The online transaction fee collected in addition to the Permit fee is:

1. 2.5% of the Permit Fee, or
2. $1.49 - which ever one is greater

The transaction fee is collected by the payment gateway vendor.

These may be the reasons why Parcel Number is being rejected:

1. The Parcel Number you entered is invalid
2. The address you entered is invalid
3. The property is too new to be registered in the County property tax management system
4. The property is located in incorporated part of the County. It must end with one of the following: "001", "002", "007", "012", "013", "016", "028", "032", "037", "041", "044", "055"

Use Property Lookup tool to retrieve correct Parcel Number using Owner Name, Property Address or Property Key.

Currently, you may request Survey Approval letter by contacting the Survey Department via email by clicking HERE.

The construction agreement form will need to be filled out for all new site plans. This form should be turned in with the survey at time of application.
For the foundation & as-built, all they need is their survey & permit number with information for return if other than the e-mail the request came in on.

You may replace any uploaded document as long as your request is in Draft state. Once you submit your request and it's Pending, you may no longer replace it. Use the "Ask Question" option to request assistance with document replacements.

First time users should start here:

https://permits.lakecountyin.org/Account/Disclaimer

Yes, you may apply online of you perform the work yourself. Yo will need to check the box(es) next to appropriate work type(s) on the online form and upload the Owner Affidavit.

NOTE: Single notarized Owner Affidavit document must be uploaded AFTER you submit the form. Simply click Manage Attachments for the request in question and then upload "Owners Permit Affidavit" required attachment.

Only Lake County licensed contractors in good standing will be listed. If particular contractor is not found in the search, it usually means that they:

1. Did not renew their license, and/or
2. Did not update their Insurance, and/or
3. Did not update their Bond

You will not be able to file online (or in person) unless a contractor you use is in good standing.

The $4.49 Filing Fee was approved via County Ordinance to cover the cost of maintaining the online building application filing system. Portion of this fee ($1.49) is collected by the payment gateway vendor.

First time users should start here: https://permits.lakecountyin.org/Account/Renewal

Currently, you may only create a single account per license.

Currently, each license requires a separate account with unique email address.

Your current license number should be listed on the receipt issued when you paid your license fee or your last renewal fee. Note that this number changes every year so use the most recent one.

If you don't have the receipt, please contact the Building Department at 219-755-3700.

During the sign up, make sure to review the information displayed after providing your license number. Do not proceed with signing up if the information displayed is incorrect or if you get invalid license number error message.

If you proceed without specifying valid license number, your account will not be properly associated with our contractor records and you will not be able to renew online.

No, only the Renewal Application form downloaded from your Contractor Dashboard will be accepted. The downloaded form has all your current information pre-filled.

If any of this information changed (for example, the applicant name), you may not renew your license online.

If your license has expired more than 5 years ago, you may not renew online. You will have to re-apply for a new license.

More information is available by going to the following link: https://lakecounty.in.gov/departments/planning-commission/building-department-forms-c/forms/?f=/departments/planning-commission/building-department-forms-c/forms/Contractor_Licensing_Packet.pdf#view=Fit

The license renewal cost is $75 per year. You will be charged $75 for every year the license was in expired state.

The payment processor (not the agency) charges 2.5% or $1.49, whichever is greater, transaction fee on all online license renewal fees paid.

If you don't want to incur the transaction fee, you may download a blank Renewal Application, complete it, have it notarized and then bring it in or mail it to the Building Department. If mailed, please enclose a check for total amount due. If in person, you may use check or cash.

The blank form can be downloaded here: https://lakecounty.in.gov/departments/planning-commission/contractor-licensing/ 

Note that the blank form cannot be used for online renewals.

Next year renewals are accepted on or after December 1st of each year.

If you license is expired, you may renew at any time.

If you renew expired license before December 1st, your new license will be valid until the end of current year and you will have to renew again after December 1st for the next year. 

If you renew expired license after December 1st, you will have the opportunity to renew for next year in a single transaction. For example, if you owe $75 to get your license current, total amount due will be $150 (current year + next year).

If your business location has changed, you may still apply online but you will need your local zoning board complete the Section 4 of the downloaded Renewal Application.

If the name of the license holder changed, you may NOT renew online. You will have to re-apply for a new license.

More information is available by going to the following link: https://lakecounty.in.gov/departments/planning-commission/building-department-forms-c/forms/?f=/departments/planning-commission/building-department-forms-c/forms/Contractor_Licensing_Packet.pdf#view=Fit

This link will be ALWAYS available if your license is expired. If your license is still valid, the link becomes available ON or AFTER December 1st of each year.

Bond/insurance information can be updated:

• if expired, or
• within 60 days of expiration

You will not be able to update the information if the certificate is still valid for 60 or more days.

Yes, bond/insurance information can be updated online using the contractor dashboard (free registration required).

*THIS FUNCTIONALITY IS COMING SOON!

If you were in good standing before the update, it usually means that the information you just provided has not yet been verified.

Here's a complete list of reasons for not being a contractor in good standing:

• Expired bond or insurance certificate
• Unverified bond or insurance certificate
• Expired contractor license

The following are the requirements:

• Bond/insurance certificate must be recorded with Lake County Recorder's Office
• Legible copy of the certificate in PDF format
• Free online contractor dashboard account (https://permits.lakecountyin.gov/Account/Signup)