Permit Fees

Work Exempt From Permit. Exemption from permit requirements shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following:

1. Building

• One-story detached accessory structures, provided the floor area does not exceed 200 square feet
• Fences not over 6 feet high
• Retaining walls not over 4 feet in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge
• Water tanks supported directly upon grade if the capacity does not exceed 5,000 gallons and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1
• On-grade patios, sidewalks, and driveways on private property
• Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 18 inches deep or less than 15 feet in diameter
• Swings and other playground equipment
• Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches from the exterior wall and do not require additional support
• Decks not exceeding 200 square feet in area, not more than 30 inches above grade at any point, not attached to a dwelling, and not serving the exit door required by Indiana Code
• Re-roofing when:
  • Only composition shingles are being replaced or a second layer of composition shingles are being added
  • 25% or less of the decking is being replaced
  • There is no change in roof configuration or total or partial reconstruction of the roof including rafters, decking, shingles, etc. after a natural disaster
  • There is no change in type of roof covering (e.g., tile roofing replacing asphalt shingles) that would increase the dead load on the structure
  • There is no installation of heat-applied roofing material
• Replacement of siding
• Replacement of windows or doors when the existing opening is not being increased in size

2. Electrical

• Listed cord-and-plug connected temporary decorative lighting
• Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles, but not the outlets therefor
• Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same location
• Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus, or equipment operating at less than 25 volts and not capable of supplying more than 50 watts of energy
• Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles

3. Gas

• Portable heating, cooking, or clothes drying appliances
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe
• Portable fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid

4. Mechanical

• Portable heating appliances
• Portable ventilation appliances
• Portable cooling units
• Steam, hot- or chilled-water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this code
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such equipment unsafe
• Portable evaporative coolers
• Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds or less of refrigerant or actuated by motors of 1 horsepower or less
• Portable fuel-cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not interconnected to a power grid

5. Plumbing

• Repairs to stop leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, including replacement of any fixtures, concealed trap, drainpipe, or vent pipe
• Emergency clearing of stoppages and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the relocation of valves, pipes, or fixtures

6. HVAC

• Equipment repairs and replacements that do not involve an upgrade of the equipment

7. Ordinary Repairs

Permits shall not be required for ordinary repairs to structures, replacement of lamps, or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. Such repairs shall not include:

• The cutting away of any wall, partition, or portion thereof
• The removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support
• The removal or change of any required means of egress or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting egress requirements
• Addition to, alteration of, replacement of, or relocation of any water supply, sewer, drainage, drain leader, gas, soil, waste, vent or similar piping, electric wiring, or mechanical or other work affecting public health or general safety

8. Public Service Agencies

A permit shall not be required for the installation, alteration, or repair of generation, transmission, distribution, metering, or other related equipment that is under the ownership and control of public service agencies by established right.