Fort Wayne Allen County Site Development Portal

The first step is to determine which planning jurisdiction (e.g., City of Fort Wayne, unincorporated Allen County, City of New Haven, Town of Leo-Cedarville, etc.) your project is located in. Some regulations and processes are the same from one jurisdiction to the next, but others vary. It is important to determine which regulations apply to your project.

As part of the research phase, you need to consider the following:

• Whether your property is located in a flood plain
• What impact your improvement will have on your property value and property taxes
• Where utility easements and property lines are
• Whether you are on a septic system
• Zoning requirements and neighborhood covenants

Typically, a building permit is issued the same day, but there may be preliminary requirements of other departments. How long the process takes depends on your project. There are time constraints involved in obtaining permits, securing inspections, and actually completing the process.

The permitting and inspection processes are in place to protect you and your family. They are necessary to help ensure that the improvement project is completed safely and in accordance with state and local codes. One factor that determines when you need a permit is whether your project is considered a "remodel" or "maintenance" on your home. For example, replacing the sink in your bathroom is "maintenance." Adding a bathroom to your home is a "remodel." Consult the Building Department and your local planning department to be sure that you are aware of the permits necessary for your project.

Depending on the project, you may need to hire a professional architect or designer. For commercial projects, licensed contractors are required. For your own home, you may also find it helpful to hire a licensed contractor instead of trying to do the work yourself. Before deciding whether to hire a professional, learn about the permits and inspections necessary for your project.

You can look up zoning for all properties within the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County (excluding New Haven and Leo-Cedarville) on the Allen County iMap Data Viewer: http://www.acimap.us/portal/. Alternatively, you can e-mail the Department of Planning Services (DPS) at michelle.walters@co.allen.in.us--please be sure to include in your e-mail the address of your project. As a last resort, call DPS at 260-449-7607 with the project's property address.

To learn about zoning for New Haven properties, check the City of New Haven's Web site at http://www.newhavenin.org/department/division.php?fDD=10-91 or call 260-748-7040. To learn about zoning for Leo-Cedarville properties, call the town office at 260-627-6321.

You can access the zoning ordinances for the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County at the following location: http://www.allencounty.us/land-use/ordinances. Alternatively, you can call the Department of Planning Services at 260-449-7607 with a property address to learn about permitted uses in zoning districts in Allen County (except for New Haven and Leo Cedarville). To learn about permitted uses for zoning districts in the City of New Haven's call 260-748-7040 and, for Leo-Cedarville properties, call the town office at 260-627-6321.

If your project is in the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County (outside of New Haven and Leo Cedarville), call the Department of Planning Services at 260-449-7607 to speak to a staff member about whether your project requires a land use permit (also called an Improvement Location Permit—ILP). To learn about requirements for land use permits in the City of New Haven call 260-748-7040 and, for Leo-Cedarville, call the town office at 260-627-6321.

For the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County projects (except for those in New Haven and Leo Cedarville), call 260-449-7607 and talk with Department of Planning Services staff about the permitted signage for your site. Sometimes, Plan Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals approves a Master Sign Plan as part of your development. Department of Planning Services staff can check this for you. To learn about permitted signage in the City of New Haven, call 260-748-7040, and for Leo-Cedarville, call the town office at 260-627-6321.

If you project is in the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County (outside of New Haven and Leo Cedarville), call 260-449-7607 and talk with Department of Planning Services staff about the requirements for building setbacks from property lines. To learn about setback requirements in the City of New Haven, call 260-748-7040, and for Leo-Cedarville, call the town office at 260-627-6321.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22. Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 508.1 of the IFC covers the requirements for water supply as it relates to fire protection. To learn more about the requirements for water supply and/or fire hydrants for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22. Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 508.5.1 of the IFC covers the requirements for water supply as it relates to fire protection. To learn more about the requirements for water supply and/or fire hydrants for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 903 of the IFC defines which projects require sprinkler systems. To learn more about the requirements for sprinkler systems for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 903.4 of the IFC covers sprinkler systems and alarms. To learn more about the requirements for sprinkler systems for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 903.4 of the IFC covers sprinkler system monitoring and alarms. To learn more about the requirements for sprinkler systems for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 907 of the IFC covers fire alarm systems. To learn more about the requirements for fire alarm systems for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 907 of the IFC describes the requirements for fire alarm monitoring. To learn more about the fire alarm monitoring requirements for your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 503 of the IFC defines the requirements for fire department access. To learn more about these requirements as they relate to your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 503.2.1 of the IFC defines the requirements for fire department access roads. Typically, when fire department access roads are required on your project, they must be 20 feet in width. To learn more about these requirements as they relate to your project, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of the IFC and are familiar with the requirements.

