Building Permits in Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Last Updated: August 2026
Building permit requirements in Tippecanoe County depend on where the property is located and what type of work you’re doing.
Lafayette, West Lafayette and most other areas of Tippecanoe County use different permitting offices, so start by finding the office that handles your property.
Quick Answer
Outside Lafayette and West Lafayette:
Start with the Tippecanoe County Building Commission. It handles building construction, demolition and electrical permits for most of Tippecanoe County outside the two cities.
Lafayette:
Building permits within Lafayette city limits are issued by the City Engineer’s Office.
West Lafayette:
Building permits within West Lafayette city limits are issued by the West Lafayette Building Department.
→ Tippecanoe County Building Commission
→ West Lafayette Building Permits
Where to Apply
Tippecanoe County Building Commission
The Building Commission handles permits for most of Tippecanoe County outside Lafayette and West Lafayette.
20 N. 3rd Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
Phone: 765-423-9225
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
→ Tippecanoe County Building Commission
→ County Permit Applications & Information
City of Lafayette
The City Engineer’s Office issues building permits for construction within Lafayette city limits.
Phone: 765-807-1050 ext. 7
City of West Lafayette
The Building Department issues building permits within West Lafayette city limits.
222 N. Chauncey Ave.
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Phone: 765-775-5130
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
→ West Lafayette Building Permits
What Projects Require a Building Permit?
There isn’t one permit rule that applies everywhere in Tippecanoe County.
Requirements depend on both the project and jurisdiction.
Lafayette
Lafayette currently requires a building permit for:
- New construction of primary buildings
- New accessory buildings
- Alterations to existing buildings
- Repairs to existing buildings
- Changes to existing buildings
Requirements and documents vary by project.
→ Check Lafayette Building Permit Requirements
West Lafayette
West Lafayette currently requires a building permit for:
- New construction
- Structural changes to existing buildings
- Electrical work
The city’s current FAQ also says cosmetic-only remodeling does not require a building permit, while remodeling involving structural work does.
For reroofing, West Lafayette says a permit is not required unless structural materials are being replaced.
→ West Lafayette Building Permit FAQs
Other Tippecanoe County Areas
The Tippecanoe County Building Commission reviews and issues permits for:
- Building construction
- Demolition
- Electrical work
- Fill permits
The office handles most of Tippecanoe County outside Lafayette and West Lafayette.
If you’re unsure whether your particular project requires a permit, contact the Building Commission before beginning work.
Phone: 765-423-9225
→ Tippecanoe County Building Commission
What Do You Need to Apply?
Requirements vary depending on the project.
Tippecanoe County
The county says permit applicants should include:
- Building plans
- Site plans
Additional requirements depend on the permit and project.
The county provides applications for general building, electrical, demolition and fill permits online.
→ Tippecanoe County Permit Applications
Lafayette
Lafayette uses different submission requirements for residential and commercial projects.
West Lafayette
West Lafayette’s general building-permit requirements include:
- Permit application
- Contractor list, if applicable
- State Design Release, if applicable
- Full set of plans
- Site plan
The city also provides detailed checklists for different types of projects.
→ West Lafayette Building Permit Checklists
West Lafayette Project Checklists
West Lafayette provides separate instructions for projects including:
- New single-family homes
- New multifamily construction
- Residential additions
- Accessory buildings
- Remodels
- Swimming pools
- Commercial construction
- Commercial additions and remodels
- Electrical work
- Solar
- Generators
- Demolition
If your project is in West Lafayette, use the checklist for your specific type of work rather than relying only on general permit information.
→ West Lafayette Building Permit Checklists
How Long Does Permit Review Take?
Allow time for your application and plans to be reviewed before scheduling construction.
Tippecanoe County
The Building Commissioner is allowed up to:
10 days to review plans
→ Tippecanoe County Building Commission
Lafayette
Lafayette says permit review may take up to:
Residential projects: 7 days
Commercial projects: 10 business days
The review clock does not begin until all required documents have been submitted and administrative requirements are met.
West Lafayette
The West Lafayette Building Department has:
10 working days to review permit applications
The city recommends allowing for that review time when scheduling your project.
→ West Lafayette Building Permits
Building Inspections
A permit may also involve inspections during construction.
Tippecanoe County
For permits handled by the Tippecanoe County Building Commission, the county requires:
24-hour notice for inspections
You will need your building permit number when requesting the inspection.
