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Environmental Public Health Home > Plan Review Section > Charter School Facilities Charter School Facilities

Charter school (school) facilities are subject to Rule 410 IAC 6-5.1 Sanitary Schoolhouse Rule. Prior to student occupancy the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) must approve the sanitary and physical facilities for the proposed school. The following is a summary of actions the school?s administration or their agent must complete:

Step 1: Site Surveys

Contact Mr. Dennis H. Ehlers of the Plan Review Section, ISDH at AC 317/233-7588 to arrange for a site inspection prior to student use or start of any site or building construction. The following information must be submitted to Mr. Ehlers at least one week prior to the site survey:

  1. The number of students,
  2. The grade level range,
  3. A map of the site,
  4. Site location or street address,
  5. Type of water and sewer (utility or well or septic system) serving the proposed charter school, and
  6. Name and telephone number and address of a contact person.

Unless the above information is provided to Mr. Ehlers, a site survey cannot be completed. Also, please note if the proposed new school will locate in an existing building, in addition to the site survey a new building inspection will be conducted.

If the proposed school is or will be served by either an onsite water supply system or commercial onsite wastewater disposal system, please contact Mr. Ehlers to discuss requirements for these onsite utilities.

Step 2: Plans and Specifications

If it is proposed to remodel an existing building or construct a new building then architect or engineer certified plans, drawn to scale, including site utilities, must be submitted to ISDH Plan Review Section for review and approval prior to construction. ISDH cannot approve occupancy of a school building if plans for construction are required to be submitted, but have not yet been approved.

An application for school construction permit can be obtained at www.in.gov/isdh/se.htm or you may contact ISDH Plan Review Section at AC 317/233-7177, and we will have one sent to you or your agent.

Step 3: School Occupancy Inspections

If the school is in all respects ready for occupancy please contact Mr. Ehlers to schedule an inspection. Since many schools request an occupancy inspection in early fall, Mr. Ehlers should be contacted at least fifteen work days ahead of the date of anticipated school opening so an inspection can be scheduled.

If during the occupancy inspection deficiencies are noted that require correction, then another inspection may be required, depending on the severity of the deficiencies. During the initial inspection you will be notified if a reinspection will have to be scheduled. In any case, all corrections must be addressed prior to student occupancy.

IF AT ANYTIME DURING THE APPROVAL PROCESS YOU OR YOUR AGENT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT MR. EHLERS AT AC 317/233-7588 or E-MAIL HIM AT dehlers@isdh.in.gov.