The International Fire Code® (IFC) is a proprietary set of fire safety standards established by the International Code Council®. The International Code Council periodically updates the IFC through the issuance of new editions. These standards support the regulation of development to ensure such things as fire safety precautions, adequate fire protection systems, and firefighters' access to water and the property in the event of an emergency. Within the Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) Article 22 Fire Prevention Codes, the State of Indiana adopts in whole or in part the regulations contained in the IFC. In 2008, the State of Indiana adopted the 2006 edition of the IFC (see 675 IAC 22-2.4-1).

Section 912 of the IFC describes the requirements for installation of the FDC. Furthermore, the FDC design must comply with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 13. These standards are available, for a fee, at the following Web site: http://www.nfpa.org/catalog/. Alternatively, contact the Fort Wayne Fire Department at 260-427-1479 to learn more about these requirements as they relate to your project. If you have engaged an architect or engineer to support your project, you may also inquire with these professionals, as they often have copies of these codes and are familiar with the requirements.

You need to speak with a member of the Food and Consumer Protection Division. He or she can explain the process for submitting plans and setting up inspections. Information is available at www.allencountyhealth.com or at our offices located on the third floor of Citizen's Square (Suite 360, 200 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana). You may also contact us at 260-449-7562.

You need to speak with a member of the Food and Consumer Protection Division. He or she can explain the process for submitting plans and setting up the inspections. It is extremely important for you to talk to a division member prior to the actual change in ownership, as you can be provided with a complete list of how to bring the establishment into compliance prior to the purchase taking place. Information is available at www.allencountyhealth.com or at our offices located on the third floor of Citizens Square (Suite 360, 200 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana). You may also contact us at 260-449-7562.

Any retail food establishment that prepares, stores, offers for sale or serves prepackaged potentially hazardous foods, or offers for sale or serves any open food or beverages is required to obtain a food establishment permit from the Department of Health. For more information, contact a member of the Food and Consumer Protection Division at 260-449-7562 or visit www.allencountyhealth.com.

What type of permit you need depends on the nature of your food establishment. To obtain a food establishment permit, you must submit a full set of plans to the Department of Health prior to construction of a new establishment or remodel of an existing building. The Department of Health conducts a plan review of submitted plans. If further information is required for the Department of Health's review and approval of the Improvement Location Permit (ILP), a revised set of plans may be required. Once the ILP is approved, the Department of Health asks that a hold be placed on the Certificate of Compliance (C of C) until all its requirements are met. This includes scheduling preliminary inspection(s) with the Department of Health to ensure compliance with code requirements, submittal of food permit application and fees, and scheduling the final inspection with the Department of Health. Once all code requirements are met, the Department of Health grants an approval to operate during the final inspection. For more information and to learn about the specific food establishment permit(s) you may need, contact a member of the Food and Consumer Protection Division at 260-449-7562 or visit www.allencountyhealth.com.

To view the Indiana Food Code, please visit:

Indiana Food Code

Allen County Food Ordinance

A permit is required for the operation of all tattoo and/or body piercing facilities in Allen County. Currently, there is no formal plan review requirement in the Tattoo and Body Piercing Ordinance  or in the State Rule for Sanitary Operation of Tattoo Parlors and Body Piercing Facilities (410 IAC 1-5 can be accessed at Indiana Tattoo/Body Piercing Rule).

To obtain a tattoo and/or body piercing facility permit, you must contact the Department of Health for a preliminary inspection prior to opening the facility and submit the application and fees for a tattoo and/or body piercing facility permit. Allen County Tattoo Permit Application.

