Accessory Structures in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
5 verified accessory structures rules for Indianapolis, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Indianapolis-Marion County's Consolidated Zoning Ordinance permits one secondary dwelling unit (ADU) per single-family detached lot, capped at 720 square feet, with an owner-occupancy requirement and one additional off-street parking space.
Indianapolis Secondary Dwelling Unit Rules (Sec. 743-306-EE)
Some RestrictionsIndianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 743, Art. III, Sec. 06, Sec. 743-306-EE (Secondary Dwelling Unit) (eff. April 1, 2016)
EE. Secondary Dwelling Unit 1. Limited to one secondary dwelling unit per lot per single-family detached dwelling. 2. Secondary dwelling unit that is detached from the primary structure shall count toward the total allowable square footage allocated for accessory buildings unless it is above an existing detached accessory building. 3. In the Compact Context Area, a secondary dwelling unit can o...
Shed Rules
Indianapolis defines a shed (mini-barn) as a minor residential structure and requires it to sit at least 5 feet from the rear lot line, meet the district's front and side setbacks, be smaller in footprint than the house, and stay shorter than the primary building.
Indianapolis Shed and Accessory Setbacks (743-306-A)
Some RestrictionsIndianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 743, Art. III, Sec. 06, Sec. 743-306-A (General Conditions in the Dwelling Districts) (eff. April 1, 2016)
2. Accessory buildings and minor residential structures in all dwelling districts shall comply with the following requirements: a. The horizontal land area covered by the primary building and all accessory buildings and all game courts and all minor residential structures must cumulatively meet the required open space requirement of the district. b. The horizontal land area covered by any one a...
Garage Conversions
Indianapolis does not have a standalone garage-conversion ordinance; converting a garage to a secondary dwelling unit is governed by the secondary dwelling unit standards (Sec. 743-306-EE), and a unit built above a detached garage does not count against the accessory-building square footage cap.
Indianapolis Garage Conversions and Units Above Garages
Some RestrictionsIndianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 743, Art. III, Sec. 06, Sec. 743-306-EE(2),(3),(5) (eff. April 1, 2016)
2. Secondary dwelling unit that is detached from the primary structure shall count toward the total allowable square footage allocated for accessory buildings unless it is above an existing detached accessory building. 3. In the Compact Context Area, a secondary dwelling unit can only be separate from the primary building within a permitted accessory building. 5. The maximum size of a secondary...
Carport Rules
Indianapolis-Marion County regulates carports as accessory structures under the 2016 Consolidated Zoning Ordinance, particularly Chapter 743 (Uses and Use-Specific Standards) and Chapter 744 (Development Standards). Detached accessory structures must be located in a side or rear yard, meet the underlying dwelling district's setbacks, and remain within accessory-structure height limits typically capped at 15 feet. Building permits are administered by the Marion County Building Department under Title III, Chapter 536.
Carport Rules in Indianapolis
Some RestrictionsTiny Homes
Marion County permits tiny homes as long as they comply with the Indiana Residential Code; under Rev. Code Ch. 744 they require a permanent foundation, full utility hookups, and approved residential zoning.
Indianapolis Tiny Home Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Marion County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Indianapolis city rules.
Accessory Structures in Marion County →