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Permits & Contractors
The following three guides help to explain the process to apply for and acquire permits through the Shelbyville Planning and Building Department. These guides will help to outline what work on a structure will require permitting and what is exempt.
Permit Applications
The following links are to download permit applications for all of the types of permits issued by the Shelbyville Planning and Building Department. These applications must be completed in full and be accompanied with any required supplementary information when submitted to our office.
- 2026 Electrical Permit Application (PDF)
- 2026 Fire Permit Application (PDF)
- 2026 Improvement Location - Building Permit (PDF)
- 2026 Mechanical Permit Application (PDF)
- 2026 Permanent Sign Application (PDF)
- 2026 Plumbing Permit Application (PDF)
- 2026 Right Of Way Cut Permit (PDF)
- 2026 Temporary Sign Permit (PDF)
Contractor Registration
Prior to submitting any type of permit application, contractors must be registered with the City of Shelbyville Building Commission Office. Using the tabs, you will find contractor registration information and requirements for the City of Shelbyville. All registrations expire at the end of the calendar year, and will need to be renewed every year to continue to do work within the City of Shelbyville. If you have any questions that are not answered on this page, please feel free to contact our Permits and Licenses Administrator, Lisa Loveless.
Prior to submitting an application for a building permit, contractors must be registered with the City of Shelbyville Building Commission. Registration applications can be found at the bottom of this page. When submitted, applications need to be fully completed and should be accompanied by the following items:
- Registration Fee of $50
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance
- An original, signed $10,000 Surety Bond made payable to "The City of Shelbyville"
Note: Both the surety bond and certificate of insurance must have expiration dates printed on them, to ensure they are valid.
View the Building Contractor Registration Application (PDF).
Exception
The only exception to these requirements is when a homeowner is performing work on the house they own and live in. In this instance the homeowner does not need to get registered as a building contractor, but they must obtain a permit for the work prior to beginning the work.
Prior to submitting an application for an electrical permit, individuals and contractors must be registered with the City of Shelbyville Building Commission as an Electrical Contractor. Only Electrical Contractors are able to apply for and obtain electrical permits. Registration applications can be found at the bottom of this page. When submitted, applications need to be fully completed and should be accompanied by the following items:
- Registration Fee of $150 (new) ; $100 (renewal)
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance
- An original, signed $10,000 Surety Bond made payable to "The City of Shelbyville"
- Proof of passing the Block and Associates exam, or an equivalent exam accepted in another jurisdiction. A current letter from the jurisdiction where the applicant took and passed an exam, with the applicant's score indicated in the letter should be provided as proof.
Note: Both the surety bond and certificate of insurance must have expiration dates printed on them, to ensure they are valid. If a letter from another jurisdiction is provided for proof of passing an exam, the letter must be dated no older than 60 days prior to applying with the Building Commission.
View the Electrical Contractor Registration Application (PDF)
Electrical Journeymen
Anyone working on a jobsite, with an Electrical Contractor, must be registered with the Shelbyville Building Commission as either an Electrical Journeyman or Apprentice. Applicants should complete the registration application and provide the following items:
- Registration Fee of $75
- Proof of passing the Block and Associates exam, or an equivalent exam accepted in another jurisdiction
Note: An Electrical Journeyman can hold a license in their own name to preserve an active status, but they cannot engage in electrical work unless it is being conducted under the supervision of an active contractor and a permit has been issued for the work.
View the Electrical Journeyman Registration Application (PDF)
Electrical Apprentice
Anyone actively working on a jobsite with a licensed electrical contractor must obtain an apprentice license. There are no registration requirements beyond completing the registration application and paying the registration fee of $50.
View the Electrical Apprentice Registration Application (PDF)
Exception: The only exception to these requirements are when a homeowner is performing work on the house they own and live in. In this instance the homeowner must take and pass an electrical exam to become a "Limited Contractor." These exams are "open-book" exams and are administered at the Building Commission office every second Wednesday of the month at 8 am. The applicant must receive a score of at least 80% to pass the exam and become a "Limited Contractor." The "Limited Contractor" license is only valid for the homeowner's current residence, and expires once the current electrical work has been completed. Homeowners MUST still obtain permits before starting any electrical work at their home.
