NEW INFORMATION 

SO DO I NEED A PERMIT???

All Residential, Commercial and Industrial construction that changes a building exterior footprint or new addition requires a Building & Construction Permit Application completed in its entirety. 

PERMITS ARE NEEDED FOR:
1. All new residential, commercial or industrial construction.
2. All room additions, like covered patio, sun rooms, enlarged rooms.
3. Accessory Buildings, Out-Buildings, Attached/Detached Garages,& Sheds 
4. In-Ground & Above Ground Swimming Pools
5. Fences - either new or replacement of existing.
6. Signs - Signs and Advertising Media
7. Retention, Detention or other large pond construction.
8. Demolition of structures.
9. Solar Panel Systems
10. Wind Generators
11. Vendors - door to door sales 

Permits are not required for:  Most remodeling that does not change the building footprint; Uncovered Structures to include decks, swimming pool aprons, patios, side walks, driveways, parking areas, porches, and breezeways (open roof or lattice is not covered; Seasonal Temp. Swimming Pools; Mail Boxes and Mail Box Enclosures; Basketball Hoops; Trellises; Private Utility Poles; Signs (Some); Temp. Out Buildings/Garden Sheds on stone or brick foundation; Roofing & Siding Projects.
  
REQUIRED SET BACK DISTANCES:

Residential General Construction, Room Additions, Accessory Structures / Pole Barns / Large Sheds, Solar Power Systems, Wind Generators, and Signage.
a.  Residential Locations - Min. 55 feet from Center of Roadway (Township Roads) or 90 feet from Center of Road (State or County Maintained Roadways); Rear Set Back is 35 feet, and Side Yard Set Back in 8 feet.  In former Ft. Shawnee front set back is 45 feet from center of roadway, Rear Set Back is 35 feet, and Side Yard Set Back is 5 feet.

b. Small Garden Sheds - Min. 55 feet from Center of Roadway (Township  Roads) or 90 feet from Center of Road (State or County Maintained  Roadways); Rear Set Back is 4 feet, and Side Yard Set Back in 8 feet. 

c. In-Ground, Above Ground, and Seasonal Swimming Pools - Minimum set back distance is 15 feet  away from all property lines. Above Ground require means and method to prevent accidental falls or intrusion into the pool.  In-Ground Pools require a min. 4 foot wall or fencing to prevent accidental access and falls into pool.  

d. Fences - If on property line, a document detailing who is responsible for care and upkeep is required and signed by all affected property owners.  If not, then the distance required to maintain upkeep without trespassing on adjoining property owners property.

e. Ponds - Minimum of 35 feet from all property lines and a minimum of 25 feet from any structure, i.e. primary residence due to flooding or overflow. 

SEE ARTICLE 19- BULK & ARE REQUIREMENTS DETAILING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SET BACK REQUIRMENTS, LOT SIZES, MIN. SQUARE FOOTAGE AND OTHER INFORMATION LOCATED IN THE SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION.  COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SET BACK DISTANCES, LOT SIZES AND OTHER REQUIRMENTS ARE ADDRESSED ON A SEPERATE TABLE UNDER ARTICLE 19.

NOTE- Nothing is to be constructed or placed within the road right of way.  Small Mailboxes are an exception.  Brick, Stone or other Decorative Mail Box Covering placed in Road Right of Way is subject to being struck by motorist or damaged during snow removal.  Owner assumes risk of damage due to placement. 

Any construction within a designated easement area will require a permit from that agency(s) holding rights to that easement.  Therefore all construction within an easement is discouraged.

Property owner is responsible to know where all property lines are located as well as any easements and deed restrictions.  Allen County Auditor's Office gives a general view of property lines and easement locations, however unless you know for sure where your property lines are located or easement areas are a Surveyor can legally determine specifics.

SO WHAT ALL PAPERWORK DO I NEED?
Your specific Permit Application you are working on.  A Site Plan showing existing structures and all new building areas; All set back measurements from property lines to proposed structure clearly identified; Proposed building drawings showing all views, elevations, materials, and foundation.  Some plans in neighborhood developments require a landscape and lighting plan. 

Shawnee Township does not conduct building code inspections of Residential Structures.  It is the owners responsibility to utilize a professional and licensed contractor for safety and liability.  Contact Lima Building Department if you need additional information.

Some construction projects do require additional agency involvement, e.g. Shawnee Township Roadway Supt., Allen Co. Roadway Engineer, Allen Co. Drainage Engineer, Allen Soil/Water Conservation District, Army Corp of Engineers, EPA, and Lima/Allen Co. Regional Planning Commission.  Shawnee Township Zoning Department utilizes several of these agencies based on potential issues or concerns of the site or adjoining property owners.  This will cause a delay in processing your application.  

Commercial and Industrial Construction Projects are additionally overseen by the Lima Allen County Building Department and require a separate application and permit from their agency as well as Shawnee Townships permitting requirements. The Lima / Allen County Building Department will not process Commercial and Industrial Construction Projects without providing their office a copy of Shawnee Townships Zoning Permit.   

CLICK ON THE ZONING INFORMATION TAB ON THE LEFT FOR ADDITIONAL ZONING INFORMATION AND UPDATES.