Once the Department of Health grants approval, the facility is approved to operate. All artists employed at the facility must also obtain a tattoo and/or body piercing artist permit from the Department of Health and submit the necessary application, fees, and required paperwork prior to operation.

Yes. Allen County Code Title 10, Article 4.5, Chapter 4 requires a permit prior to starting construction on a new septic system, construction on a replacement system, alteration or repair of an existing system, or building a sanitary vault privy. Steps for obtaining a permit to install a septic system for new construction involve the following:

1. Hire a soil scientist. Note: You may want to consult a professional engineer (P.E.) before hiring a soil scientist. Soil Scientist List.

2. Hire a P.E. (For a list of P.E.s, visit the following site: Engineer List)

3. Fill out an application for a construction and operation permit for private sewage disposal system. Septic Construction Permit Application and the Septic Operation Permit Application.

The following must be submitted to complete the application:

• Soils report from Licensed Soil Scientist
   
• Floor plans of home, including basement and any closets
   
• Legal description and/or survey, including flood zone notation
   
• Plot plan prepared by a registered engineer that shows:
  • the proposed site
  • on-site sewage system with respect to property lines
  • existing and proposed structures; roads and water supply
  • site topography with contours established at one (1) foot intervals and the location of a benchmark
     
• Signed notice that has been signed by all (i.e., signed by each person whose name appears on the property deed for the property on which the septic system is to be installed) property owners stating they have been made aware of the Indiana State Department of Health's recommended protocol for soil testing (August 2001 - Moraine Protocol)
   
• $175.00 inspection fee; $150 Allen County Onsite Wastewater Management District (ACOWMD) Fee (both made payable to the Allen County Treasurer)

The review process begins after the submittal of the following materials:

1. A survey/legal description
    
2. The floor plans of the proposed or existing house including any additions and basement
    
3. A copy of the soil test
    
4. A copy of the septic sewer design
    
5. A completed application including fees (Septic Construction Permit Application)
    
6. A copy of the signed Indiana State Department of Health Moraine Protocol
   
   
7. A completed Allen County Onsite Wastewater Management District (ACOWMD) application available at ACOWMD Permit Application.

Please refer to the question "Is a permit required to install a septic system and how do I obtain one?" The review process is implemented in the order that the complete submittal is received. The septic design review mandates that the submittal meets the standards set forth by Allen County Code Title 10 Article 4.5 and Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.2. The permittee shall be notified in writing stating the specific reasons for the denial of the permit.

The length of time this process takes depends on the following:

1. The response time of the permittee to correct the items that are not compliant to Allen County Code Title 10 Article 4.5 and Indiana State Department of Health Rule 410 IAC 6-8.2. The most common reasons the Allen County Department of Health must delay the release of the Department of Planning Services improvement location permit (ILP) are:
   
   
   1. Obtaining Drainage Board approval for the interconnection to a legal drain and/or the encroachment into the 75-foot right of way into a legal drain.
       
   2. Obtaining a recorded easement for the portion of the septic system that includes the perimeter drain outlet tile not located on the property.
       
2. The number of revisions that are required until the septic design is approved and the response time of the permittee to submit the revisions.

Any commercial use needs to be reviewed by the Indiana State Department of Health. Helpful information on how to complete this state review process is available at Indiana Commercial Septic System Information. Businesses with significant water usage (including, but not limited to catering, beauty shop, dog kennel, or grooming) are the most likely to require system modification.

Please visit www.allencountyhealth.com for electronic copies. For State regulations about onsite sewage systems, visit:

Indiana Onsite Sewage System Rule

For the Allen County onsite sewage system ordinance, visit:

Allen County Onsite Sewage Ordinance

In accordance with Allen County Code Title 10 Article 5, it is "unlawful for any person to operate a public or semi-public pool in Allen County, Indiana, who does not possess a valid permit from the Health Commissioner." "Only a pool at a one- (1) or two- (2) family dwelling, maintained for the sole use of the households and houseguests, or any pool or spa in a hospital or health facility approved by the State Board of Health, which pool or spa is used for individual therapy only and drained and filled prior to each individual use" shall not be required to obtain a swimming pool/spa permit. Allen County Swimming Pool Ordinance.

