Building Safety in Fort Wayne, IN (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Fort Wayne, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Lead Paint
Fort Wayne enforces federal EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule requiring EPA-certified firms for work on pre-1978 housing. Indiana operates its own EPA-authorized lead program under 410 IAC 29.
Building Safety: Lead Paint
Heavy RestrictionsEPA Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule
EPA's RRP Rule requires that anyone paid to perform work that disturbs painted surfaces in homes, childcare facilities and preschools built before 1978 be certified and their employees be trained (either as a certified renovator or on-the-job by a certified renovator) in the use of lead-safe work practices that minimize occupants' exposure to lead hazards. In general, the RRP Rule does not appl...
Elevator Maintenance
Fort Wayne's commercial property maintenance code requires elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters to stay in proper working order under state regulations, with current inspection certificates posted, and mandates that at least one elevator run whenever an occupied building is open.
Fort Wayne Commercial Elevator Maintenance
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 150.08(G)
Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained in proper working order in compliance with state regulations. The most current certification of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter. ... In buildings equipped with passenger elevators, at least one elevator shall be maintained in operation at all times when the buildi...
Childcare Center Rules
Fort Wayne law requires every boarding home, day care nursery, or child caring institution to keep at least one CPR-certified child care provider on duty at all times, with certification displayed at the entrance.
Fort Wayne Child Care CPR Certification
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 95.16
It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, corporation, association or political subdivision to operate or maintain or conduct a boarding home for children, day care nursery, children's home or child caring institution without retaining at least one child care provider, on duty at all times, who has been certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by a certified instructor in such program. N...
Door Locking Hardware
Fort Wayne dwellings must have working locks on every exterior door, window, and basement hatchway, and any door besides a marked exit with a deadbolt must open without a key from the inside.
Fort Wayne Door Locking Hardware Requirements
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 152.04(D)(15)(a)
Doors, windows or hatchways for a structure shall be provided with devices designed to provide security for the occupants and property within. All such devices shall be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications and maintained in good working order. (a) Exterior door hardware. Doors providing access to a structure other than marked exit doors equipped with a deadbolt lock shall be...
Building Permits
Before any new building in Fort Wayne can be occupied, both the Building Department and the Fire Department must sign off on the Certificate of Occupancy following a final inspection under Fire Prevention Code § 94.14.
Fort Wayne Certificate of Occupancy Sign-Off
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 94.14(C)
A Certificate of Occupancy must be obtained from the Building Department. This certificate must be signed by both the Building Department and the Fire Department, after a final inspection of the building or structure is made. Issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy shall not be construed as an approval of any violation of the provisions of this code or of other ordinances of the city or of rules...
Building Inspections
Fort Wayne's Code Official inspects housing and buildings on probable cause or owner consent, and can seek a court inspection warrant if access is refused.
Fort Wayne Building Inspection Authority
Some RestrictionsFort Wayne Code of Ordinances § 152.14(C)
(C) Provisions for inspection authority. The Code Official shall inspect any premises or structures as defined in this chapter based on the Department of Neighborhood Code Compliance's standard operating procedures... (1) The Enforcement Authority is authorized and directed to make inspections where probable cause exists or with consent of the owner, agent or occupant... (b) ... the Enforcement...
Looking for Allen County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Wayne city rules.
Building Safety in Allen County →