Frequently Asked Questions

The office is located:

First Floor of Shelbyville City Hall
44 West Washington Street
Shelbyville Indiana, 46176

Yes, you may pull a permit and complete most work yourself. You must both own and live in your home to qualify for any homeowner exemptions that exist in state and local law, otherwise a licensed contractor will need to complete the work.

Current and future owners of the building are entitled to knowing that the work completed in the home was done correctly and inspected for their safety. A permit is a way of providing reasonable controls for the design, construction, use, occupancy, and maintenance of buildings, their facilities, and various components. When these proper precautions are taken, property values in the surrounding area are positively affected. The permit document shows that a building project is being constructed under processes for ensuring code compliance and public safety. Communities like Shelbyville that have adopted the Indiana State Building code, and therefore the need for permitting and inspections, have lower costs for renters and homeowners insurance due to the fact that a larger percentage of the structures in the community are compliant with building codes designed for public safety.

Building, Improvement Location, and Right-Of-Way permits typically take 3 to 5 days, while most other permits are issued immediately. Those permits that take longer to review are typically more complex projects that require more time to properly review the submitted documents against building and zoning codes. Find permit applications and information about contractor registrations.

No, but the City has adopted standards with which the fence must be built. These standards are outlines in the Unified Development Ordinance; access the section of the code that pertains to fences (PDF).

Fences constructed in residential zoned areas must meet the following development standards:

• Fences cannot exceed eight feet in height in rear and side yards, and three feet in height in front yards 
• Fences must be built with the "non-structural" side facing outward
• Fences do not have a required setback from property lines, but it is required that both sides of the fence must be able to be maintained
• Fences built near intersections cannot be built within the Vision Clearance Triangle (PDF)
• Corner Lots and Through Lots have a "Front Yard" on each side of the property that abuts a public road, and therefore have to maintain a three feet maximum height in these Front Yards

Find all other zoning districts, and see the exact language in the Unified Development Ordinance (PDF).

Front Yard Illustrations

Grass can be 10 inches tall before it is required to be cut. Overgrown lawns attract animals such as snakes, rodents, deer, and mosquitoes. These animals are, unfortunately, a nuisance when found in the City. Overgrown lawns are also unsightly and can negatively affect property values of the entire neighborhood.

Yes, any structure over 200 square feet needs both a building permit and an Improvement Location Permit., any structure under 200 square feet only requires a location improvement permit. Permit applications and information regarding who can submit for a permit can be found on the Permits & Contractors page.

Yes. A swimming pool requires an Improvement Location Permit as well as a Building Permit. Permitting allows the City to inspect for compliance with local and state laws. A homeowner may pull the permits to install an above-ground pool but will be required to sign a "Homeowner Above-Ground Pool Affidavit". If the homeowner is not the person physically installing the pool, whomever is doing the work needs to be registered with the City as a building contractor prior to the issuance of an Improvement Location and Building Permit.

Yes, but as a protection for your neighbors, the City has adopted general standards that a home-based business (Home Occupation) must follow. Those standards are part of the Unified Development Ordinance (PDF).

Each property in the City's Planning Jurisdiction is given a zoning district classification, and those classifications are represented on the Official Zoning Map of the City of Shelbyville. This map is also available on the Shelby County GIS Portal, as an interactive map.

1. Contact a licensed electrical contractor to pull a reconnect permit.
2. After the contractor has pulled a permit, they will perform the work to ensure the meter base is properly installed and connected according to current codes.
3. The contractor will then call a City Inspector to inspect the work and report to Duke that a meter can be placed on the building again.

Contact your electric company directly; they will be able to start a new account and schedule to get your electric service turned back on.