Indianapolis-Marion County requires improvement location permits for fences over 6 feet. Fences 6 feet and under generally exempt per Consolidated Zoning Ordinance.
Under the Indianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning Ordinance (744-202), fences up to 6 feet in side and rear yards do not require a permit. Fences over 6 feet, retaining walls over 4 feet, and fences in historic districts (Lockerbie, Chatham-Arch, Old Northside, Ransom Place, Herron-Morton) require an Improvement Location Permit (ILP) from DBNS. Historic districts also require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. Pool barrier fences must meet 675 IAC 14 (Indiana Building Code). Front-yard fences are limited to 4 feet and must be at least 50% open.
Unpermitted fence over 6 ft: stop-work order and retroactive permit at 2x fee. Historic district violations: up to $2,500 and required restoration.
See how Marion County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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