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Code Enforcement

440 Third Street • Room 302 • Columbus, IN 47201
Phone 812-379-1535 • Fax 812-379-1765

About Us

Building Safety is no accident!
Building Codes are for the
Health
Safety
Welfare
of You
Your Family
and the community where you live....

About Us

The Department of Technical Code Enforcement Bartholomew County/Columbus is responsible for assuring that all construction meets minimum health and life standards, building codes and zoning requirements, and property maintenance standards as specified or referenced in the Ordinances of Bartholomew County and the City of Columbus, Indiana.

Our Department issues permits (for a variety of activities including garage sales, swimming pools and new construction); reviews building plans; assigns addresses; answers requests for information on zoning, code requirements, flood plain coverage and number and type of permits issued. Code Enforcement is also responsible for fire inspections of businesses, schools and other public buildings located out of the city limits. We also investigate nuisance complaints and zoning violations and gain compliance to the standards that make Bartholomew County safe, clean and enjoyable.

About Permits

The "Building Code of Bartholomew County, Indiana", and the "Building Code of the City of Columbus, Indiana", both state:

"A permit shall be obtained before beginning construction, alteration or repair of any building or structure, the cost of which exceeds Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), using the forms furnished by... "the Department of Technical Code Enforcement".

If you are thinking of making additions, improvements or alterations to your home or property, a permit is required for most improvements, including but not limited to:

New Residential and Commercial Buildings
Modular Homes and Mobile Homes
Sheds and Storage Buildings
Attached or Detached Garages
Swimming Pools (in ground and above ground)
Room Additions and Sun Rooms
Decks, Porches and Carports
Electrical Service upgrades
Kitchen and Bath remodels
Roofing, Siding and Window replacement
Storage Tanks, Demolition and House Moving
Permanent or Temporary Signs

In addition to permits, this department also handles the licensing of Electricians and issuing of Garage Sale Permits for all areas in the City Jurisdiction.

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You May Need

The following items may be required by The Department of Technical Code Enforcement prior to the issuance of the permit:

One set of construction plans, including floor plan, wall detail, engineered truss detail, and material list.
Site plan showing location of structure and/or improvements, other structures, property lines and dimension, easements and setbacks.
Health Department release for septic systems, if applicable.
Driveway permit from state or county highway department, if applicable
State Design Release for Commercial work
Zoning Compliance Certificate from Planning Department

Please contact our office for the specific items required for your project.

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Current Codes

General Administrative Rules: (675-IAC-12 GAR)

Indiana Building Code: (675-IAC-13 IBC)
Based On: 2000 International Building Code with 2003 Indiana Amendments, Effective May 21, 2003.

Indiana Residential Code: (75-IAC-14 OTFDC)
Based on: 2003 International Residential Code (5th printing) as amended by Indiana with 2005 Indiana amendments effective September 11, 2005.

Industrialized Building Systems: (675-IAC-15 ISB) Effective May 15, 2003.

Indiana Plumbing Code: (675-IAC-16 IPC)
Based on: 1997 Uniform Plumbing Code with 1999 Indiana amendments, Effective July 30, 2003.

Indiana Electrical Code: (675-IAC-17 IEC)
Based on: 2005 National Electrical Code with 2005 Indiana Amendments, Effective November 21, 2005.

Indiana Mechanical Code: (675-IAC-18 IMC)
Based on: 2000 International Mechanical Code with 2003 Indiana Amendments, 3rd Printing, Effective May 21, 2003.

Indiana Energy Conservation Code: (675-IAC-19 IECC)
Based on: 1992 Model Energy Code as amended by Indiana 2001 with chase amendments effective March 24, 2004.

Indiana Swimming Pool Code: (75-IAC-20 ISPC)
Based On: 1989 Indiana Swimming Pool Code effective October 11, 2001 with chase amendments effective December 26, 2002.

Indiana Safety Code for Elevators, Escalators, Manlifts and Hoists:
(675-IAC-21 SCEEMH)
Based On: ANSI/ASME, Effective January 2, 2003.

Indiana Fire Prevention Code: (75-IAC-22 IFC)
Based On: 2000 International Fire Code, 4th Printing, Effective May 17, 2003.

Indiana Supplementary Fire Safety Rules: (675-IAC-24 SFSR) Effective May 17, 2003.

Code Books

Effective July 1, 2002, the Department of Fire and Building Services will no longer sell code books. Code books can still be obtained through several sources:

International Code Council (ICC)
     1-800-243-5736

Architectural Center Bookstore   1-317-634-3871

The Indiana Amendments to all codes are available online at www.state.in.us/legislative/iac/title675.html.