Building Permit Form
                            Fence Permit Application
                            Permanent Sign Form

NOTE: You will need Adobe Reader® installed on your computer to download the permit applications.  Get Adobe Reader® for free by going to the following link:  www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

This ordinance is enforced by the City of Warsaw Building Department.  If found in violation of this ordinance, owners of the property will be issued a "Notice of Order Requiring Correction of Unsafe Premises," requiring them to remedy the existing violation within a specified period of time.  If the requested corrective steps are not taken within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Certified Letter, the letter becomes an official order of the Warsaw City Building Commissioner enforceable by civil action in the Kosciusko Circuit Court, pursuant to Indiana Code 36-7-9-17.

The Building Commissioner may issue an order relative to any unsafe premises to require action including, but not limited to:

1.	Vacating of an unsafe building;
2.	Sealing an unsafe building against intrusion by unauthorized persons;
3.	Extermination of vermin in and about the unsafe premises;
4.	Repair of an unsafe building to bring it into compliance with standards for building condition or maintenance found in ordinances enacted by the Common Council or State laws;
5.	Removal of a potion of an unsafe building; or
6.	Removal of an unsafe building.

The property owner has the right to request a hearing before the Warsaw City Building Commissioner if he/she disputes the existence of any of the noted code violations.  If the property owner chooses to exercise his/her right to such a hearing, the request must be in writing delivered to the Building Commissioner's Office at the Engineering Building, 794 West Center Street, Warsaw, IN  46580  (phone: 219-372-9548), within ten (10) days from receipt of the notice.  If such a request for hearing is not received within that 10-day period, the notice becomes the final order enforceable by civil action in the Kosciusko County Circuit Court, pursuant to Indiana Code 36-7-9-17.

Should the notice become an order of the Building Commissioner, either by the expiration of the 10-day period in which to comply or request a hearing, or by the final determination of a court of law, and the property owner fails to comply with that order, he/she will be obligated to supply full information regarding the order to any person who takes or agrees to take a substantial "Notice of Order Requring Correction of Unsafe Premises Property Interest" in the unsafe premises, before the property interest in those premises can be transferred, pursuant to Indiana Code 36-7-9-27(a)(1).

Also, the property owner must, within five (5) days after transferring or agreeing to transfer a substantial property interest in the unsafe premises, supply the Warsaw City Building Commissioner with written copies of the full name, address, and telephone number of the person whom he/she transferred a substantial property interest in the unsafe premises and a written copy of the legal instrument under which the transfer or agreement to transfer was accomplished, pursuant to Indiana Code 36-7-9-27(a)(2).

To ensure safe and sanitary structural conditions in your neighborhood, you have the right to report ordinance violations.  To do so, call the City of Warsaw Building Department at 372-9548 between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm weekdays.

Please keep in mind that a majority of these violations did not occur overnight. Therefore, a remedy may not be available overnight.  Legal requirements regarding the notification of the property owner occasionally can delay action on the complaint.  If at any time you do not see corrective action in an ordinance violation, please contact the Building Department for an update on the situation.

You should never ignore a letter received from the City of Warsaw Building and Planning Department informing  you of an ordinance violation that exists on your property.  If the problem is not corrected, the property owner can be subject to fines, civil or criminal charges, and possible demolition of the building if found to be dangerous.

For the benefit of its residents, the City of Warsaw reserves the authority to remove trash, weeds, and junk autos; board up buildings; and order property owners to make repairs.  The property owner will be billed for any actions taken by the City.   If not paid, the bill will be legally pursued for collection, possibly resulting in a lien being placed against the property.  Please remember these ordinances act as a service to the residents of the City of Warsaw to ensure their safety.

If you have any questions regarding a letter you may have received from the City of Warsaw Building and Planning Department, call 372-9548 immediately to discuss it.

If you are planning to make improvements to your property, you must first remember to obtain the appropriate building permits.  Permits are required for any improvements estimated at a cost of $1,500 or more to any residential or commercial property within the City of Warsaw.

This $1,500 includes material and labor.  If you are not hiring a contractor and are doing the labor yourself, you must count yourself as a laborer in the estimation of how much the improvement will cost you.  A permit is required for electric upgrade and if the work includes structural changes.

A permit is not required for re-roofing, siding, or re-siding, unless window replacement is involved, painting, or other minor repair work.  If you are not sure if the work you plan to do requires a building permit, please call the City of Warsaw Building Department at 372-9548.

Fences in residential districts should not exceed six feet (6') in height in the back, side, and front yards.  If property is bordered by an alley, a setback of three feet (3') is required.  If property is bordered by a street, a setback of ten feet (10') is required.

Fences shall be constructed of uniform material, color, and height.  All fencing shall be maintained in a good state of repair.  The City may order removal of any fence which becomes a public hazard due to lack of maintenance or repair.  The City may order removal of any fence obstructing the view for vehicular traffic at street or alley intersections. 

All residential pools are required to be enclosed by a fence at least five feet (5') in height.  The fence must completely surround the pool and deck area, with the exception of self-closing and latching gates and doors, both capable of being locked.