Elkhart County Building Permits, Inspections and Office Information
If you are planning a new house, addition, remodel, accessory building, demolition, electrical work or another construction project in Elkhart County, the most important first step is making sure you are dealing with the correct permitting authority. Elkhart County Planning & Development handles county building permits and inspections, but incorporated cities such as Elkhart and Goshen operate their own permit systems for projects under their jurisdiction.
Elkhart County Planning & Development is located at 4230 Elkhart Road, Goshen, IN 46526. The current main phone number is 574-971-4678, and the department lists dps@elkhartcounty.com for email contact. Online permitting is now available through the County’s OpenGov portal.
Before Applying: Make Sure Elkhart County Is the Correct Office
This simple check can save a frustrating trip or a rejected application. A mailing address that says Elkhart or Goshen does not automatically tell you which building department has jurisdiction.
| Property location | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Property handled by Elkhart County Planning & Development | Use the County Planning & Development Building Division and the County OpenGov permitting portal. |
| Inside the City of Elkhart | Use the City of Elkhart Permit Center, not the county application simply because the property is in Elkhart County. |
| Inside the City of Goshen | Goshen operates its own Building Department and online permit system. Confirm jurisdiction with the city before filing with the county. |
| Unsure | Search the parcel through the County GIS resource, then call 574-971-4678 and give staff the exact property address or parcel number. |
The City of Elkhart Building Division specifically states that it conducts building inspections within city limits. Goshen also publishes its own building-permit application process. That is why checking jurisdiction before paying a fee matters.
Elkhart County Building Department Contact Information
| Department | Elkhart County Planning & Development – Building |
|---|---|
| Building Commissioner | Kevin Williams |
| Address | 4230 Elkhart Road, Goshen, IN 46526 |
| Main phone | 574-971-4678 |
| dps@elkhartcounty.com | |
| Monday | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Tuesday–Friday | 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Online permitting | Elkhart County OpenGov Portal |
The department also warns that it will not email applicants asking for wire-transfer payments. If you receive an unexpected payment message, verify it directly with the office before sending money.
When Is an Elkhart County Building Permit Required?
The County Development Ordinance states that a building generally may not be erected, reconstructed, altered, moved, converted, extended or enlarged, and a manufactured or mobile home may not be placed on property, without first obtaining the required building permit.
The County Building Code also covers work involving construction, remodeling, additions and regulated electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
Common projects that may require County approval include:
- New one- or two-family homes
- Home additions and structural remodeling
- Detached garages and accessory structures
- Commercial and industrial construction
- Manufactured or mobile homes
- Electrical service and panel work
- Mechanical and HVAC work
- Plumbing work
- Swimming pools
- Demolition
- Signs and billboards
- Projects involving a change of use or occupancy
Some limited improvements may fall within permit exemptions under the Development Ordinance, but an exemption should not be assumed from the project’s size alone. Zoning, floodplain, septic, electrical or other rules can still apply. When in doubt, give the department the exact address and a short description of the work before buying materials.
How to Apply for an Elkhart County Building Permit
- Confirm jurisdiction. Verify that Elkhart County, rather than the City of Elkhart, Goshen or another municipal authority, handles the project address.
- Check zoning and property information. Open the County GIS resource if you need the parcel information. The building application asks for the site address, subdivision/lot information and Tax ID number.
- Identify required preliminary approvals. Determine whether your project needs an Improvement Location Permit, Health Department approval, drainage/MS4 review, Surveyor review or another agency sign-off.
- Open the County permit portal. Go to countyofelkhartin.portal.opengov.com. The County’s current Planning & Development homepage identifies this as its online permitting system.
- Select the appropriate permit/application. Use the application that matches the actual project rather than choosing the closest-sounding category. Keep your property and contractor information ready.
- Prepare the supporting documents. For a building application, this commonly includes a site plan and project details. Commercial projects may require construction plans and a state Construction Design Release.
- Complete the project information. The County’s 2026 Building Permit Application asks for the construction category, type of work, property owner, applicant/contractor, subcontractors, project cost, construction details and applicable electrical, plumbing and mechanical information.
- Upload or submit the documents. Follow the OpenGov prompts. If staff instructs you to use the paper form, the County also publishes a downloadable Building Permit Application. The form specifically notes that commercial plans are sent to Plans@elkhartcounty.com.
- Pay the assessed fees. Do not estimate your final cost from a neighboring project’s permit. Supplemental charges can apply depending on project type.
- Wait until the permit is issued. Submission of an application is not permission to begin regulated construction. Starting work before the required permit can trigger additional fees and enforcement.
What Information Should You Prepare?
