Evansville, IN Building Safety: Scaffold & Sidewalk Shed (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- building demolition/wrecking sites
- Standard
- scaffolds, chutes, derricks, hoists must be safe
- Permit
- required from Building Commissioner
- Stop-work power
- Building Commissioner, for unsafe methods
- Section
- EMC 15.25.080(B)
Summary
Evansville's wrecking-and-repair chapter requires that chutes, scaffolds, derricks, and hoists used on a demolition site be strong, substantial, and safe, and bars wrecking methods that create undue hazard to workers or the public.
The methods to be used in wrecking shall not involve undue hazards to the public or unnecessary danger to the workmen and shall be in accordance with good practice. Suitable provisions shall be made for the disposal of materials which are accumulated during the wrecking operations. No part of the structure shall be overloaded by excessive storage of materials or debris. Chutes, scaffolds, derricks, and hoists shall be strong, substantial, and safe for the purpose for which they are intended. Materials which in their removal would cause an excessive amount of dust shall be well wet down to prevent the creation of a nuisance. No open fires or other sources of flame except necessary cutting torches shall be used in the inside of the building being wrecked, nor in close proximity to inflammable materials outside of the buildings, and every precaution shall be taken to prevent the possibility of fire.
(C) The requirements of this section shall be the minimum requirements for average conditions and, in the case of unusual or dangerous situations, adequate provisions shall be made and every precaution taken to protect the safety of the public and workmen.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance G-2026-12, passed June 22, 2026).
Full Breakdown
EMC 15.25.080(B), in the City's wrecking-and-extensive-repair chapter, sets the safety standard for scaffolding and related demolition equipment: the structure can't be overloaded with debris, and chutes, scaffolds, derricks, and hoists must be strong, substantial, and safe for their purpose. This is a demolition-site rule, not a general construction standard, everyday building-site scaffolding in Evansville is governed by the state-adopted Indiana Building Code, not a city ordinance. A wrecking permit from the Building Commissioner is required first, and protective fences, barricades, or sidewalk bridges must go up under EMC 15.25.040 through 15.25.060 before work starts.
Violations & Fines
The Building Commissioner can stop wrecking work performed in a 'reckless, careless, or unsafe manner' under EMC 15.25.080(D), and the permit holder is liable for its own acts and those of its subcontractors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Evansville have a scaffold rule for demolition sites?
Is general construction scaffolding covered by this Evansville ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evansville
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