Environmental Health

All complaints must be reported to the Health Department in writing. Complaints can be submitted anonymously. Please use the following form to submit complaints. Complaint Form

Public records are available upon request. Complete the following form and return to our office by mail or fax. Paper copies are also available in the office during business hours. Public Records Request

 

  • Food Establishments

The DeKalb County Health Department Food Division is responsible for permitting and inspecting retail food establishments and temporary food establishments, reviewing plans for food establishments that are opening or remodeling within the county. They are also responsible for conducting food-borne illness investigations and responding to consumer complaints.

    • Food Permits:  Food Permits are valid January 1 to December 31 for the year they are issued. Renewal deadline is January 31 each year.

Food Permits are non-transferable between operators nor location.

Annual Food Permit Application

    • Home Based Vendors

House Enrolled Act 1149 is the current Home Based Vendor (HBV) rule. A HBV may make NON-potentially hazardous foods. They CANNOT make potentially hazardous foods. If you have a question about what is or is not a potentially hazardous food, please contact the DeKalb County Health Department.  The following documents explain what HBV are and are not allowed to do, and other requirements.

Indiana Department of Health Guidance Document

Home Based Vendors FAQ

 

  • Onsite Sewage Systems (Septic)

The Septic Division is responsible for licensing and inspecting residential on-site sewage disposal systems and plan review of new or replacement systems. Proper design, installation, and maintenance of your septic system can maximize the life of the system. All septic installers in DeKalb County must be registered with the department.

When buying land without public sewer, it is strongly recommended to request septic records for a parcel and/or hire a soil scientist to review the parcel prior to purchase. Not all parcels are suitable for septic systems due to soil characteristics, topography or available space.

 The DeKalb County Septic Permit Packet contains a list of steps required to obtain a septic permit. The application is included in the packet. Septic Permit Packet

 Tips for maintain your septic system:

    • Have the tank pumped regularly (every 3-5 years).
    • Monitor water usage to prevent overloading the system.
    • Do not drive or park heavy equipment on the absorption field.
    • Do not plant trees or shrubs on the absorption field.
    • Avoid flushing wipes, objects, or fats, oils, and grease (FOG)
    • Do not flush chemicals that could contaminate groundwater.
  • Healthy Homes
    • Preventing Lead Poisoning

Exposure to lead can lead to developmental issues in children and other health concerns. Homes that were built before lead based paint was banned for residential use in 1978 are most at risk for having lead based paint hazards. More information can be found at https://www.in.gov/health/lead/ & Lead FAQs

    •  Indoor air quality

Most molds are not hazardous to healthy people.  However, each person may have underlying health issues or sensitivities that increase negative health outcomes when exposed to mold. For example, too much exposure to molds may cause or worsen conditions such as asthma, hay fever, and allergies.  It is important to remember that these symptoms may not be caused by mold in the home, but possibly by an underlying health condition.  The DeKalb County Health Department encourages individuals experiencing respiratory or physical ailments to contact their primary care physician to discuss individual health concerns.

Currently, there are no EPA, State, or local regulations or standards for airborne mold contaminants.

    •  Housing Complaints

State law recognizes three types of nuisance.

~ Health nuisances are addressed by IC 16-20-1-25, with enforcement by the local health officer.

~ Public nuisances are addressed by IC 35-43-1-2, with enforcement by the local prosecutor.

~ Property nuisances are addressed by IC 32-30-6, with enforcement by the aggrieved party through their personal attorney.

 

IC 16-20-1-25Unlawful conditions; abatement order; enforcement

     Sec. 25. (a) A person shall not institute, permit, or maintain any conditions that may transmit, generate, or promote disease.

     (b) A health officer, upon receiving a complaint asserting the existence of unlawful conditions described in subsection (a) within the officer's jurisdiction, shall document the complaint as provided in subsection (d). Upon verifying the information contained in the complaint, the health officer shall order the abatement of those conditions. The order must:

(1) be in writing;

(2) specify the conditions that may transmit disease; and

(3) name the shortest reasonable time for abatement.

     (c) If a person refuses or neglects to obey an order issued under this section, the attorney representing the county of the health jurisdiction where the offense occurs shall, upon receiving the information from the health officer, institute proceedings in the courts for enforcement. An order may be enforced by injunction. If the action concerning public health is a criminal offense, a law enforcement authority with jurisdiction over the place where the offense occurred shall be notified.

     (d) A complaint made under subsection (b) must include adequate details to allow the health officer to verify the existence of the unlawful conditions that are the subject of the complaint. A health officer shall provide a copy of a complaint upon request to the person who is the subject of the complaint.

[Pre-1993 Recodification Citation: 16-1-4-11.]

As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.97-2012, SEC.16; P.L.292-2013, SEC.10; P.L.174-2021, SEC.15.

The law covering Dwellings Unfit for Human Habitation is IC 16-41-20

Open Burning, is enforced by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

Open Dumping, is enforced by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

Outdoor Storage, is enforced by the DeKalb County Development Services Department under the DeKalb County Unified Development Ordinance, Section 5.33 – 5.35. Items prohibited include inoperable vehicles, building materials, waste or scrap materials, pallets and similar items.

  •   Animal Bites

Please title this document “Animal Bite Report Form” and keep at the top of the animal bite webpage. State Animal Bite Report

Animal bites can cause serious injury and infection, including rabies. Rabies is deadly in humans. All animal bites and exposures to bats must be reported to the DeKalb County Health Department if the victim lives in DeKalb County.  

Although rabies infection is rare in Indiana, it has not been completely eradicated. Indiana law requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets 3 months of age and older be vaccinated against rabies. To be recognized as valid, the rabies vaccine must be administered by a licensed and accredited veterinarian or under the direct supervision of a licensed and accredited veterinarian. Under direct supervision means, the veterinarian is on the premises at the time the vaccine is administered.

Indiana animals considered to be at highest risk of transmitting rabies to humans include bats, skunks, foxes, raccoons, and coyotes. Dogs and cats can also transmit rabies that they have acquired from wildlife. The last case of rabies in a dog in Indiana was 1989, the last case of rabies in a cat was 1984. Your local health department can help you evaluate the risk of rabies following an animal bite.

By law, all animal bites are to be reported to the Local Health Department within 24 hours of the bite occurring.

Rabies Information: https://www.in.gov/rabies/information-about-rabies/

Information about bats: https://www.batcon.org/

 

  • Tattoo and Body Piercing

Tattoo and body piercing facilities in DeKalb County are licensed and inspected according to the DeKalb County Tattoo and Body Piercing Ordinance Tattoo/Piercing Facility Ordinance 2001-6

Patron’s rights must be posted in every facility in a conspicuous place.

 Eyelash extension specialists: https://www.in.gov/health/erc/rules-and-guidelines/eyelash-extensions/

410 IAC 1-8 Operation of Facilities where Eyelash Extensions are applied https://www.in.gov/health/erc/files/410-IAC-1.pdf

 The Indiana Board of Cosmetology permits all other beauty salons and tanning salons. Complaints regarding these facilities are to be submitted through the Attorney General’s office.