Planning Department

BROWN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN RE-WRITE

First Draft- Brown County Comprehensive Plan

Second Draft- Brown County Comprehensive Plan

Third Draft- Brown County Comprehensive Plan

Ordinances

  1. 2016 Floodplain Ordinance (PDF)
  2. Animal Control Ordinance (PDF)
  3. Brown County Comprehensive Plan (PDF)
  1. Wireless Cell Facility Ordinance (PDF)
  2. Indiana Broadband Ready Resolution (PDF)
  1. Subdivision Control Ordinance (PDF)
  2. Brown County Zoning Ordinance 2024

General Information

  1. Physical Addressing Requirements (PDF)
  2. Who Will Hear My Petition (PDF)
  1. Filing Fees - effective 1.1.2022
  2. Electric Permit Form 2023
  1. HOME OCCUPATION PERMIT FORM 2023
  2. Contractor Application

Building Information

  1. Town of Nashville Minimum Standards (Residence) (PDF)
  1. Building Permit Information
  1. County Minimum Building Standards Chart Revised 2022

Signs (Excluding Town Of Nashville)

  1. County Sign Application
Click here to view the Town of Nashville Zoning Ordinance

Frequently Asked Questions


Is there a place online where I can get zoning for a property?

No, unfortunately Brown County zoning maps are not posted online, and you must call or email our office to get property zoning.

Can I live in a camper/recreational vehicle on my property?

No, campers and RVs are not designed for long-term living and do not meet minimum square footage requirements for residences and do not meet building codes to be used as a permanent dwelling.

Am I able to use my home as a short-term rental/tourist home/bed and breakfast?

In Brown County, to operate a short-term rental, you must apply for a Special Exception in our office and your home must be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals. In the county, all short-term rentals should be 250 feet or more from the nearest residence and 1,320 feet or more from the nearest short-term rental. In the Town of Nashville, eligibility is determined by property zoning. You can call our office to see if your property would be eligible to apply for a Special Exception.

What is the difference between a short-term rental and a long-term rental?

A short-term rental is any dwelling rented out for periods of 30 days or less and long-term rentals are any dwellings rented out for periods of 31 days or more. Long-term rentals do not require any Special Exceptions or permits from the Planning Department.

What is a Home Stay?

A Home Stay is a single-family residence that is occupied by the owner and is used to provide up to two (2) guestrooms to the public for a fee.

What permits are required for Home Stays?

Home Stays are considered Home Occupations in Brown County and require a yearly Home Occupation permit for every year that the residence is used as a Home Stay. In the Town of Nashville, Home Stays require a Special Exception in R1 and R2 districts, as well as the yearly Home Occupation permit.

Do I need a sign permit?

Any signs over 4 square feet require a sign permit. You must have written permission from the property owner if the sign is placed on a property that you do not own. County sign applications can be obtained from the Planning Department and Town of Nashville sign applications can be obtained from the Nashville Town Hall or https://www.townofnashville.org/development-review-commission. Any temporary signs in the Town of Nashville require a temporary sign permit, received in the Plan Commission Department.

How do I get an address for my property?

In Brown County, a residence or residential building permit is required before we can issue an address. An address will be assigned when a building permit for a residence is acquired for the property. We cannot issue addresses for vacant parcels of land.

Can I pay over the phone?

No, we are able to take payment in person via Check (made payable to BC APC), Cash (Exact), or Credit Card (3% fee).