Business Licensing & Operations in Porter County, IN (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Porter County, Indiana.
Verified from official government sources
Adult Entertainment
Porter County requires an Improvement Location Permit before any sexually oriented business opens, and UDO § 5.44 SX-01 forces a 1,500-foot buffer between the business and any other sexually oriented business, any residential zoning district, and public gathering places such as schools, parks and religious institutions.
Porter County Sexually Oriented Business Rules
Significant RestrictionsPorter County UDO § 5.44, SX-01: Sexually Oriented Business; General
A. Permit Required: Sexually oriented businesses shall not be constructed, erected, placed, modified or altered until an Improvement Location Permit has been obtained (see Chapter 10; §10.11: Improvement Location Permit). B. Separation Requirements: Sexually oriented businesses shall have the following separation requirements: 1. Sexually oriented businesses shall be separated from other sexual...
Tattoo & Body Modification
Porter County requires every tattoo and body piercing facility to hold an annual permit from the county health officer before opening. Operating without one is unlawful under County Code Sec. 12-245, and permits must be renewed each year by January 1.
Porter County Tattoo Parlor Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsPorter County, IN Code of Ordinances Sec. 12-245(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in body tattooing and/or body piercing at any location and/or facility which does not possess a valid permit issued by the county health officer. Such permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises where body tattooing and/or body piercing is being offered to the public. ... The permit shall be for a term of not more than one year and...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Porter County flatly excludes automobile, motor vehicle, or equipment painting and repair of any kind from the list of allowed home occupations. UDO § 5.21 HO-01(G)(2) bars the use outright, with no permit or variance route to run a repair shop from a residence.
Porter County Bars Home Auto Repair
Heavy RestrictionsPorter County UDO § 5.21 HO-01(G)(2)
G. Exclusions: The following uses are not permitted as home occupations under any circumstances: 1. Animal hospital; 2. Automobile, motor vehicles, equipment painting or repair of any kind; 3. Freight or trucking operation of any kind; 4. Funeral home; 5. Kennel; 6. Landscaping business; 7. Manufacturing facility; 8. Medical clinic of any kind; 9. Restaurant;...
All Porter County ordinances
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