What do these permits involve in Allen County?

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Site Plan Review — non-residential buildings and additions (Allen County & Fort Wayne Department of Planning Services)

The Allen County Zoning Ordinance applies to all land within the planning jurisdiction of the county (3-1-5-1). Under 3-3-2-2(b), unless excluded by 3-3-2-3 or covered by a Development Plan under 3-3-1, a new non-residential building or structure, including a single building on its own lot, an accessory building, an addition to an existing building, a gas station canopy or pumps, and an outdoor eating, drinking or smoking area, must go through Site Plan Review and be approved by the Department of Planning Services. Section 3-3-2-3(a) excludes projects under 1,000 square feet that have no sanitary sewer or water facilities and no fire sprinkler system, but that exclusion does not cover gas station canopies or outdoor eating, drinking or smoking areas. As published in the Department of Planning Services Fee Schedule effective January 1, 2026, review costs $750 for outdoor eating/drinking/smoking areas, façades and parapets, scoreboards, gas station canopies, parking lots and projects under 1,000 square feet, $1,500 for all other projects and for infrastructure only, and $750 for a temporary construction trailer with water or sewer facilities. A site inside a city or town is subject to that municipality's zoning ordinance.

Commercial On-Site Sewage System Construction Permit (Allen County Department of Health)

A business site in Allen County that is not on a public sewer and installs, replaces, alters or repairs an on-site sewage system goes through the Allen County Department of Health; the department's Septic Systems page says its Environmental Services Division issues permits and conducts inspections for all new on-site sewage disposal systems and repairs to existing systems in Allen County. The department's commercial construction permit application states it is to be used "for all installations except for a 1 and 2 family residence." Under 410 IAC 6-10.1-50, a commercial on-site sewage system needs a state construction permit before the local permit. As set in Allen County Code Title 10, Article 14 (Fees), Ord. No. 02-24-23-10 of February 24, 2023, effective April 1, 2023 (10-14-3-2-1), the county construction permit costs $300 for a new or replacement system, $175 for an alteration, repair or sanitary vault privy and $100 for an existing component, with $80 for abandonment and $45 to revise a permit before construction; the department's 2026 New System permit packet lists the same $300, $175 and $100 for commercial systems. Where the application calls for it, the Allen County On-Site Wastewater Management District then issues an operation permit, priced under 10-14-3-8-1 at $150 every three years for a gravity system, $150 every two years for a mechanical system, $100 a year for pre-treatment and $150 a year for a discharging system. A site on a public sewer has no septic permit.

Commercial Building, Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing Permits and Certificate of Occupancy (Allen County Building Department)

Under Allen County Code Title 6, Article 1, 6-1-2-2(a), the Building Commissioner administers and enforces the building codes "in unincorporated Allen County and in all incorporated cities and towns that have adopted the Allen County building code"; the Building Department's page describes its purpose as administering and enforcing building, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, sanitation and sign codes. Permit fees are set by Allen County Code Title 6, Article 10, Building Department Fee Schedule, adopted by the Board of Commissioners on December 12, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026; the Commissioners' minutes of that date record the motion carried 3-0, and section 4 of the ordinance sets the January 1, 2026 effective date. Under Chapter 2 of that schedule, new commercial construction and additions cost $0.06 per square foot of gross floor area for each floor, with a $60 minimum, and so does remodelling, repair or alteration of an existing commercial building, where each tenant space needs its own permit. Commercial electrical, HVAC and sanitary plumbing permits are each $0.03 per square foot, minimum $60; commercial demolition is $60. A phased project pays $350 for each additional structural permit and $150 for each additional trade permit. A commercial certificate of occupancy costs $50 and, under 6-10-2-12-1, is issued by email after all inspections pass, fees are paid and the building complies with code. A re-inspection, including a lock-out trip, is $60 and a cancelled permit costs $20. A food establishment submits plans to the Department of Health before seeking these permits. Building Department: (260) 449-7131.

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Site Plan Review — non-residential buildings and additions (Allen County & Fort Wayne Department of Planning Services)only if it applies to you	Allen County & Fort Wayne Department of Planning Services	Outdoor eating/drinking/smoking areas, façade/parapets, scoreboards, gas station canopies, parking lots and projects under 1,000 sq ft $750; all other projects and infrastructure only $1,500; temporary construction trailer with water or sewer facilities $750.	per project	2026-10-15
Commercial On-Site Sewage System Construction Permit (Allen County Department of Health)only if it applies to you	Allen County Department of Health	Construction permit: new or replacement system $300; alteration, repair or sanitary vault privy $175; existing component $100; system abandonment permit $80; revision of an existing construction permit before construction $45. Allen County On-Site Wastewater Management District operation permits: gravity system $150 every 3 years; mechanical system $150 every 2 years; pre-treatment system $100 a year; discharging system $150 a year.	per construction project; district operation permits renewed every 1, 2 or 3 years by system type	2026-10-15
Commercial Building, Electrical, HVAC and Plumbing Permits and Certificate of Occupancy (Allen County Building Department)only if it applies to you	Allen County Building Department	New commercial construction and additions: $0.06 per sq ft of gross floor area for each floor, minimum $60. Existing commercial remodel, repair, alteration or addition: $0.06 per sq ft, minimum $60; each interior finish or tenant space needs its own permit. Commercial electrical (new or existing): $0.03 per sq ft, minimum $60. Commercial HVAC (new or existing): $0.03 per sq ft, minimum $60. Sanitary plumbing (new and existing construction): $0.03 per sq ft, minimum $60. Commercial demolition $60. Phasing premiums on each additional phase permit: structural $350; electrical, HVAC, plumbing and non-sanitary $150 each. Certificate of occupancy, commercial, $50 each. Re-inspection (including a lock-out trip) $60. Permit cancellation charge $20.	per project	2026-10-15

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