Building Safety in Lafayette, IN (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Lafayette, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Door Locking Hardware
In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, every door into a rented dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit must carry a deadbolt lock under the city's Property Maintenance Code. The deadbolt must open from the inside without a key, tool or special knowledge and have a throw of at least 1 inch. A sliding bolt does not satisfy the requirement, and the Building Commissioner enforces the standard citywide.
Lafayette Rental Unit Deadbolt Lock Rule
Some RestrictionsLafayette Municipal Code § 13.03.010 (IPMC § 304.18.1)
304.18 Building security. Doors, windows or hatchways for dwelling units, room units or housekeeping units shall be provided with devices designed to provide security for the occupants and property within. ... 304.18.1 Doors. Doors providing access to an individual dwelling unit, rooming unit or housekeeping unit that is rented, leased or let shall be where equipped with a deadbolt lock, the de...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, every dwelling must have a working carbon monoxide alarm within or near each separate sleeping area and on every level, under IPMC § 705.1, adopted at Lafayette Municipal Code § 13.03.010. Alarms and detection systems must be tested annually and replaced once they go inoperable or begin an end-of-life signal, per § 705.2.
Lafayette Carbon Monoxide Alarm Mandate
Some RestrictionsLafayette Municipal Code § 13.03.010 (IPMC §§ 705.1, 705.2)
705.1 General. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in dwellings within or near each separate sleeping area and on each level of a dwelling. ... 705.2 Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detection systems shall be maintained and tested annually. Carbon monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors that become inoperable or begin producing end-of...
Building Permits
Lafayette requires an improvement location permit before erecting, altering or removing any building, sign or structure, issued by the City Engineer under § 13.01.060. Fees start at $200 for new single-family construction, permits expire after 120 days without work starting, and violations draw fines up to $1,000 per day.
Lafayette Improvement Location Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsLafayette Municipal Code § 13.01.060
A.Permits Required.1.Improvement Location Permit. It is unlawful for any person to erect, repair, change, alter or remove any building, billboard, sign or other structure within the city without first obtaining an improvement location permit if such improvement location permit is required under the building rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission. ... K.Expiration. E...
Electrical Permits
In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, wiring a building for electric current requires a permit from the City Engineer before work starts, under Section 13.02.040(A). The filing fee is $50.00 for single-family and duplex residential wiring and $200.00 for multifamily, commercial, or industrial work, and all wiring must meet the Indiana Electrical Code.
Lafayette, Indiana Electrical Wiring Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsLafayette Municipal Code §§ 13.02.010, 13.02.040
A.Before the wiring of any building within the city for the transmission of electric current is done, the person doing such work shall first obtain a permit therefor.B.Application for the permit required by subsection A of this section shall be in writing on blanks provided for the purpose, and filed with the City Engineer. ... D.The filing fee for an electric only permit shall be: Single famil...
Plumbing Permits
In the City of Lafayette, Indiana, the City Engineer cannot issue a plumbing permit unless the person doing the work holds a valid state plumbing license, under Section 13.01.060(D). Plumbing contractors not already bonded to the city must also post a $1,000.00 surety bond, and the work itself must follow the Indiana Plumbing Code adopted at Section 13.01.050(A)(3).
Lafayette, Indiana Plumbing Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsLafayette Municipal Code §§ 13.01.050(A)(3), 13.01.060(C)(2), 13.01.060(D)
3.Article 16—Plumbing Codes.a.Indiana Plumbing Code. ... A.Permits Required.1.Improvement Location Permit. It is unlawful for any person to erect, repair, change, alter or remove any building, billboard, sign or other structure within the city without first obtaining an improvement location permit if such improvement location permit is required under the building rules of the Indiana Fire Preve...
Building Inspections
The City of Lafayette's City Engineer inspects every construction, alteration, and repair project for Building Code compliance under Section 13.01.090, entering sites during daylight hours with proper credentials. The first inspection and first re-inspection are free, but a third trip after a failed inspection costs $100.00, and every inspection after that runs $200.00.
Lafayette, Indiana Building Inspection Fee Schedule
Some RestrictionsLafayette Municipal Code § 13.01.090
A.The City Engineer and the Engineer's authorized representatives are jointly and severally authorized to make inspections of construction, alteration and repair of buildings and houses in the city to determine compliance with this chapter. For the purpose of making such inspections, the City Engineer and Engineer's authorized representatives, upon presentation of proper credentials, are jointl...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lafayette city rules.
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