Prior to submitting an application for a plumbing permit, the plumbing contractor must be registered with the City of Shelbyville Building Commission as a Plumbing Contractor. Only Plumbing Contractors are able to apply for, and obtain plumbing permits. Registration applications can be found at the bottom of this page. When submitted, applications need to be fully completed and should be accompanied with the following items:
- Registration Fee of $100
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance
- An original, signed $10,000 Surety Bond made payable to "The City of Shelbyville"
- Proof of an active "Plumbing Contractor's" license with the State of Indiana Plumbing Commission
Note: Both the surety bond and certificate of insurance must have expiration dates printed on them, to ensure they are valid.
The State of Indiana requires that all plumbing work be completed by or under the supervision of an individual licensed as a "Plumbing Contractor" with the State Plumbing Commission. Within the City of Shelbyville, only Plumbing Contractor's are able to apply for and obtain a plumbing permit.
View the Plumbing Contractor Registration Application (PDF).
Plumbing Journeyman
To apply to be a plumbing journeyman, as defined by the State Plumbing Commission, applicants must submit a completed registration application. Along with a completed application, applicants must provide proof of an active "Plumbing Journeyman" license with the State Plumbing Commission, and a registration fee of $50. Plumbing Journeymen must register under a Plumbing Contractor who is already registered with the Shelbyville Building Commission prior to working on any jobsite.
View the Plumbing Journeyman Registration Application (PDF).
Plumbing Apprentice
To apply to be a plumbing apprentice, as defined by the State Plumbing Commission, applicants must submit a completed registration application. Along with a completed application, applicants must provide proof of an active "Plumbing Apprentice" license with the State Plumbing Commission, and a registration fee of $50. Plumbing Apprentice must register under a Plumbing Contractor who is already registered with the Shelbyville Building Commission prior to working on any jobsite.
View the Plumbing Apprentice Registration Application (PDF).
Exception: The only exception to these requirements are when a homeowner is performing work on the house they own and live in. In this instance the homeowner does not need to get registered as a plumbing contractor, but they must obtain a permit prior to beginning any work.
Prior to submitting an application for a mechanical permit, individuals and contractors must be registered with the City of Shelbyville Building Commission as a Mechanical Contractor. Only Mechanical Contractors are able to apply for and obtain mechanical permits. Registration applications can be found at the bottom of this page. When submitted, applications need to be fully completed and should be accompanied with the following items:
- Registration Fee of $50
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance
- An original, signed $10,000 Surety Bond made payable to "The City of Shelbyville"
Note: Both the surety bond and certificate of insurance must have expiration dates printed on them, to ensure they are valid.
View the Mechanical Contractor Registration Application (PDF)
Exception
The only exception to these requirements is when a homeowner is performing work on the house they own and live in. In this instance the homeowner does not need to get registered as a mechanical contractor, but they must obtain a permit for the work prior to beginning the work.
Prior to submitting an application for a Right-Of-Way permit, individuals and contractors must be registered with the City of Shelbyville Engineer's Office as a Right-Of-Way Contractor. Only Right-Of-Way Contractors are able to apply for and obtain Right-Of-Way permits. Registration applications can be found at the bottom of this page. When submitted, applications need to be fully completed and should be accompanied with the following items:
- Registration Fee of $50
- Certificate of General Liability Insurance
- An original, signed $10,000 Surety Bond made payable to "The City of Shelbyville"
Note: Both the surety bond and certificate of insurance must have expiration dates printed on them, to ensure they are valid.
View the Right-of-Way Contractor Registration Application (PDF).
Construction Requiring a Location Improvement Permit
In some cases a building permit is not needed but a Location Improvement Permit is required. No Improvement Location Permit shall be issued unless the project is in conformity with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance, the Subdivision Control Ordinance and all other applicable regulations of the City of Shelbyville. When applicable, consistent with Article 8 of the Zoning Ordinance, Site Development Plan review and approval shall be completed prior to the issuance of an Improvement Location Permit. This permit is $50 for each structure.
Inspections
It is the duty of the permit holder to call for all required inspections, including final inspections. If, however, you are the mechanical, plumbing, or electrical contractor involved in work performed under a Building Permit, please coordinate your inspections with the Building Contractor so that our staff may perform as many inspections as possible in each visit. Failure to have a Final Inspection may result in fines, occupancy being restricted or forbidden and the possibility of utilities being disconnected from the building or structure.