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 follows the 2020 Indiana Residential Code (based on 2018 IRC) which exempts retaining walls 4 feet or less (bottom of footing to top of wall) from permit requirements unless they support a surcharge load. Walls over 4 feet or supporting surcharge (driveway, structure, slope above) require a building permit from DBNS with engineered plans stamped by an Indiana-licensed professional engineer. Proper drainage behind walls (weep holes, perforated pipe, free-draining backfill) is required. Retaining walls near property lines must comply with Consolidated Zoning Ordinance setbacks. Walls encroaching into utility easements need utility approval. Walls affecting regulated drains require Marion County Surveyor approval under IC 36-9-27.
Unpermitted walls over 4 ft: stop-work order, engineering required, potential demolition under Rev. Code §103-52. Fines up to $2,500. Failure to address drainage: corrective action ordered.
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