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Jay County, Indiana

"Named in 1835 for Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay"
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Building & Planning

Confined Feeding Regulations Section 216 (PDF)
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Building & Planning

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John Hemmelgarn

Director/Administrator

jpbp.jhemmel@gmail.com

Jay/ Portland Building & Planning Department
Community Resource Center
118 S. Meridian Street, Ste E
Portland, IN 47371

Phone Number: 260-726-6904
Cell Number:
Fax Number:

Appointed

Pati McLaughlin

Assistant Director

jaycobldg@gmail.com

Jay/ Portland Building & Planning Department
Community Resource Center
118 S. Meridian Street, Ste E
Portland, IN 47371

Phone Number: 260-726-6904
Cell Number:
Fax Number:

Appointed

Department Functions/Services

  • Issue City & County Building and Zoning Permits
  • Administer City & County Zoning Ordinances
  • Perform Building and Zoning Inspections
  • Administer Local Plan Review Process
  • Administer Rezoning Process
  • Provide City & County Plan Commission Staff Support
  • Provide City & County Board of Zoning Appeals Staff Support
  • Administer City & County Flood Control Ordinances
  • Respond to Citizen Inquiries and Requests

Zoning Regulations:

Area of Coverage

Jay County:
The authority of Jay County is Pennville, Salamonia, and all other unincorporated areas.

Jay County Zoning Ordinance


Zoning Maps & Flood Plain Maps
Jay County eGis is provided by 39 Degrees North:

Flood Areas
Floodways and flood plain areas are regulated by Portland, Jay County, the Indiana
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and FEMA. If you are building near a ditch,
waterway or low area, you need to contact our Department for the requirements and
regulations governing these areas. Floodways and flood plain areas are available on
the eGis site.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I Need A Permit For...

New Home - Yes
Garage or Carport - Yes
New or Enlarged Basement - Yes
Additions & Structural Changes - Yes
Roof Structural Changes - Yes
Porch Roof & Lean-to - Yes
Deck - Yes
Fence - Yes (Pennville only)
Accessory Buildings

(100 Sq Ft & Larger) - Yes

Pool, Above or In Ground - Yes
Pond - Yes
Signage - Yes (Pennville only)
Awning (Non-residential) - Yes (Pennville only)
Commercial Buildings & Structures - Yes
Ag Buildings, Structures & Grain Bins - Yes
Towers - Yes
Merchant & Business Occupancy - Yes
Home Occupation - Yes

Replacement of …
Windows - No
Vinyl Siding - No
Sidewalks - No
Driveways - No

Permit Application Form & Permit Fees:
Permit application form

is available for download.
Permit fees vary depending on the project and are not published online. Please contact the Department to obtain the permit fees applicable to your project.


ADVANCED PLANNING
The department will assist you in meeting the Zoning and Building requirements applicable to your project.
Just Call 260-726-6904

Directions to the Courthouse
120 North Court Street #2
Portland, IN 47371
Phone: (260) 726-7575

Enter your starting address:

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Meeting Calendar

July, 2025
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
   01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Total Events this Month 7
2025-07-04 - Independance Day
2025-07-09 - County Council Meeting
2025-07-14 - Jay County Country Living Advisory Board of Directors
2025-07-14 - Commissioner’s Meeting
2025-07-21 - Jay County Commissioners Special Session
2025-07-28 - Commissioner’s Meeting
2025-07-30 - Jay County Commissioners

Community Calendar

  • News
    • Indiana 211 Activation
    • NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
  • Jay Co Departments
    • Assessor's Office
    • Auditor's Office
    • Building & Planning
    • Circuit Court
    • Clerk's Office
    • Commissioners
    • Cooperative Extension Service
    • Coroner
    • County Council
    • Emergency Management Agency (EMA)
    • Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
    • Health Department
    • Highway Department
    • Prosecutor
    • Recorder's Office
    • Retirement Facility
    • Sheriff's Office
    • Superior Court
    • Surveyor
    • Township Trustees
    • Treasurer's Office
    • Veterans Affairs
    • Welfare
  • Our Community
    • County Departments
    • Cities & Towns
    • Schools
    • Libraries
    • Indiana Links
  • Services
    • eGIS
    • FedStats
    • Public Record Search
    • IN Voter Registration
  • Contact Us
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