Marion County, IN Ordinances (2026)

Indianapolis property maintenance code (Rev. Code Ch. 575) applies to garage sales. Items must be removed from public view by sunset. Signs down within 24 hours.

Indianapolis enforces vacant lot maintenance under Rev. Code Chapter 531 (Nuisances) and Chapter 575 (Weeds). Grass over 9 inches is a violation. DBNS may abate and bill owner with lien for non-compliance.

Indianapolis requires trash and recycling carts to be stored out of public view between collection days under Rev. Code Chapter 881. Carts may be placed at the curb 12 hours before pickup and must be retrieved within 12 hours after.

Indianapolis requires property owners to clear sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall under Rev. Code §431-210. 36-inch clear path. Corner lots must clear ramps.

Property blight in Marion County is addressed by DBNS Code Enforcement and the Indianapolis Land Bank under Unigov. Vacant property registration required for non-owner-occupied properties vacant 90+ days. DBNS enforces compliance countywide.

Indianapolis-Marion County Code §407-201 restricts consumer fireworks discharge to specific dates and times only. Consumer fireworks are legal in Indiana (IC §22-11-14) but Marion County restricts timing significantly. Penalties: $100 first offense, $500 minimum second offense…

Marion County Code of Ordinances Sec. 591-421, together with Indiana Code Sec. 22-11-18-3.5, requires every dwelling unit in Indianapolis-Marion County to have a functional smoke detector outside each sleeping area, on every story (including basements and habitable attics)…

Marion County has no wildfire zone designations. The Unigov consolidated city-county area has minimal wildfire risk as an urbanized Midwest metro. No WUI (Wildland-Urban Interface) zones or defensible space requirements apply.

Marion County has no wildfire-urban interface brush clearance requirement. As an urban Midwest county under Unigov, no defensible space or brush clearance mandates apply to residential properties. Property owners must maintain yards free of flammable debris under general…

Campfires, fire pits, and chimineas are permitted as personal comfort fires in unincorporated Marion County. Prohibited materials (garbage, plastics) may not be burned. Fires must not create a nuisance.

Open burning in Indianapolis-Marion County is regulated by IDEM (IC §13-17-9) and local ordinance. Disposal burning of dried branches/limbs in a non-combustible container (mesh openings ≤1/4 inch) is allowed, kept 15+ ft from structures, attended at all times, extinguished by…

Indiana has no statewide solar access law protecting homeowners from HOA restrictions. HOAs in Marion County may impose aesthetic and placement rules including prohibitions, subject only to their own covenants and Indiana Code Article 32-25.5.

Indianapolis requires building and electrical permits for solar panel installations through DBNS. Residential rooftop solar is a permitted use in most zoning districts. Permits are processed under the Indiana Building Code and NEC.

Light trespass in Indianapolis is addressed through the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance glare standards and general nuisance provisions in Rev. Code Chapter 531. Residential properties must keep light spillover below 0.5 foot-candles at the property line.

Indianapolis-Marion County has no comprehensive dark-sky ordinance. Exterior lighting is regulated through the Consolidated Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (2016) requiring shielding for commercial and parking lot lighting to prevent glare onto residential properties.

Indianapolis requires building permits for all in-ground pools and above-ground pools over 24 inches deep. DBNS issues permits; inspections required under 675 IAC 14.

Marion County enforces the Indiana Residential Code pool barrier standard: 48-inch minimum barrier, self-closing/self-latching gates, latch 54 inches high, 4-inch ground gap max.

Above-ground pools in Marion County deeper than 24 inches require a building permit under the Indiana Residential Code. Barrier requirements apply. Walls 48+ inches may serve as barrier if access ladders are removable.

Hot tubs and spas in Marion County require an electrical permit for 240V circuit installation. Safety covers conforming to ASTM F1346 may satisfy barrier requirements per IRC Appendix G. GFCI protection is mandatory.

