirements must therefore be checked for the specific property.
    • Water-well drillers must be licensed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
    “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.”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of lots or lands outside the corporate boundaries of a municipality in Indiana.

    • A correct plat must be recorded with the county recorder before selling lots.
    • The plat must show public places, public ways, and the length, width, and size of each lot.
    • A registered land surveyor must certify the correctness of the plat.
    • The subdivision plat must be submitted for approval by the board of county commissioners.
    • The county recorder may record the plat only if a certificate showing approval of the county commissioners is attached.
    • Once a subdivision-control ordinance is adopted and filed, the plan commission has exclusive control over approval of plats and replats covered by that ordinance.
    • The cited state summary distinguishes subdivisions outside municipalities; incorporated municipalities may have separate statutory or local procedures.
    “Subdivisions Outside Cities and Towns: A person who lays out a subdivision of lots or lands outside the corporate boundaries of any municipality shall record a correct plat of the subdivision in the office of the recorder of the county before selling any lots in the subdivision. The plat must show public places, public ways, and the length, width, and size of each lot.”
  • 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.”
  • 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 exemption from Union County building requirements.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy in Union County.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in Union County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Union County.

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 Union County, Indiana

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

Union County scores 58/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: workable self-sufficiency basics (44.2″/yr rainfall) and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: about 85,723 people within a 30-minute drive.

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

Union County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Union County Health Department. 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 Union County, Indiana?

Land in Union County runs about $9,913 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Union County?

Union County gets about 44.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.5% of years.

How remote is Union County?

A representative private-land location has about 85,723 people within a 30-minute drive and 6,789,901 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 Union compares in Indiana

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