Indiana Building Permit Fees Compared: What Does a Permit Cost?

How Much Does a Building Permit Cost in Indiana?

Building permit fees in Indiana range from $15 to well over $1,000 depending on your jurisdiction and project size. There’s no statewide fee schedule — each county and city sets its own rates.

Understanding the fee structure before you apply helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Three Fee Models Used in Indiana

Indiana jurisdictions use three main approaches to calculate permit fees:

1. Flat Fee

A fixed amount regardless of project size. Most common in rural counties.

Jurisdiction	Residential Fee	Commercial Fee
Parke County / Town of Rockville	$50	$100
City of Seymour (garages)	$75	—

2. Per-Square-Foot Fee

A rate multiplied by the project’s gross square footage. Common in mid-size jurisdictions.

Jurisdiction	Rate	Minimum
Evansville / Vanderburgh County	$0.06/sq ft	$100
Wabash County	$0.07/sq ft (ground floor)	Contact office
Union County	$0.07/sq ft + $150 base	—
Ripley County	$0.10/sq ft + $115 base	—
Floyd County	$0.15/sq ft	$200
Brown County	$0.07/sq ft + $125 base	—

3. Valuation-Based Fee

A percentage or tiered fee based on the total construction value. Used by larger jurisdictions.

Jurisdiction	Method
Indianapolis / Marion County	Based on construction valuation
Fort Wayne / Allen County	Based on construction valuation
South Bend / St. Joseph County	Based on construction valuation
Bloomington / Monroe County	Based on construction valuation
Hamilton County	Based on construction valuation

Valuation-based fees are harder to predict without contacting the permit office, but they typically produce higher fees for larger projects and lower fees for smaller ones.

Tiered Fee Schedules

Some jurisdictions use a tiered approach based on square footage brackets:

Washington County

Square Footage	Fee
0-500 sq ft	$50
501-1,000 sq ft	$100
1,001-1,500 sq ft	$150
1,501-2,000 sq ft	$200
2,001-2,500 sq ft	$250
2,501-3,000 sq ft	$300
3,001-4,000 sq ft	$350
4,001-5,000 sq ft	$400
5,001-6,000 sq ft	$450
6,001+ sq ft	$500

This is one of the most transparent fee schedules in Indiana — you can calculate your exact fee before applying.

Trade Permit Fees

Beyond the main building permit, you’ll likely need separate trade permits:

Electrical Permits

Jurisdiction	Fee
Evansville / Vanderburgh County	$30 (under 400 amps)
Floyd County	$60
City of Hammond	$80 (new service)

Plumbing Permits

Jurisdiction	Fee
Evansville / Vanderburgh County	$6/fixture (min $30)
City of Hammond	$50 (first 3 fixtures)
Floyd County	Contact office

HVAC Permits

Jurisdiction	Fee
Evansville / Vanderburgh County	$30 minimum
City of Hammond	$50

Demolition Permits

Jurisdiction	Fee
Evansville / Vanderburgh County	$125 + $10/floor
Floyd County	Contact office

Lowest-Cost Jurisdictions

If you’re building in a rural area, you’ll generally pay less:

Dearborn County: $15 minimum fee — the lowest published minimum in Indiana
Parke County: $50 flat fee for residential
Washington County: $50 for structures under 500 sq ft
Wabash County: $0.07/sq ft — a 1,500 sq ft project costs about $105

What’s Included in the Fee

Most permit fees cover:

Plan review — The building department reviews your submitted plans for code compliance
Permit issuance — The physical or digital permit document
Standard inspections — Footing, framing, rough-in, and final inspections are typically included
Certificate of occupancy — Issued after passing the final inspection

Some jurisdictions charge additional fees for:

Re-inspections (if you fail an inspection and need another visit)
Expedited review
Plan revisions after initial submission
Technology/portal fees for online submissions

Penalty Fees

Starting construction without a permit carries penalties:

Evansville / Vanderburgh County: Triple the standard fee — the steepest penalty in Indiana
Most other jurisdictions: Double the standard fee
Some jurisdictions impose daily fines for ongoing violations

The penalty alone makes getting a permit upfront the smart financial choice.

Tips for Managing Permit Costs

Call for an estimate — Most building departments will give you a fee estimate over the phone if you describe your project. Do this before budgeting.
Bundle trade permits — If you need electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits, ask if there’s a combined application or package rate.
Factor in time costs — A jurisdiction with a $50 fee but a 6-week review time may cost more in project delays than one with a $200 fee and 2-week turnaround.
Check for online options — Jurisdictions with online portals often process applications faster, which can save money on project carrying costs.

Find Your Local Fee Schedule

Permit fees vary across Indiana’s 92 counties. Find the specific fee schedule and contact information for your jurisdiction on our county and city directory.