Indianapolis pools must comply with the federal VGB Act (anti-entrapment drain covers), GFCI electrical protection, and Indiana winterization practices. DBNS final inspection required.

Indianapolis Code Ch. 391 prohibits construction, demolition, alteration, or repair of buildings and excavation between 7 PM and 7 AM except with an emergency permit. Permits for nighttime/emergency work issued by Bureau of License and Permit Services for up to 3 days.

Indianapolis/Marion County allows gas and electric leaf blowers. No model-specific ban. Operation subject to Code of Ordinances Chapter 391 noise limits and construction-hour norms.

Indianapolis regulates amplified sound under Rev. Code Ch. 391. Sound permits required for outdoor amplified events on public property. Residential limits apply after 11 PM.

Indianapolis-Marion County noise ordinance (Chapter 391, Article III) prohibits loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise that disturbs others. Amplified sound or music that is plainly audible at 50 feet between 11 PM and 7 AM is prima facie evidence of a violation.

Barking dogs are addressed under Indianapolis Code Chapter 531 (Animals) and the general noise ordinance (Ch. 391). Excessive barking constitutes a public nuisance. Indianapolis Animal Care Services enforces. State law IC §15-20-1 applies for dangerous dog provisions.

Tree removal in Indianapolis governed by the Zoning Ordinance and Public Works requirements. Street trees require a permit from Indianapolis DPW. The city has a Tree Care and Preservation Ordinance for certain areas. Contact Indianapolis Urban Forestry for large tree removal.

Marion County permits artificial turf in residential yards without a specific permit. The Consolidated Zoning Ordinance does not restrict synthetic lawns in front yards. HOAs may impose restrictions. Drainage must comply with stormwater rules.

Indianapolis protects street trees under Rev. Code Ch. 905. Permit required from DPW Urban Forestry for any work on trees in the public right-of-way. Private yard trees unregulated.

Indiana has no restriction on rainwater harvesting. Indianapolis encourages rain barrels through DPW's CleanStream program with periodic rebates. Potable use needs plumbing permit.

Indianapolis-Marion County caps weeds and grass at 9 inches under Rev. Code Ch. 575 (Weed Control). Notice issued with 5-day correction before city mowing and lien.

Marion County has no native plant ordinance. The city-county encourages native plantings through the Keep Indianapolis Beautiful program and Indianapolis Parks initiatives. No residential mandate exists.

Indianapolis enforces weed abatement via Rev. Code Ch. 575 and Ch. 531 (nuisance). Noxious weeds and vegetation over 9 inches trigger notice and city-contracted mowing.

Marion County water is supplied by Citizens Water (Veolia). No mandatory outdoor watering restrictions apply in normal conditions. Voluntary conservation is requested during declared drought emergencies. Indianapolis-Marion County has a plentiful water supply from the White…

Indianapolis STR hosts must disclose parking in listings per Ch. 743. Off-street parking is required where available. Street parking follows Rev. Code Ch. 621 residential limits.

Indianapolis STRs must comply with Rev. Code Ch. 391 and STR-specific conditions in Ch. 743. Host must respond to complaints within 1 hour. Repeat violations jeopardize registration.

Indianapolis short-term rentals are limited to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional, with a hard cap set by the STR permit, under Rev. Code Chapter 807. Permit holders must publish accurate occupancy on listings.

Marion County's consolidated city-county short-term rental program (Code of Ordinances Chapter 852, adopted by City-County General Ordinance 25, 2024) does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights a property may be rented. Indiana Code Sec. 36-1-24 preempts local bans on…

Indianapolis STR permit holders must maintain liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 or use a hosting platform that provides equivalent coverage, under Rev. Code Chapter 807 and Indiana HEA 1035.

Indianapolis STRs subject to a total tax rate of 17%: 7% Indiana state sales tax + 10% Marion County innkeeper's tax. Operators must register with Indiana Dept. of Revenue for a Retail Merchant Certificate. Platforms like Airbnb collect taxes automatically; Vrbo hosts self-remit.

