Building Permits in City of Columbus
Bartholomew County, Indiana
123 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201
Phone: 812-376-2550
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Email: planning@columbus.in.gov
Official Website
Permit Types & Fees
| Permit Type | Category | Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Permit Required for new residential construction, additions, and major renovations within the City of Columbus. Permits and inspections handled by Bartholomew County Code Enforcement. | residential | $200 base + $0.10/sqft (via Bartholomew County) | 2-4 weeks |
| Commercial Building Permit Required for commercial construction and renovations in Columbus. Coordinated development review process. | commercial | Contact office | 4-8 weeks |
| Electrical Permit Required for electrical work. Master Electrician license administered by Bartholomew County. | trade | Contact office | 1-2 weeks |
| Plumbing Permit Required for plumbing installations and modifications. | trade | Contact office | 1-2 weeks |
| HVAC/Mechanical Permit Required for HVAC system installations or replacements. | trade | Contact office | 1-2 weeks |
Required Documents
Residential Building Permit
- Completed building permit application
- Construction drawings
- Plot plan or survey
Commercial Building Permit
- Commercial permit application
- Stamped architectural/engineering plans
- Indiana State Design Release
Building Code
Indiana Building Code (2012 IBC and 2018 IRC with Indiana amendments) — Columbus Municipal Code Chapter 15.04
Inspection Process
Building inspections handled by Bartholomew County Technical Code Enforcement at 812-379-1535. 24-hour notice required.
Additional Notes
Building permits and inspections go through Bartholomew County Department of Technical Code Enforcement (Chief Michelle Cox, 812-379-1535). Planning Department handles zoning, platting, conditional use, and variances. Columbus Front Door Overlay Zoning District (adopted June 2024) applies architectural design guidelines near I-65 corridor. Columbus is internationally famous for its architecture — the Cummins Foundation Architecture Program provides funding for architect fees on qualifying community projects. Joint Columbus/Bartholomew County Zoning Ordinance updated July 2024. Planning fax 812-376-2643.
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Verified Data Last verified: March 1, 2026 · Source: City of Columbus Planning Department website