Home Business in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
5 verified home business rules for Indianapolis, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Zoning Restrictions
Indianapolis allows home occupations as an accessory use in residential dwelling districts so long as the dwelling stays primarily residential and the business is clearly incidental and subordinate to it. No more than 600 square feet or 30% of the dwelling's total floor area, whichever is less, may be used for the home occupation, and no exterior changes to the home's residential appearance are allowed.
Home occupations: 600 sq ft / 30% limit
Some RestrictionsThe Zoning Ordinance of Indianapolis-Marion County, Chapter 743, Sec. 743-306.K (Home Occupations)
K. Home Occupations 1. The primary use of the dwelling unit shall remain residential. 2. The dwelling unit shall not be a mobile dwelling unit. 3. The operator of the home occupation shall make the dwelling unit within which the home occupation is conducted his legal and primary place of residence, and shall also carry out more of the activities such as sleeping, eating, entertaining and other ...
Signage Rules
A home occupation in Indianapolis may have no display of goods or external evidence of the business other than a single window or wall sign not exceeding 2 square feet in area. No freestanding, illuminated, or larger signs are permitted for a residential home occupation.
One window/wall sign, max 2 square feet
Heavy RestrictionsThe Zoning Ordinance of Indianapolis-Marion County, Chapter 743, Sec. 743-306.K.10
10. No display of goods or external evidence of the home occupation shall be permitted other than one window or wall sign not exceeding 2 square feet in area.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
A home occupation in Indianapolis may not regularly attract more than 4 individuals onto the premises simultaneously for business reasons, and may not generate significantly more traffic than normal for the residential area. Only residents of the dwelling plus up to 2 nonresident assistants (capped at 45 hours per week each) may work in the business.
Max 4 visitors at once; 2 nonresident helpers
Some RestrictionsThe Zoning Ordinance of Indianapolis-Marion County, Chapter 743, Sec. 743-306.K.9 and K.15
9. The home occupation shall not regularly attract more than 4 individuals simultaneously onto the premises for reasons related to the home occupation and shall not generate significantly greater traffic volume than would normally be expected in the residential area in which the home occupation is conducted. ... 15. No one may participate in or assist with the conduct or operation of a home occ...
Cottage Food Operations
Indianapolis's Zoning Ordinance lists 'home based food production or brewing of alcoholic beverages for sale' as a use that is not permitted as a home occupation. Indiana's Home Based Vendor law (IC 16-42-5.3), however, exempts qualifying cottage-food vendors from food-establishment requirements and bars any local unit from requiring licensure, certification, or inspection of their food products.
City bars home food sales; state law preempts
Some RestrictionsIndiana Code 16-42-5.3-2 and 16-42-5.3-12 (Home Based Food Products); Zoning Ordinance Sec. 743-306.K.16.c
IC 16-42-5.3-2 Home based vendor. Sec. 2. A person may prepare and sell food products as a home based vendor if the person complies with the requirements of this chapter. ... IC 16-42-5.3-12 Prohibition on an ordinance or resolution requiring licensure, certification, or inspection. Sec. 12. Notwithstanding any other law, a local unit of government (as defined in IC 14-22-31.5-1) may not by ord...
Home Occupation Permits
Indianapolis does not require a discretionary home-occupation permit; a home occupation is allowed by right as an accessory use if it meets every standard in Section 743-306.K. Operations may not run between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. and must comply with the performance standards in Section 740-401.B. A use that cannot meet the standards needs a variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals.
No special permit; hours and use standards apply
Some RestrictionsThe Zoning Ordinance of Indianapolis-Marion County, Chapter 743, Sec. 743-306.K.17-19
17. Permitted home occupations shall not operate between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. 18. Permitted home occupations shall comply with all performance standards set forth in Section 740-401.B. 19. For purposes of the Zoning Ordinance, a child care home shall be considered an accessory use, and not a home occupation.
Looking for Marion County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Indianapolis city rules.
Home Business in Marion County →