Accessory Structures in Bloomington, IN (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Bloomington, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
In the City of Bloomington, an accessory dwelling unit is limited to one per lot, capped at two bedrooms, and restricted to eight hundred forty square feet whether attached or detached, and the owner has to occupy either the primary dwelling or the ADU under the Unified Development Ordinance's ADU standard.
Bloomington Accessory Dwelling Unit Rules
Some RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 20.03.030(g)(5)
(5)Dwelling, Accessory Unit.(A)Purpose. These accessory dwelling unit ("ADU") standards are intended to permit the creation of legal ADUs that are compatible with residential neighborhoods while also adding housing options for the City's workforce, seniors, families with changing needs, and others for whom ADUs present an affordable housing option.(B)Generally.i.This use shall be accessory to a...
ADU Owner Occupancy
An accessory dwelling unit in the City of Bloomington only gets zoning approval if the owner actually lives on the property. Section 20.03.030(g)(5)(G) requires either the primary house or the ADU to be owner-occupied, backed by an affidavit filed with the Planning and Transportation Department, and subsection (H) makes the petitioner record a deed restriction with the Monroe County Recorder before Planning ever issues a building permit.
Bloomington ADU Owner-Occupancy Requirement
Significant RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 20.03.030(g)(5)(G)-(H)
(G)Owner Occupancy.i.ADUs shall only be permitted on a property where either the primary dwelling unit or the ADU is occupied by the owner of the property.ii.The owner of each property on which an ADU is located shall sign an affidavit pledging agreement with the terms of this section. The affidavit shall specify which dwelling unit (either the primary dwelling unit or the ADU) the owner will o...
ADU Rental Restrictions
In the City of Bloomington an accessory dwelling unit rented out must register with Housing and Neighborhood Development and be certified before occupancy, and the property owner must record a deed restriction barring separate sale of the ADU under Bloomington Municipal Code Section 20.03.030(g)(5).
Bloomington ADU Rental Registration Rules
Significant RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 20.03.030(g)(5)(G), (H)
(G)Owner Occupancy.i.ADUs shall only be permitted on a property where either the primary dwelling unit or the ADU is occupied by the owner of the property. ... iii.Any primary dwelling or ADU used as a rental unit shall register with the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) and receive appropriate certification prior to occupancy.(H)Recorded Documents.i.Prior to receiving a...
Shed & Carport Rules
In the City of Bloomington, the Unified Development Ordinance caps how big a shed or other accessory structure can be by zoning district. Under Section 20.03.030(g)(1)(E), Table 03-4 sets the maximum cumulative footprint at 1,000 square feet (or half the primary house, whichever is less) in R1, 840 square feet in R2, 580 in R3, and 400 in R4, with a 35-foot front and 5-foot side/rear setback.
Bloomington Shed and Accessory Structure Size Limits
Some RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code § 20.03.030(g)(1)(A), (E)-(G)
(A)Compliance Required. Accessory structures shall comply with all dimensional and development standards for the subject zoning district regardless of whether a temporary use permit or certificate of zoning compliance is required. ... (E)Number and Size Permitted. The maximum number (per lot or parcel) and maximum footprint (cumulative total per parcel) of enclosed accessory structures permitte...
Tiny Homes
The City of Bloomington's Unified Development Ordinance allows tiny homes only inside a permitted 'cottage development': a cluster of at least five small single-family homes under 500 square feet that must have their wheels removed, sit on a permanent foundation, and connect to City water, sewer and electric service. Cottage developments are capped at 1,200 square feet per unit and must meet Section 20.03.030(b)(7)'s density, setback and open-space standards for the zoning district.
Tiny Homes as Cottage Development in Bloomington
Some RestrictionsBloomington Municipal Code §§ 20.03.030(b)(7), 20.07.010
(A)Ownership. Individual cottage lots or portions of the project may not be subdivided for sale. ... Zoning District Maximum Density (dwelling units/acre) Minimum Project Size Maximum Project Size R1 3 1 acre 2 acres ... iii.Each unit shall have a maximum cumulative area of one thousand two hundred square feet ... commonly referred to as tiny homes, provided that each home meets either the Indi...