To obtain a permit, you may visit the Department of Health located on the third floor of Citizens Square (Suite 360, 200 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana). All of the applications, rules/ordinances, and forms/logs are located on our Web site at www.allencountyhealth.com. On the front page of this Web site:

1. Click "Divisions" in the header bar.
    
2. Next, click "Environmental Services."
    
3. Click "Pollution Control" on the next page that appears.
    
4. Then click "Swimming pool and spa."

A swimming pool permit application can be accessed directly at Swimming Pool Permit Application.

A swimming pool log sheet can be accessed directly at Swimming Pool Testing Log Sheet.

Please visit www.allencountyhealth.com. Alternatively, you can access the Allen County regulations regarding public pools and spas at:

Allen County Swimming Pool Ordinance

For the State regulations visit:

Indiana Swimming Pools Rule

Entrance improvements are based on the Access Standards Manual Requirements. You can view the Access Standards Manual at www.nircc.com/publications/htm.

Right-of-way is required for road improvements necessitated by your development.

Permit costs vary upon review, type of road, type of permit, and possible lane improvements. Call the Allen County Highway Department at 260-449-7369 for more information about what permit fees from this department may apply to your project.

If the threshold guidelines are met or exceeded, a traffic study is required. The Access Standards Manual and INDOT Specifications outline the threshold guidelines the Allen County Highway Department uses to determine whether a traffic study is necessary. Call the Allen County Highway Department at 260-449-7369 for more information about whether a traffic study is required for your project.

You can get more information about traffic counts from the Northeastern Indiana Regional Coordinating Council (NIRCC). Visit NIRCC's Web site at http://www.nircc.com/ or call them at 260-449-7309.

Most construction standards can be found in the Allen County Highway Specifications and Standards book.

Permits are required any time there is work being done within City right-of-way to ensure that all construction and restoration is completed per City of Fort Wayne standards. To gain a better understanding of permits and permit functions that are addressed by the Right of Way Department, please see http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/publicworks/types-of-permits.html

All permits issued by the Right of Way Department can be obtained by electronic application, with payment made via a credit card. For contractors or utility companies that apply for multiple permits over the course of a month, invoicing can be established, if authorized. To apply online, please navigate to https://citizenaccess.acfw.net/citizenaccess.

The time required to issue a permit in part depends on the type of permit requested.  Some permits such as Public Assembly Permits require 30 days advance notice.  Excavation permits typically can be issued within two days or less.  Barricade permit applications to close or restrict certain streets must be received at least 48 hours in advance of the need.  Access permit approvals can vary from one day to one week, depending on factors that determine whether the application is routed through other departments besides the Right of Way Department.

Multiple factors determine the requirements for your driveway, but the material most often depends on whether a curb exists and the type of material of the street.  Generally, concrete drive approaches are required to access any street with a concrete or sandstone curb.  For streets without curbs, asphalt (and sometimes stone) is acceptable.  These general rules may or may not be applicable depending on specific locations.

Radii are the extended areas on each side of driveway that allow vehicles to enter and exit the drive without encroaching on the curb, sidewalk, or park strip.  Please refer to http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/publicworks/transportation-engineering-services/construction-standard-details/234-typical-residential-drive-approach-details.html  for typical radii dimensions.

Sidewalk requirements may vary depending on a number of factors. A typical sidewalk is 5' wide except where the sidewalk abuts a curb.  Refer to http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/publicworks/transportation-engineering-services/construction-standard-details/234-typical-residential-drive-approach-details.html for typical sidewalk details.

A barricade permit is used to allow the temporary use of a portion of the public right-of-way for private purposes specific to the applicant and to the applicant's purpose.  Barricade permits are necessary whenever streets, sidewalks, and alleys need to be closed or restricted so that safe passage past the temporary obstruction can be ensured and so that notification to the public can be provided.

