Building Department

The City of Goshen Building Department was established in 1973 to instill pride in all properties around the City and to promote safe and secure occupancy for all of its residents.

The Goshen Building Department follows and enforces the Indiana Building Code, the City of Goshen Municipal Code, and the State Energy Code as they pertain to construction, electric, plumbing and mechanical phases of a project.

The Building Department issues permits that are required for the construction, alteration, remodeling, rehabilitation, or additions to any building or structure or the placement of a mobile home.  This would include roof replacement, siding and windows.  Permits are also required for new or altered electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems, which include water heaters and water softeners.

The Building Department also registers and inspects rental properties to insure compliance with the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance (City Ordinance 4860).

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PERMITS

• Why do I need a Permit?
• Who can Apply for a Permit?
• How do I apply for a Permit?
• Applying for a Permit Online
• Current Permit Fees
• What is a Stop Work Order?
• Current Construction Codes

If you are unsure as to whether or not your project requires permits, please either contact the office by phone at 574-534-1811 or e-mail at building@goshencity.com.

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CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

Commercial: All new commercial construction (and some remodel / renovation ) projects will be required to follow the Site Plan Review Process (for questions regarding site review process, visit our Development Resources page at  https://goshenindiana.org/developer-resources.  Before any permits are issued, the following is required for Building Department review:

• You must upload a Permit Request through the Portal with Construction Plans stamped by the Architect https://cityportal.goshencity.com 
• Site plans are a separate review process and should not be uploaded with the construction plans
• Zoning Clearance form signed by the Planning/Zoning and Engineering Departments
• Construction Design Release (State Release) from the State of Indiana (if applicable)

Residential: All new residential construction will also need to be reviewed by the Planning/Zoning and Engineering Departments.  Before any permits can be issued, a zoning clearance form signed by both Planning/Zoning and Engineering Departments is required.  Fees for electrical, HVAC and plumbing permits for new residential construction are included in the building permit fee; however, separate permits will be issued, but at no charge. Subcontractors are responsible for applying for their own permits, not the General Contractor.  No inspections for electrical, HVAC or plumbing will be performed until the subcontractor permits have been issued.

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CONTRACTOR LICENSING

• General contractors do not have to be licensed by the City of Goshen nor is a bond required 
• Electrical and Mechanical (HVAC) contractors working within the city limits of Goshen must be licensed by the City
• Plumbing Contractors must have a current license with the State of Indiana
• Click here for an Application to be a licensed Electrical or Mechanical Contractor
• Ordinance 5120, an Ordinance Amending Ordinance 3757, as Amended by Ordinance 4702 to Allow Flexibility in Licensing and Registering of Electrical and Mechanical Contractors

Renewals:  Electrical and HVAC licenses are approved for 3 calendar years.  In November of the expiration year, a notice will be sent out to the contractor with renewal information.  A late fee will be charged for licenses that are not renewed by January 31st.

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RENTAL PROPERTIES

Per Goshen City Ordinance 4860 (Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance) Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance (Ordinance 4860) and Goshen City Ordinance 5001 passed by the Goshen Common Council on July 2, 2019, all residential properties that are used for rent and/or lease, must be registered and inspected by the Building Department. For questions about rental inspections, please contact the Property Management Inspector at 574-537-3822.

• I Need to Register a New Rental Property
• Registration Fees
• Rental Inspections
• Rental Inspection Fee

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Please note: The Building Department cannot offer legal advice.  If you need legal help because you are facing eviction, or have another dispute with your landlord, you should seek advice from an attorney. 

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CODE ENFORCEMENT

Another responsibility of the Building Department is code enforcement of all structures in the City.  Property owners are required to maintain structures in accordance with the standards established in the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance.  For example, dilapidated structures, chipping and peeling paint, roof, soffits, siding, porches, trim, foundations and other parts of the exterior.

Code enforcement for trash, high grass, junk or unlicensed vehicles, parking in yards, etc. would need to be referred to the Code Enforcement Department at the City of Goshen Police Department.  Please call the non-emergency phone number: 574-533-8661.

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APPEAL OF BUILDING DEPARTMENT ORDERS

Board of Building Appeals

Pursuant to Goshen Municipal Code 6.1.1.19, all persons have the right to appeal a decision from the Goshen Building Department.  Appeals will initially be heard by a five member panel known as the Board of Building Appeals.  Any appeal from the Building Department’s decision shall be made within 15 days of that decision. If the Goshen Board of Building Appeals does not grant the request to modify the Building Department’s decision, the applicant may appeal to the State Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission. The Commission may modify or reverse any order that is issued by the City of Goshen.   Details on this appeals process can be found on the Indiana Department of Homeland Security website: www.in.gov/dhs.

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LINKS – FORMS

• Energy Code Information
• Form 393

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PERMIT ACTIVITY

ARCHIVE:

• Annual Permit Report – 2016
• Annual Permit Report – 2017
• Annual Permit Report – 2018
• January 2019
• February 2019
• March 2019

For current permit activity, please visit http://cityportal.goshencity.com/Dashboard.aspx