Indianapolis/Marion County STR permit requirement applies county-wide including unincorporated areas. STR owners must obtain a permit ($150 initial fee) through the DBNS Citizen Access Portal effective January 2025.

Marion County enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.

Indy Parks close 11 PM to 5 AM under Rev. Code §961-201. White River State Park and Canal Walk have separate hours. After-hours trespass is a Class C infraction.

FAA rules govern recreational drone flight. Indy Parks prohibits takeoff/landing in parks without permit per Rev. Code Ch. 961. IND airport restricted airspace — LAANC required.

Commercial drone operators in Marion County need FAA Part 107 certification. LAANC required within 5 miles of KIND airport. Parks filming requires Indy Parks permit.

Indianapolis-Marion County requires improvement location permits for fences over 6 feet. Fences 6 feet and under generally exempt per Consolidated Zoning Ordinance.

Marion County requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around residential pools per Indiana Residential Code Appendix G. Gates must be self-closing and self-latching with latches 54 inches above grade. Enforced at DBNS inspection.

Marion County requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall under the Indiana Residential Code. Walls with surcharge loads need engineered plans regardless of height.

Indianapolis permits wood, vinyl, wrought iron, and chain-link (rear/side only). Barbed wire prohibited in residential districts. Historic districts restrict to wood/iron per IHPC.

Indianapolis-Marion County fence heights set by the Consolidated Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance. Front yard: maximum 3.5 feet (in residential districts). Side and rear yards: typically up to 6 feet without variance. Taller fences require a Variance of Development Standards…

Marion County follows Indiana law with no residential cost-sharing for fences. UniGov areas follow Indianapolis fence ordinances. Excluded cities maintain their own fence regulations.

Indianapolis generally allows overnight on-street parking except in designated zones or during declared snow emergencies. No citywide overnight ban exists. Snow routes require removal during declared events under Rev. Code Chapter 441.

Indianapolis regulates EV charging installations through standard electrical permits under the Indiana Electrical Code. No citywide EV-ready new construction mandate exists. The Consolidated Zoning Ordinance allows EV chargers as accessory to parking.

Abandoned vehicles in Indianapolis governed by state law IC §9-22 and local Code Ch. 611. A vehicle left on public property without being moved for 3 days is abandoned. On private property without consent: removed after 72-hour notice tag. IMPD enforces.

Street parking in Indianapolis regulated by Chapter 621 of the Code of Ordinances. Various neighborhoods have residential permit parking zones. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) and Parking Enforcement enforce violations.

Vehicles with GVWR over 10,000 lbs (including large RVs) may not be parked in front yard setback areas between the house and the right-of-way in residential zoning districts.

Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR may not park in front yard areas between the facade of a residential dwelling and the right-of-way, unless for active construction or normal service calls. Indianapolis Zoning Ordinance (2016), effective for all residential zones.

Marion County requires vehicles parked in driveways not to block sidewalks. Parking on unpaved surfaces may be prohibited. Driveway modifications need permits.

Indianapolis requires carts at the curb by 7 AM on collection day and retrieved by 7 AM the following day per Rev. Code §381-303. Carts stored out of public view between pickups.

Indianapolis DPW provides 4 free Heavy Trash appointments per year under Rev. Code Ch. 381. Schedule via RequestIndy. Appliances require refrigerant removal tag.

Indianapolis DPW provides weekly curbside trash (city-provided 96-gal cart) and biweekly recycling (opt-in, $99/yr). Set-out by 7 AM on collection day per Rev. Code Ch. 381.

Indianapolis recycling is opt-in (not mandatory) — residents subscribe for ~$99/yr through Republic Services. No penalty for not recycling. Drop-off sites available countywide.

Marion County treats foundation-built tiny homes as standard dwellings under the Indiana Residential Code (Appendix Q allows under 400 sq ft). Tiny homes on wheels are classified as RVs and cannot be used as permanent residences in residential zones.