Fort Wayne, Indiana, Code of Ordinances, Chapter 99 contains a short list of approved street tree species. Appendix A of Shading Our City – Urban Tree Management Plan contains a comprehensive list. Other proposed varieties may be used with written permission from City of Fort Wayne Manager of Forestry Operations.

Allen County Recorder's Office keeps copies of surveys if they are recorded. The Recorder's Office phone number is 260-449-7165. The Allen County Surveyor's Office has a limited number of surveys on file.  No county ordinance has been passed to allow for or require filing of surveys at Allen County Surveyor's Office.

Your mortgage company or title company may have a copy of it, or you could have a copy of it with your closing papers from when you purchased the property.  If you can determine which surveyor performed the survey for your property, he or she should also have a copy of it.

There are no laws or regulations that state you have to keep a certain distance from the property line or that you cannot put a fence right on the line. However, you may want to check your subdivision covenants to identify any restrictions on fence placement. You may also want to contact the Department of Planning Services (260-449-7607) for any particular zoning or land use issues.

In any case, keep in mind that if you put the fence right on the line you will not be able to repair or paint it without crossing onto your neighbor's property.  It is highly recommended that you, as the property owner, commission a land surveyor to delineate your land boundaries in accordance with IAC Title 865 prior to constructing a fence line on your property.

The collection and dispersion of rainwater on an adjacent downstream property can be a difficult situation when looking for joint resolution. Indiana law does not specifically disallow the practice. I.C. 36-9-27-69.5(c)(1) calls for the upstream landowner to "maintain the amount of drainage through the tract that existed when the tract was created."  This would take civil action to enforce.  The Surveyor's Office tries to advise people to work with their neighbors and direct water to appointed drainage swales, usually routing water to the back of the property or some other acceptable means depending on the circumstances and layout of the property.

None of your real estate property taxes supports maintaining county drains.  Most county-regulated drains that the Allen County Surveyor's Office maintains have their own periodic maintenance funds that collect from everyone in the watershed who benefits from that drain. This is called a drain assessment.

Everyone’s ground is part of a drainage watershed and every watershed eventually flows to a nearby tile, stream, river, lake, or ocean. Everyone who benefits from the drain that their watershed flows to gets assessed. Whether the ditch is on your property or not, the excess rainwater runoff from your property eventually flows to a nearby drain conveyance, which may require county maintenance and upkeep and hence an accompanying drain assessment.

County drains have "periodic maintenance," which means they are only billed periodically. The billing cycle depends upon whether work has been done on the drain that required money to be spent from the fund.  By law, the Allen County Surveyor's Office can only keep a certain amount of money in the fund for that particular drain. That amount is determined when the drain is approved as a county regulated drain.

The Drainage Board schedule is posted on the county Web site at http://www.allencounty.us/drainage-board/drainage-board-agenda.

For areas in unincorporated Allen County and areas served by agreement or co-permittee, the Allen County Surveyor's Office requires the submittal and approval of a pond permit for the construction of any private pond that will be greater than 1000 square feet in surface area and is not regulated as a retention or detention pond (retention and detention ponds have their own set of standards). Additionally, a permit is required for any existing pond that is having its surface area increased by more than 1000 square feet.

For more information concerning private pond permit submittal requirements, please click on the following link: http://www.allencounty.us/private-pond-permit-requirements

The Allen County Stormwater Management Ordinance Fee Schedule is on the county Web site at the following location: http://www.allencounty.us/images/surveyors_office/pdfs/Approved__Signed_Fee_Schedule.pdf.

No. The potable water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities are owned and operated by the City of Fort Wayne, except in portions of Aboite Township. Other utilities such as electric, natural gas, cable, and phone are privately owned; providers of each of these services vary throughout the city.

City Utilities' Development Criteria Standards Manual can be found on the City of Fort Wayne Web site. You can access the Development Criteria Standards Manual at the following location: http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/utilities/resources/development-standardcriteria-manual.html.

No, not at this time.

Yes, City Utilities staff will confidentially discuss planned projects at the concept or preliminary stage with owners and their representatives. Please call the Development Services office at 260-427-5064 to make an appointment.