Having the basic information ready before you open the application makes the process much easier. The current County form asks for considerably more than a name and address.
| Information | What to prepare |
|---|---|
| Property details | Site address, city, ZIP, subdivision/lot and Tax ID number. |
| Owner details | Name, mailing address, phone and email. |
| Contractor | Business name, address, phone, email and contact person. |
| Subcontractors | Electrical, mechanical, plumbing and other applicable trades. |
| Project details | New construction, addition, remodel or demolition; project cost; clear description of work. |
| Residential work | Bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage for floors, basement, garage, porch, deck and addition as applicable. |
| Commercial work | Existing/new square footage, use, plumbing drains, mechanical units, sprinkler heads and state-release information. |
| Site plan | The current application includes a checklist confirming a site plan is attached. |
Elkhart County Building Permit Fees
Elkhart County’s Building page links to its Building Department fee schedule, and the County Code also publishes the fee provisions. Your final amount can include more than one charge, so use the table below as budgeting guidance rather than treating it as a guaranteed quote.
Standard residential building permit
| Residential structure size | Published permit fee |
|---|---|
| 121–900 sq. ft. | $200 |
| 901–1,500 sq. ft. | $225 |
| 1,501–2,500 sq. ft. | $250 |
| 2,501–3,000 sq. ft. | $275 |
| 3,001–5,000 sq. ft. | $300 |
| Over 5,000 sq. ft. | $325 + $0.02 per sq. ft. over 5,000 |
The published schedule lists a $75 residential building permit fee for a mobile home. The standard new-residential fee generally covers footing/foundation, structural, mechanical and plumbing permits and inspections for a one- or two-family residence, together with specified attached improvements. Detached garages and similar accessory structures are treated separately.
Common residential and additional fees
| Permit / service | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Residential demolition | $25 |
| Footing / structural | $50 |
| Mechanical | $40 |
| Plumbing | $40 |
| Swimming pool only | $50 |
| Water heater only | $20 |
| Residential permit extension | $100 |
| Certificate of occupancy | $35 |
| First reinspection | $35 |
| Second reinspection | $50 |
| Third and each later reinspection | $65 |
The schedule also includes supplemental GIS data-management fees for several permit categories and a $5 assessment filing fee for certain improvements over $500, subject to the published exceptions. For that reason, the assessed total in the current permit system is more useful than adding only the base building fee.
How Elkhart County Building Inspections Work
The permit holder or person performing the permitted work is responsible for notifying the Building Department when the work is ready. Do not cover wiring, piping, framing, insulation or another component that must still be inspected.
The inspection-request sheet currently linked from the County Building page says inspection requests may be made 24 hours a day by calling 574-875-3335. It also says you should have your permit number and township ready.
The inspection sheet says requests made before 9:00 a.m. Monday through Friday can usually be completed the same day, but the department reserves up to 48 hours from the request. Treat this as scheduling guidance, not a guaranteed appointment.
Typical inspection sequence
| Trade / stage | Inspections shown in County guidance |
|---|---|
| Structural | Footing → Foundation → Framing → Final |
| Plumbing | Underground → Rough-in → Final |
| Mechanical | Gas service → Rough-in → Final |
| Electrical | Temporary service → Underground → Permanent service → Rough-in → Final |
For footing inspections, the County guidance says the excavation, footing form and reinforcement should be ready before concrete is poured. Structural rough-in occurs after the relevant framing is ready and trade rough-ins have been completed. Final inspections are requested after all permitted work is finished.
The County also requires safe and unobstructed access for inspectors. If required work is covered before inspection, the covering may have to be removed so the inspector can see the work.
Commercial Projects and Indiana State Design Release
Commercial, industrial and certain multifamily/Class 1 projects have an extra step that homeowners may never encounter.
Elkhart County Code states that a building permit for a Class 1 structure cannot be issued until the required state Construction Design Release has been issued. The County’s commercial fee schedule also instructs applicants to provide the state design release unless the project qualifies for an applicable exemption.
A practical sequence is:
- Confirm whether the project is considered a Class 1 structure.
- Determine whether Indiana state building-plan review is required.
- Complete the applicable state filing and obtain the Construction Design Release when required.
- Prepare local zoning/site approvals.
- Submit the County building application and commercial construction plans.
- Respond to County review comments before beginning work.
How Long Is an Elkhart County Building Permit Valid?
The Elkhart County Development Ordinance states that an approved Building Permit expires if the work described in the permit has not begun within 12 months from the date of issuance. Further action after expiration requires a new application and approval under that provision.
If your permit is approaching a deadline after construction has already started, contact the Building Department rather than assuming the same rule applies to every permit status. Older County Building Code language and individual permit conditions may address extensions or completion requirements differently.
Certificate of Occupancy: Do Not Skip the Final Step
For projects requiring a Certificate of Occupancy, passing individual trade inspections does not by itself mean the building can automatically be occupied.
