If you live in an unincorporated part of Hancock County — near Mt. Comfort, along the eastern edges of the metro, or outside the borders of Greenfield, McCordsville, New Palestine, or Cumberland — your deck permit goes through the Hancock County Planning and Building Department. This is a separate office from any city or town hall, and it has its own applications, fees, and inspections.
This guide walks you through the full process so you know exactly where to go, what to bring, and what it will cost.
Does Hancock County Handle Your Permit?
The Hancock County Planning and Building Department’s jurisdiction covers unincorporated Hancock County plus the Towns of Spring Lake and Shirley. If your property falls inside the city limits of Greenfield, McCordsville, New Palestine, or Cumberland, you work with that municipality’s building department instead.
Not sure if your address is in unincorporated territory? Check the county’s GIS mapping tool at hancockin.gov or call the Planning Department at (317) 477-1134.
| Your Location | Who Handles the Deck Permit |
| Unincorporated Hancock County (Mt. Comfort, rural areas) | Hancock County Planning & Building |
| Spring Lake or Shirley | Hancock County Planning & Building |
| City of Greenfield | City of Greenfield Building & Zoning |
| Town of McCordsville | McCordsville Building Department |
| Town of Cumberland (Hancock Co. side) | Town of Cumberland Planning Dept. |
| Town of New Palestine | New Palestine Building Department |
If your property is on the Cumberland side of Hancock County, our guide on how the Cumberland permit process works covers that town’s specific requirements.
Contact Information: Hancock County Planning and Building
| Detail | Information |
| Office | Hancock County Planning and Building Department |
| Address | 111 American Legion Place, Suite 146, Greenfield, IN 46140 |
| Building Dept. Phone | (317) 477-1133 |
| Planning Dept. Phone | (317) 477-1134 |
| Fax | (317) 477-1184 |
| Building Official | Scott Williams |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Website | hancockin.gov — Planning & Building |
You Need Two Permits for a Deck
In Hancock County, a residential deck requires two separate permits that work together:
- Improvement Location Permit (ILP) — issued by the Planning Department. This confirms your project meets zoning setbacks, lot coverage limits, and land use requirements.
- Building Permit — issued by the Building Department. This covers the structural review and inspections to make sure the deck is built to code.
Both permits are handled in the same office at 111 American Legion Place, but they have separate applications and separate fees. You cannot start construction until both are approved.
Deck Permit Fees
Hancock County updated its fee schedule effective July 1, 2024. For a residential deck, the combined cost breaks down like this:
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Improvement Location Permit (ILP) | $75 |
| Building Permit | $150 – $225 (based on inspections) |
| Re-Inspection (1st) | $75 |
| Re-Inspection (2nd) | $150 |
| Re-Inspection (3rd) | $225 |
| Missed Inspection | $350 + engineer’s letter |
| Constructing Without a Permit | Double the normal permit fee |
You can download the complete fee schedule from the county’s fee schedule page.
What Application Do You Use?
Decks are considered a residential accessory or alteration. You will need to fill out the Residential Accessory or Alteration Permit Application (PDF) from the county’s website. Along with the application, plan to submit:
- Site plan — a scaled drawing of your lot showing property lines, existing structures, setback distances, and the proposed deck location
- Construction drawings — dimensions, framing layout, beam and joist sizes, ledger attachment details, and footing specifications
- Elevation views — showing the deck height above grade on each side
- Stair and railing details — if applicable, including rise, run, guard height, and baluster spacing
- Material information — lumber species and treatment, fastener type, and any composite decking product evaluation reports
What About Zoning Setbacks?
Your ILP review will check that the deck respects the required setback distances from property lines. Setbacks vary depending on your zoning district. Hancock County’s zoning ordinance spells out the specific distances for each district. If you are in a Planned Unit Development (PUD), additional restrictions may apply.
The county’s GIS mapping tool is a good starting point. You can look up your parcel, confirm your zoning classification, and measure distances from your property lines before you draw up plans.
Inspections
Once your permits are issued and construction begins, the Hancock County Building Department will perform inspections at the stages determined during your plan review. For a typical deck project, expect at least:
- Footing inspection — after holes are dug and before concrete is poured
- Final inspection — after all framing, decking, stairs, railings, and guards are complete
To schedule an inspection, call the Building Department at (317) 477-1133.
Keep in mind: Hancock County charges $350 plus an engineer’s letter for a missed inspection. Re-inspections start at $75 and increase with each additional visit. Scheduling on time and being ready when the inspector arrives will save you money.
Key Indiana Residential Code Requirements
Hancock County enforces Indiana’s state-adopted residential building codes. Here are the standards that come up on nearly every deck project:
| Requirement | Standard |
| Footing depth | Minimum 30 inches below finished grade (Indiana frost line) |
| Guardrails | Required when deck surface is more than 30″ above grade; minimum 36″ high |
| Stair rise | Maximum 7¾ inches (Indiana Residential Code) |
| Stair tread depth | Minimum 10 inches |
| Baluster spacing | A 4-inch sphere must not pass through |
| Fasteners | Hot-dipped galvanized, stainless steel, or approved coated fasteners |
| Lumber | Pressure-treated or naturally decay-resistant wood (redwood, cedar) |
Call Before You Dig
Before excavating any footing holes, Indiana law requires you to contact 811 at least 48 hours in advance. This free service identifies buried utility lines on your property. Call 811 or visit call811.com.
If Your Property Is Inside a Municipality
The Hancock County Building Department does not handle permits for properties inside Greenfield, McCordsville, New Palestine, or Cumberland. Each of those municipalities runs its own building department.
For a broader look at how different communities across the Indianapolis area approach outdoor building approvals, our guide comparing local ordinances that affect patio construction in Hendricks County shows how neighboring jurisdictions handle similar projects.
Permit Process at a Glance
| Step | Details |
| Confirm jurisdiction | Verify your property is in unincorporated Hancock County, Spring Lake, or Shirley |
| Submit ILP application | Residential Accessory/Alteration form with site plan and setback dimensions |
| Submit building permit | Construction drawings, framing plan, footing details, stair/railing specs |
| Pay fees | $75 ILP + $150–$225 building (based on inspections) |
| Call 811 | At least 48 hours before digging |
| Footing inspection | Schedule through the Building Department before pouring concrete |
| Final inspection | After all work is complete — stairs, guards, and railings in place |
Ready to Build Your Deck in Hancock County?
Platinum Deck and Patio serves homeowners throughout the east side of the Indianapolis metro, including the Mt. Comfort corridor and unincorporated Hancock County. We take care of plans, permits, and inspections from start to finish. Call (463) 466-5870 or visit patiocontractorsindianapolis.com to get your project started.