New Palestine, McCordsville, Greenfield, Fortville and the east side of the metro. Both towns we've profiled put patios on their permit lists, and the soil is some of the wettest in the area.
Towns we serve in Hancock County
- New PalestinePaver Patios guide
- McCordsvillePaver Patios guide
- GreenfieldCovered on this page
- FortvilleCovered on this page
- CumberlandCovered on this page
- ShirleyCovered on this page
- WilkinsonCovered on this page
Permit rules at a glance
Both New Palestine and McCordsville require a permit for a new patio1,2.
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- New Palestine: the Town has a combined "Gazebo – Fence – Patio – Driveway" permit application, and its zoning ordinance requires an Improvement Location Permit for any structure or improvement1,5.
- McCordsville: an Accessory Structure Permit is required for patios, decks, pergolas and similar projects; structures under 200 sq ft are exempt unless they have a permanent foundation2.
- Greenfield, Fortville, Cumberland, Shirley, Wilkinson and unincorporated areas: we haven't published town-specific guidance yet. Contact your city or town hall, or the county planning office, to confirm.
Ground conditions in Hancock County
Hancock County is flat, wet glacial till country.
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A soil study of the county found the Crosby–Brookston association covers about 72% of it and Miami–Crosby another 17%6; the USDA survey shows Crosby (about 40%) and Brookston (about 31%) by mapped acreage3. Purdue Extension describes Crosby as somewhat poorly drained and Brookston as poorly drained, in depressions7. For patios, plan on a deep compacted base and a clear drainage path, and in low spots ask about a drain.
Indiana's residential code lists a 30-inch frost depth for Hancock County, which applies to footings for pergolas, seat walls, fireplaces and outdoor kitchens4.