The Development Ordinance provides that a building or land subject to the requirement may not be occupied or used until the required Certificate of Occupancy is obtained. The final review considers whether the structure and required site improvements match the approved permits, whether the structure complies with applicable building requirements and whether outstanding permit requirements remain.
The County’s published fee schedule lists the Certificate of Occupancy fee at $35.
Problems That Commonly Delay a Permit or Inspection
| Problem | Practical fix |
|---|---|
| Wrong jurisdiction | Confirm whether the property is under County, City of Elkhart, Goshen or another local authority before applying. |
| Missing Tax ID / parcel information | Look up the parcel first and enter the same property information used in County records. |
| No site plan | Prepare a legible plan showing the project location and information required for zoning/site review. |
| Improvement Location Permit not approved | Complete the applicable zoning/location approval before expecting the Building Permit to be issued. |
| Health or septic approval outstanding | Finish applicable Health Department review before bringing the permit package for final processing. |
| Commercial state release missing | Determine whether a Construction Design Release is required before local permit issuance. |
| Inspection requested too early | Finish the complete inspection stage and keep required work visible and accessible. |
| Work covered before inspection | Stop before covering regulated work. The County may require covering materials to be removed. |
| Started work before permit | Contact the Building Department immediately; additional permit penalties may apply. |
Useful Official Elkhart County Resources
- Elkhart County Planning & Development — current notices, online permitting and department information.
- Building Division — applications, electrical information, inspection guidance, permit exports and fee schedule.
- OpenGov Permit Portal — official online permitting starting point.
- County GIS — property and map resources.
- Elkhart County Permits & Forms — County government starting page for permit resources.
- Indiana DHS Code Enforcement — state construction-code and Class 1 information.
Elkhart County Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Elkhart County Building Department?
Elkhart County Planning & Development is located in the Public Services Building at 4230 Elkhart Road, Goshen, IN 46526. The current general phone number is 574-971-4678.
2. Can I apply for an Elkhart County building permit online?
Yes. Elkhart County Planning & Development now advertises online permitting through its OpenGov portal at countyofelkhartin.portal.opengov.com. Start there, select the appropriate permit service and follow the current application prompts.
3. What do I need before applying for a building permit?
Prepare the site address, Tax ID or parcel information, property-owner details, contractor and subcontractor information, project description, construction details and an applicable site plan. Additional zoning, health, drainage or state approvals may be required depending on the project.
4. Does Elkhart County require zoning approval before a building permit?
The County Development Ordinance states that the applicable Improvement Location Permit must be approved before issuance of a Building Permit. Other County agency approvals may also apply to the project.
5. How much is an Elkhart County residential building permit?
The published standard residential schedule ranges from $200 for structures from 121 to 900 square feet to $325 plus $0.02 per square foot over 5,000 square feet for structures larger than 5,000 square feet. Other permits and supplemental fees can increase the total.
6. How do I request an Elkhart County building inspection?
The inspection-request document currently linked by the County says requests can be made 24 hours a day at 574-875-3335 and that callers need the permit number and township. Because the County’s current main number is 574-971-4678 and online permitting has recently changed, use the main office if you need confirmation of the current scheduling method.
7. Can I pour concrete before the footing inspection?
No. County inspection guidance says the footing excavation, forms and reinforcement must be ready for inspection before concrete is poured. Do not conceal work that requires inspection.
8. Do commercial projects need Indiana state approval?
Applicable Class 1 structures require the state Construction Design Release before the County can issue the building permit. Check Indiana Department of Homeland Security plan-review requirements early in the project.
9. Is the Elkhart County Building Department the same as the City of Elkhart Permit Center?
No. They are separate permitting authorities. The City of Elkhart has its own Permit Center for work within its jurisdiction. Confirm the project’s location before applying to the County.
10. What happens if construction starts before the permit is issued?
The County fee schedule provides for a civil penalty equal to twice the normal permit or applicable specialty fee for work started before the required permit is secured. Stop and contact the department rather than continuing unpermitted work.
Practical Bottom Line
For an Elkhart County construction project, do three things before starting work: confirm the permitting jurisdiction, complete the required zoning/location approvals, and make sure the actual building permit has been issued. Keep your permit number available throughout construction and request each inspection before the work is covered.
The County has recently added online permitting, which makes the process easier, but property-specific requirements can still involve zoning, health, drainage, engineering or Indiana state review. If something is unclear, calling 574-971-4678 with the exact property address and project description is much safer than guessing.
Information reviewed for 2026. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and is not operated by Elkhart County. Permit forms, fees, staff procedures and online systems can change. Use the official links above for the final application, payment and project-specific approval.