Carports in Marion County require a building permit from DBNS and must comply with Consolidated Zoning Ordinance accessory structure setbacks. Typically 3 to 5 foot side setbacks. Pre-fab kits are not permit-exempt.

Accessory structures in Indianapolis require permits for structures over 144 sq ft or those with electrical or plumbing. Governed by Indiana Residential Code (IRC 2018) and the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance. Setbacks per zoning district. DBNS: 317-327-2684.

Garage conversions to living space or ADUs in Indianapolis require building permits and must comply with the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance. No statewide ADU mandate in Indiana; local zoning governs. ADU provisions of Code Ch. 744 apply to converted garages.

ADUs are permitted in most Indianapolis-Marion County residential zones under the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance. Must be secondary to the primary dwelling; subject to setbacks, height limits, and design standards. No statewide IN ADU mandate — fully local. Permits required from…

Political signs are allowed on private property in Marion County under the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance with size limits up to 32 square feet in residential zones. Signs in public rights-of-way are prohibited. First Amendment protections apply.

Garage sale signs in Marion County must be placed on private property with permission and are prohibited in public rights-of-way and on utility poles. Signs must be removed immediately after the sale.

Indianapolis permits residential holiday decorations without permits. Displays must not obstruct sight triangles at intersections, block sidewalks, or create noise or electrical hazards. No formal time limits on residential displays.

Indianapolis home occupations prohibit all exterior signage under Consolidated Zoning Ordinance §744-500. No visible evidence of commercial activity permitted in residential zones.

Indianapolis home occupations are limited to 1 client at a time and no walk-in retail under Zoning Ord. §744-500. Traffic must not exceed normal residential patterns.

Indiana's Home Based Vendor law (IC 16-42-5.3) allows home production and sale of non-potentially hazardous foods in Marion County. No local permit required. Products must be properly labeled and sold direct-to-consumer.

Indianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning Ordinance Chapter 743 (Uses and Use-Specific Standards) lists Home Occupation as an accessory use allowed by right in residential districts, subject to the use-specific standards in Sec. 743-306.K. A home occupation that meets those…

Indianapolis permits licensed home daycare as a home occupation under the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance. Class I (up to 5 children) and Class II (6-12 children) daycares must meet Indiana FSSA licensing rules and local zoning.

Marion County allows home occupations in residential zones with conditions. Business registration required. Use must be secondary to residential character.

Indianapolis does not require a permit for residential garage sales. Operators must comply with sign and frequency limits in Rev. Code Ch. 801 and zoning code.

Indianapolis implicitly limits garage sales through Consolidated Zoning §744-500: sales cannot be frequent enough to constitute a retail use. Typical safe limit 3–4 per year.

Indianapolis garage sales must operate within Rev. Code Ch. 391 noise window — effectively 7 AM to 11 PM, with common 8 AM to 6 PM norm. No explicit day restrictions.

Indianapolis requires Rule 5 (327 IAC 15-5) erosion control plans for any land disturbance over 1 acre. DPW Stormwater enforces under Rev. Code Ch. 671. Silt fence + stabilization required.

Marion County regulates grading and drainage under Indianapolis Revised Code Chapter 561 and the Stormwater Specifications Manual. Land-disturbing activity over 1 acre requires a stormwater permit. Drainage cannot be redirected onto adjacent properties.

Marion County operates a separate stormwater utility under the Dept. of Public Works (Unigov). Stormwater management is governed by Indianapolis-Marion County Code and IDEM MS4 stormwater permit. Combined sewer overflows are an active concern in the White River corridor.

Marion County has no coastline. White River, Fall Creek, and Eagle Creek floodplains are regulated under Consolidated Zoning §744-700 and FEMA NFIP. 25-ft stream buffers common.

