THIS DEPARTMENT DOES NOT ISSUE IMPROVEMENT LOCATION OR BUILDING PERMITS FOR THE CITY OF AUBURN (OR THEIR ETJ) OR ALTONA.

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO CALL OR EMAIL US AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU ON YOUR PROJECT ELECTRONICALLY.  260-925-1923    OR    PLANCOMMISSION@CO.DEKALB.IN.US

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2025 Contractor Registration

CLICK HERE to get started!

Click Here for Instructions

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You can now pay your permit fees online!!

After you have been told the fee to be paid, click below:

Online Payments to the Department of Development Services

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Always "Call before you dig!"  Call 811!

https://indiana811.org/

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The DeKalb County Department of Development Services offers a wide range services to the public that involve planning, zoning, land use, improvement location and building permits, site and building inspections, and GIS map data.  We strive to make the permitting process as quick and easy as possible.

The Planning Department administers the Unified Development Ordinance, including the subdivision of land, the Floodplain Ordinance, land use and development through Improvement Location Permits as well as issues new or corrected addresses within its jurisdiction. Two boards that also assist with specific facets of planning and development include:

  • Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) - consider requests for Development Standards Variances, Special Exceptions & Use Variances
  • Plan Commission - consider UDO Textual Amendments (sponsored by one or more Plan Commission member(s) or one or more County Commissioner(s), property owner requests for Zone Map or Overlay District Amendments, Subdivisions (heard by the Plat Committee) and Commercial or Industrial Development Plans

Please note that permits are required from the Development Services Department for most types of improvements to property including building and/or adding to, structures, ponds, and many remodeling jobs.Click on "Improvement Location Permit Information" to the right under "Topics of Interest" for additional information.

Proper zoning approvals are required for business operations for all properties within our jurisdiction. Please contact us before constructing new structures, adding to existing structures, operating a business, digging a pond or anything else you are doing to improve the property.  We will be happy to assist you in determining the proper requirements.

DeKalb County DOES NOT have planning & zoning jurisdiction for Ashley, Auburn, Altona, Butler, Garrett, Hamilton, St. Joe & Waterloo.  You must contact those offices for proper planning & zoning information.

Check the local newspaper for legal ads and news articles of upcoming public hearings on zoning matters that could be of interest to you.  We do put Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals and Plat Committee agendas online  approximately one week prior to the hearing.

The Building Department administers and enforces the minimum standards for building codes in the design and construction of buildings and structures.  They also issue all contractor registrations and licenses, building permits and inspections, Certificate of Occupancy, as required.

DeKalb County DOES enforce the building codes for all of unincorporated DeKalb County and incorporated cities and towns, except the City of Auburn & Altona. 

If you live within any incorporated city or town, you will need an Improvement Location Permit, as required, from the municipality first; before you can receive your Building Permit.

Please click on "Building Permit Information" to the right under "Topics of Interest" for additional information.

Some projects require permits from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security - Building Plan Review.  Click here: https://www.in.gov/dhs/fire-and-building-safety/building-plan-review/

Contractors:  You can now register online!  Look above for "2024 Building Contractor Registration" and read/print the instructions and then "Click here to get started". NOTE: You will be charged a convenience fee of 2.60% of the total amount of your transaction to use this service.

The GIS Department is part of a collaborative, multi-agency team that strives to create, maintain and use GIS data in the governing local DeKalb communities. CoCiGIS (County - City Geographic Information System) was formed through a partnership between DeKalb County and the cities of Auburn, Butler and Garrett. CoCiGIS leverages the shared resources of these government entities to provide a single repository for public information. The DeKalb County GIS Department assists all county departments and public users with a multitude of data such as residential, tax, utility, school, economic development, safety information and much more. This data is offered to the user in one location through a format that is very user friendly. You can also contact our department for additional requests specific to your needs.

Please click on "GIS" to the right under "In This Department" for additional information.

Please click on "GIS - Beacon Website (Public)" to the right under "Topics of Interest" to access the County's GIS database.