→ Tippecanoe County Building Commission
→ TRH Building Inspections Guide
Lafayette and West Lafayette have their own inspection requirements depending on the permit and project.
Follow the instructions provided with your permit so required work can be inspected at the correct stage.
How Long Is a Tippecanoe County Permit Valid?
For permits issued by the Tippecanoe County Building Commission, the county currently states that a permit is:
Valid for 2 years
However, the permitted work must be started within the first year.
If construction is delayed, contact the Building Commission before assuming the permit is still valid.
→ Tippecanoe County Building Commission
Building Permit Fees
Fees vary by jurisdiction and project.
Tippecanoe County
The county publishes current permit applications, requirements and fee information online.
→ Tippecanoe County Permit Information
Lafayette
Lafayette currently calculates general building permit fees based on project square footage.
Because fees can change and additional charges may apply depending on the project, check the current city information when applying.
→ Lafayette Building Permit Fees & Information
West Lafayette
West Lafayette publishes current fees within its project-specific permit information.
→ West Lafayette Building Permit Checklists & Fees
Building Permit vs. Zoning Approval
A building permit and zoning approval are not necessarily the same thing.
A project may also need to meet requirements involving:
- Setbacks
- Property use
- Structure location
- Lot requirements
- Easements
- Other zoning restrictions
Check both building and zoning requirements before beginning construction.
→ Tippecanoe County Zoning Enforcement
Before Starting Your Project
Before construction begins:
- Determine whether the property is in Lafayette, West Lafayette or another part of Tippecanoe County.
- Contact the correct permitting office.
- Verify whether your specific project requires a permit.
- Check zoning, setback and site requirements.
- Submit the required application, plans and documents.
- Allow time for permit review.
- Find out which inspections will be required.
Don’t assume that a project is permit-free because you’ve done similar work somewhere else. Requirements can differ by jurisdiction.
Local Tip
Check before you start — especially for remodeling and repair work.
Permit requirements aren’t identical across Lafayette, West Lafayette and the rest of Tippecanoe County.
West Lafayette, for example, specifically distinguishes between cosmetic remodeling and structural remodeling.
A quick call to the correct permitting office before construction can prevent problems later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues building permits in Tippecanoe County?
The Tippecanoe County Building Commission handles most areas outside Lafayette and West Lafayette.
Phone: 765-423-9225
Lafayette and West Lafayette issue their own permits within their respective city limits.
Do I need a permit to remodel?
It depends on the work and jurisdiction.
West Lafayette specifically says structural remodeling requires a building permit while cosmetic-only remodeling does not.
For Lafayette or other areas of Tippecanoe County, check with the appropriate permitting office for your particular project.
Do I need a permit to replace my roof?
Requirements depend on jurisdiction.
West Lafayette currently says reroofing does not require a permit unless structural materials are being replaced.
For Lafayette or other Tippecanoe County locations, verify the requirement with the appropriate permitting office.
How long does permit review take?
Published review periods currently include:
- Tippecanoe County: up to 10 days
- Lafayette residential: up to 7 days
- Lafayette commercial: up to 10 business days
- West Lafayette: 10 working days
Incomplete applications can delay review.
Will my project require inspections?
Depending on the project, yes.
Tippecanoe County requires 24-hour notice when scheduling required inspections. Lafayette and West Lafayette have their own project-specific inspection requirements.
→ TRH Building Inspections Guide
Do I need zoning approval too?
Possibly.
Building-code approval and zoning compliance address different requirements. Check both before beginning construction.
What if I’m not sure whether I need a permit?
Contact the office that handles the property’s jurisdiction and briefly describe the work you’re planning.
That is safer than beginning construction based on a general online permit list.
Related Pages
Official Resources
Tippecanoe County
→ Permit Applications & Information
City of Lafayette
City of West Lafayette
Summary
Building permit requirements in Tippecanoe County depend on where the property is located and what work is being performed.
The Tippecanoe County Building Commission handles most areas outside Lafayette and West Lafayette. Lafayette’s City Engineer’s Office issues permits within Lafayette, while the West Lafayette Building Department handles permits within West Lafayette.
Before starting construction, identify the correct jurisdiction, verify whether your specific project requires a permit, check zoning requirements and determine what plans and inspections will be needed.
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