Indianapolis-Marion County has significant flood zones along Eagle Creek, Fall Creek, White River, and their tributaries. Zone AE (SFHA) covers low-lying riparian corridors. The city maintains a Flood Control Districts Zoning Ordinance. Buildings in SFHA must be elevated to or…

Indianapolis maintains a No Solicitation Registry at IndyGov.org. Posted "No Soliciting" signs are legally enforceable under Rev. Code §811-203. Fines for ignoring.

Indianapolis requires a Peddler's License from DBNS for door-to-door commercial sales under Rev. Code Ch. 811. Background check, photo ID badge. Hours 9 AM to 7 PM.

Indianapolis mobile food vendors need a Mobile Retail Food Establishment permit from MCPHD plus a city Mobile Vendor License. Annual renewal with cart/truck inspection.

Indianapolis restricts food trucks in the Regional Center under Rev. Code Ch. 871. No vending within 50 ft of a restaurant's main entrance. Downtown metered spots require payment.

Tree removal in Marion County is governed by the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance and Indianapolis Urban Forestry division under Unigov. Street trees require a permit from Indianapolis DPW / Urban Forestry. Same rules apply countywide.

Indianapolis requires 1:1 to 2:1 tree replacement for permitted street-tree removal under Rev. Code Ch. 905. Private yard tree replacement only applies in development review.

Marion County does not have a formal heritage or landmark tree program. Indianapolis Urban Forestry and Indy Parks manage significant trees in parks. No residential heritage tree ordinance exists under the Unigov code.

Home cannabis cultivation is ILLEGAL in Indiana and Marion County. Indiana has not legalized recreational or personal cannabis cultivation. Growing cannabis plants at home is a criminal offense under Indiana Code.

Cannabis dispensaries are prohibited countywide. Indiana has no legal medical or recreational marijuana program. Any retail sale operation is a felony under IC §35-48-4.

Rent control is PREEMPTED by Indiana state law. Indiana Code §32-31-1-20 prohibits cities and counties from enacting rent control ordinances. Marion County (Indianapolis-Marion County Unigov) may not impose rent control on private residential rental properties.

Indianapolis operates a Rental Registry through DBNS under Rev. Code Chapter 871. Landlords must register residential rental properties and pay an annual fee. Problem properties face enhanced inspections and penalties.

Indianapolis follows Indiana state eviction law. There is no just-cause eviction requirement. Landlords must provide 30 days written notice to terminate month-to-month tenancies and 10 days for nonpayment of rent per IC 32-31.

Indianapolis setbacks vary by zone in the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance. D-4 single-family typically: 25 ft front, 6 ft side, 20 ft rear. Historic districts use contextual setbacks.

Indianapolis lot coverage caps vary by zone. D-4 single-family: 35% max building coverage. D-5II: 50%. Impervious coverage rules layer in for stormwater MS4 compliance.

Indianapolis residential height is 35 ft in D-1 through D-5 zones under the Consolidated Zoning Ordinance. Regional Center and mixed-use zones allow significantly higher.

Indianapolis prohibits intentional feeding of wild deer under Rev. Code Chapter 531 nuisance provisions. Leaving pet food outside to attract wildlife is also prohibited. Bird feeders are generally allowed.

Exotic pets in Indianapolis governed by Code Ch. 531 and Indiana DNR regulations (IC §14-24 for exotic animals). The city prohibits dangerous exotic animals including big cats, bears, and venomous reptiles as pets. Standard pets and domestic livestock (miniature goats, miniature…

Indiana has no statewide breed ban or preemption. Some Indiana cities maintain breed-specific legislation. Check Marion County municipal code.

Beekeeping in Indianapolis-Marion County regulated under the local code and IC §14-24 (state apiarist program). No published citywide beekeeping ban; local zoning district rules may restrict hive placement. Contact Dept. of Metropolitan Development for current rules.

Marion County requires dogs to be leashed or confined. IC §15-20-1 imposes strict liability on dog owners for bites regardless of prior knowledge.

Marion County may permit backyard chickens with limits on flock size and setbacks. Roosters typically banned in residential zones. Indiana Right to Farm Law protects agricultural operations.