Building Permits in City of Columbia City
Whitley County, Indiana
Columbia City/Whitley County Joint Planning and Building Department
220 W Van Buren St, Suite 204, Columbia City, IN 46725
Phone: 260-248-3112
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
220 W Van Buren St, Suite 204, Columbia City, IN 46725
Phone: 260-248-3112
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website
Permit Types & Fees
| Permit Type | Category | Fee | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Building Permit Required for new residential construction, additions, and major renovations within the City of Columbia City. Handled through the joint county/city department. | residential | Contact office | 2-4 weeks |
| Commercial Building Permit Required for commercial construction and renovations within Columbia City limits. | commercial | Contact office | 4-8 weeks |
Required Documents
Residential Building Permit
- Completed building permit application
- Construction drawings (site plan, floor plans, elevations)
- Plot plan or survey
Commercial Building Permit
- Commercial permit application
- Stamped architectural/engineering plans
- Indiana State Design Release
Building Code
Indiana Building Code (IRC/IBC with Indiana amendments)
Inspection Process
Contact the Joint Planning and Building Department at 260-248-3112 (main) or 260-248-3111 (inspections) to schedule.
Additional Notes
Columbia City and Whitley County operate a joint Planning and Building Department. Same office handles permits for the city and all of Whitley County. County seat of Whitley County, northeast Indiana.
Verified Data Last verified: March 23, 2026 · Source: Whitley County Planning and Building Department website