Cumberland is a small town that straddles the line between Marion County and Hancock County. That split means the deck permit process depends entirely on which side of the county line your property sits on. If you assume it works the same as Indianapolis or Hancock County, you could end up filing with the wrong office.
This guide explains who handles your permit, where to apply, what documents you need, and what to expect during inspections — whether your Cumberland property is on the Hancock County side or the Marion County side.
Which County Is Your Property In? Start Here
This is the single most important question for any Cumberland homeowner planning a deck. The Town of Cumberland currently issues building permits only for properties on the Hancock County side. If your property is on the Marion County side, you apply through the City of Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) instead.
Not sure which side you’re on? Check the town’s official boundaries map at town.cumberland.in.us, or call Town Hall at (317) 894-6213.
| Your Property Location | Who Handles Your Deck Permit |
| Cumberland — Hancock County side | Town of Cumberland Planning Department |
| Cumberland — Marion County side | City of Indianapolis BNS (until January 1, 2027) |
Big Change Coming in 2027
Indiana House Bill 1131 was signed into law and takes effect on January 1, 2027. Once it kicks in, Cumberland will become an “excluded city” — the same status held by Lawrence, Beech Grove, Speedway, and Southport. At that point, the Town of Cumberland will handle all building permits, zoning, and code enforcement for the entire town, including the Marion County portion. Until then, the split process described in this guide still applies. Learn more on the town’s HB 1131 information page.
Contact Information: Town of Cumberland Planning Department
If your property is on the Hancock County side, this is the office you’ll work with. All permit applications are submitted through their online permit portal.
| Detail | Information |
| Office | Town of Cumberland Planning Department |
| Address | 11501 E. Washington St., Cumberland, IN 46229 |
| Town Hall Phone | (317) 894-6213 |
| Building Commissioner | Aaron Jordan — (317) 775-0156 / ajordan@cumberland.in.gov |
| Assistant Town Manager | Christine Owens — (317) 894-6202 / cowens@cumberland.in.gov |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Online Portal | Cumberland Permit Portal (iWorQ) |
| Website | town.cumberland.in.us — Permits |
When Is a Deck Permit Required?
Cumberland requires a building permit for most construction, remodeling, or improvement projects valued over $500. A new deck will almost always cross that threshold. The town follows Indiana’s state-adopted building codes enforced through the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, so the same general standards that apply across the state apply here.
If you are comparing permit triggers across different jurisdictions, our guide on how Lawrence handles deck permit requirements explains another nearby excluded city’s process and thresholds.
How to Apply for a Deck Permit (Hancock County Side)
All permit applications are submitted online through the Town of Cumberland permit portal. Here is what the process looks like step by step:
- Go to the permit portal and select “Building Permit” as your application type.
- Complete the required form with your property details, project description, and contact information.
- Upload your supporting documents at the time of submission. The town asks for: identification and legal description of the property, property dimensions, structure setback dimensions from all property lines, and construction specifications including building materials and dimensional plans.
- Wait for review. The town reviews applications for completeness within 3 business days. If approved, fees are added to your portal account within 24 business hours.
- Pay the fees through the portal to finalize the permit.
If your application is incomplete, you’ll receive a notification explaining what’s missing. Once you resubmit, the review clock resets to 5 business days.
Plan Review Timeline
For residential (Type 2) structures like decks, Cumberland offers two paths for plan review and inspections:
| Review Option | How It Works |
| Town of Cumberland review | Plan review begins once the application is complete — takes 7 business days or less |
| Private provider review | You hire a third-party reviewer; must include a copy of their liability insurance with the application |
For most homeowners building a standard residential deck, the town review is the simpler route.
Permit Fees
Cumberland’s fees vary by project type and are listed in the town’s official fee schedule, available on their permits page. For the most accurate and current pricing, download that document or call (317) 894-6213. Fees are added to your permit portal account after approval, so you will see the exact amount before you pay.
What Documents to Include for a Deck
The town’s Residential Permit Submittal Requirements document outlines exactly what to upload for various project types. For a deck, plan to include:
- Site plan — lot dimensions, setbacks from all property lines, and the deck’s location relative to the house and other structures
- Dimensional construction plans — drawn to scale showing the full layout of the deck
- Material specifications — decking material, fasteners, post types, and any composite product evaluation reports
- Footing and framing details — post sizes, beam spans, joist spacing, and footing depth
- Stair and railing details — if your deck requires stairs, include rise/run dimensions and guard heights
Upload everything through the portal at the time you submit. Incomplete submissions are the most common cause of delays.
Inspections
Most deck projects will require at least one inspection — typically a footing inspection and a final inspection. To schedule an inspection:
- Log into the permit portal.
- Search for your existing permit by the applicant’s name.
- Click “Request an Inspection” and fill out the form.
- An inspector will contact you within 24 hours of your request.
Owner-Builders: Doing the Work Yourself
If you are building your own deck without hiring a contractor, you do not need a contractor license. However, you will need a contractor code assigned to you so you can schedule inspections through the portal. To get your code, email or call the Building Commissioner, Aaron Jordan, at ajordan@cumberland.in.gov or (317) 775-0156. Include your name, email, phone number, and the permit number.
If Your Property Is on the Marion County Side
Until HB 1131 takes effect on January 1, 2027, Marion County residents within Cumberland must apply for building permits through the City of Indianapolis. That means going through the Indy BNS process, which involves a separate Improvement Location Permit and structural permit. The process, fees, and timelines are different from the Hancock County side.
If you are on the Marion County side and want to understand how other communities handle their own permit process, our walkthrough of getting deck and patio approval in Plainfield covers a comparable permitting path in a nearby community.
What Happens If You Start Without a Permit?
The Town of Cumberland is clear on this point: starting work without a permit can result in fines, project delays, and additional review steps. If you are unsure whether your project needs a permit, call the Planning Department at (317) 894-6202 before you begin.
Quick Reference: Permit Process Summary
| Step | What to Expect |
| Confirm your county | Check the town boundaries map or call Town Hall |
| Submit application online | Through the iWorQ permit portal with all supporting documents |
| Completeness review | Within 3 business days |
| Plan review (town) | 7 business days or less after completeness is confirmed |
| Pay fees | Added to your portal within 24 hours of approval |
| Call 811 before digging | At least 48 hours before excavation (Indiana law) |
| Request inspections | Through the portal — inspector responds within 24 hours |
Need a Hand With Your Cumberland Deck Project?
Platinum Deck and Patio works with homeowners across the Indianapolis metro area, including Cumberland. We handle the permit paperwork, plan submissions, and inspections so you don’t have to figure out the county line on your own. Call us at (463) 466-5870 or visit patiocontractorsindianapolis.com to start planning your new deck.