Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, books are available at the plan commission office for $50.00. You may also view these documents online under the reports and forms section.

When building ANY new structure or whenever you add square footage to any existing structure including, but not limited to, deck, porch, patio, sun room, utility shed, portable bldg, pool, gazebo, CFO, CAFO, pole building, pavilion, lean-to, grain bin, garage, car port, or home.

See the new permit fee schedule for work requiring a permit and the fees accordingly. 
The schedule is posted under the advisory plan commission section.

Standard Permit: Includes all buildings, porches, patios, and decks. Cost is $0.07 per square foot.

• Special Exception: $50.00
• Variance: $40.00
• Special Exception with a Variance: $60.00
• Sub Division: See Fee Schedule
• Pools, Grain Bins, Silos: $1.00 x Diameter
  • All other Pools: (Length + width / by 2) x $1.00
• All Ponds 400 sqft or larger require a special exception: $50.00
• Confined Feeding Structure: $0.01 per sqft

All buildings requiring state approval also need a county permit. A detailed permit fee schedule is posted online.

All lakes, ponds, or other earthen structures 400 square feet or greater require a "Special Exception" before being constructed.

Requirements for Pond Permits

Chapter 6, Section 6.1.15 of the County Zoning Ordinance
All ponds, lakes, or earthen structures 400 sq ft or greater require a special exception application process to be completed before construction begins.

Permitted Zones

Permitted in all zones except "SC"

Special exception permit filing fee $50.00

Section 6.1.15, a: Required Setbacks from Property Lines, Public Roads

• Front 100 ft State Road 105 ft
• Side 100 ft Primary County Road 100 ft
• Rear 100 ft Secondary County Road 100 ft
• 75 ft from any public/private easement

Additional Requirements

Visit the local county NRCS office for soil types at the site location.

Plans must be approved by the Wabash County Surveyor and Wabash County Drainage Board.

Wabash County Surveyor / Drainage Board

1. Pond construction within the drainage easement of a regulated drain requires Wabash County Drainage Board approval.
2. If a pond is designed to outlet into a regulated county drain, prior approval must be obtained from the county surveyor.
3. Avoid contact with or damage to subsurface tile drains. Any damaged subsurface drain shall be repaired or relocated to comply with drainage standards.
4. Construction activities, including erosion, must not obstruct any existing drainage facility, regulated or non-regulated.

Wabash County Highway

1. A setback of One Hundred (100) feet from the centerline of any county road is required.
2. No direct outlet into any county roadside ditch will be allowed.
3. No fill may be placed within Ten (10) feet of the road right-of-way unless prior approval is granted by the Wabash County Commissioners.

A drawing of the plot with the pond, associated buildings, overflow/water discharge plan, surface water intake, drainage run-off estimates, dam schematic, and required setback distances must be provided.

Must complete a data information sheet provided by the PC office.

Adjoining properties with structures must be identified. All current tile drains must be identified.

The regulations for ponds are administered and regulated by the Wabash County Planning Commission under the guidance of USDA Handbook #590 and the Wabash County NRCS.

For questions or information please contact:

Wabash County Plan Commission
Wabash County Courthouse
One West Hill St, Suite 205
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: (260) 563-0661
Brian's Ext: 1267 Brian
Amanda's Ext: 1252
Fax: (260) 563-3451
Email: plandirector@wabashcounty.in.gov

Yes, a permit is required for all pools larger than 100 square feet.

Yes a permit is required for any structure large than 100 square feet whether portable of fixed.

Cell Tower Requirements for Wabash County

Requires a Special Exception

See the 2023 Zoning Ordinance for detailed information on the placement of cell towers.

Sign Requirements for Wabash County
See 2023 Zoning Ordinance Chapter 6, Section 6.1.12 for detailed information for signs.

Basic Outline for New Construction Building Permit

Review the deed of the property you are thinking of purchasing to see if there are any restrictions on the plot before you make the purchase.
Verify if the proposed site is under city or county jurisdiction for permitting purposes.

A minimum lot size of 65,340 sq feet or (1 1/2 acres). County Health Dept Requirement.
The minimum road frontage is 150 FT (Width of Lot)
Through driveway right of way must be 50 feet wide if the home site is not on road frontage.

Check with the Surveyor's office to verify that no county drains are involved or will be affected by the construction site. All parcels that are being built must check with the county surveyor for any drainage issues regulated by the county before completing the building permit. Concerning old lots or rebuilds contact the county surveyor with any questions about county drains.

Cheri Slee: (260) 563-0661 Ext. 258

Verify zoning for property.

Is the property located in or near a flood plain or any flowage easement?
911 address issued by the Count Plan Commission. This must be addressed before public utilities will install temporary electrical service.
Drive entrance culvert pipe sized by County Highway Dept.
(260) 563-2091 Form available at Plan Commission Office.
STATE PERMIT IS REQUIRED FOR DRIVEWAY FROM A STATE ROAD.
(260) 563-0681

Must have a Septic permit before a building permit can be issued.
County Health Dept. 260-563-0661 Ext 1251 Jennifer Scott
If the contractor is not sure contact the County Plan Commission to get setback requirements for property lines, distances from roads, and right of way.

Mike Howard: (260) 563-0661 Ext 1267

Apply for a building permit at the County Plan Commission Office
The cost is $0.07 / foot, ground floor square footage.
Must provide a copy or drawing of the plot listing all setbacks and showing any other structures on the parcel. Must also provide the floor plan for the structure being built.

The County Plan Commission Office is located on the top floor of the Wabash County Court House.
Please call or stop in any time with questions.

AG Zone

Setbacks Residence

• State roads 105 ft
• Primary County Roads 95 ft
• Secondary County Roads 65 ft
• Side lot line (residence) 10 ft *
• Rear lot line (residence) 25 ft
• The minimum aggregate depth of both side yards for residential use is 25 ft

Setbacks Accessory Buildings

• State roads 105 ft
• Primary County Roads 95 ft
• Secondary County Roads 65 ft
• Side lot line (residence) 6 ft
• Rear lot line (residence) 10 ft
• Streams 100 ft

Setbacks from CAFO's

• All Confined Feeding Operations 1320 ft

Mobile Homes

• All Mobile Homes Require A Special Exception
• Must be at least 800 square feet
• Must have a gable roof
• Each must have its own septic system unless in a mobile home park
• No structures can be attached to the mobile home

Road Right of Way

• A County Roads
  • 40 feet total which would be 20 feet from the center each way.
• State Roads
  • 80 feet total which would be 40 feet from center
    each way
    b some state roads are more some are less (i.e. State Road16 is 60 feet)
  • 4 lanes
• The only permittable fixture closer to the road is the mailbox.
• Other restrictions vary according to zoning or subdivision covenants.

Permit fees must be paid at the time of application or before any hearings before the BZA for a Special Exception or Variance application.

Permit fees can be paid by card, cash, or check. The current card fee is 4% or $1.00 minimum.

To determine the zoning for your property, use the Wabash County GIS beacon website.

1. Select your parcel on the ortho map.
2. In the layer selection column near the bottom check the zoning box.
3. At the top select legends.
4. Identify the color of your property and compare it to the matching color in the legend column to determine the zoning.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We are occasionally out of the office taking field trips out in the county. You may want to call before stopping in (260) 563-0661 Ext: 1267 or 1252