Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
3 verified sidewalk & pedestrian rules for Indianapolis, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
Contrary to the rule in many cities, Indianapolis Code Sec. 645-605 puts the duty to inspect and repair public sidewalks on city government, not the abutting property owner. The division of construction and business services inspects, the department of public works repairs, and police and firefighters must report any defect they spot to the city traffic captain.
Indianapolis, Not Owners, Must Repair Sidewalks
Few RestrictionsIndianapolis/Marion County Revised Code Sec. 645-605(a) (Code 1975, § 28-280)
(a)The division of construction and business services of the department of business and neighborhood services shall inspect the streets, sidewalks and public places of the city, and the department of public works shall repair and maintain the streets, sidewalks and public places of the city in a reasonably safe condition so far as the extent thereof and the facilities available therefor render ...
Obstruction Rules
Indianapolis bars anyone from obstructing a street, alley, sidewalk, crosswalk or public place without a permit under Revised Code Sec. 645-513. A business may occupy no more than 4 feet of a sidewalk's outer edge, or one-fourth the width of a narrower walk, with merchandise, and goods left too long must come off within six hours of a police officer's notice.
Indianapolis Sidewalk Obstruction Requires a Permit
Some RestrictionsIndianapolis/Marion County Revised Code Sec. 645-513 (Code 1975, § 28-195)
It shall be unlawful for any person, without a permit therefor issued pursuant to this article or other provision of this Code, to obstruct or use for himself or anyone else any street, alley, boulevard, sidewalk, crosswalk or public place in the city, or any portion thereof, other than temporarily and as may be reasonably necessary for the proper use of the abutting premises owned or controlle...
Encroachment Permits
Indianapolis requires a written license from the division of construction and business services before anyone may maintain an encroachment, defined as an inanimate object intruding on the public right-of-way, under Revised Code Sec. 645-573. Licenses run up to 20 years, denials can be appealed within 30 days, and the city can terminate a license at any time and force removal within 60 days.
Indianapolis Encroachment License Required
Significant RestrictionsIndianapolis/Marion County Revised Code Sec. 645-573 (Code 1975, § 28-253)
Encroachment means an intrusion by an inanimate object on, under, over, or upon the public right-of-way... No person shall maintain any encroachment without first: (1) Having received a written license document therefor from the division of construction and business services in accordance with the provisions of this division; or (2) Complying with the provisions of section 645-581 for a license...