The Starke County Commissioners have adopted a new fee schedule for the Starke County Planning and Building Department.
According to a Notice of Adoption of Ordinance issued by the Starke County Plan Commission, commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 2026-20 on July 20. The ordinance repeals the Planning and Building Department’s 2016 permit fee schedule and adopts a new schedule of fees. The notice does not include the new fee amounts.
According to the notice, the ordinance establishes a dedicated, non-reverting fund for all permit fee revenue. The fund is intended to help cover the department’s administrative, processing, software, equipment, personnel and inspection costs.
The ordinance also requires permit applications to be processed in accordance with the statutory timelines established under Ordinance No. 2026-14, including provisions for refunds and waivers if those deadlines are not met.
Additionally, the notice states that work performed without a required permit will be subject to a penalty equal to three times the standard permit fee, along with other enforceable civil penalties.
The announcement states that the ordinance is scheduled to take effect January 21, 2027, following publication as required by law.
A copy of the ordinance is available for public inspection at the Starke County Planning and Building Department and the Starke County Auditor’s Office.
