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Moving to Fishers, IN?

Here are the local rules you need to know before you unpack.

Every city has its own set of local ordinances that go beyond state and federal law. From when you can mow your lawn to whether you can park your RV in the driveway, these rules affect daily life in ways most people do not expect. This guide covers the key ordinances in Fishers across 18 categories and 100 specific rules we track.

17 Permissive70 Moderate13 Strict

🔊 Noise OrdinancesFull noise ordinances guide →

Noise rules affect everything from weekend parties to lawn care schedules. Quiet hours, construction restrictions, and barking dog limits vary widely between cities.

Quiet Hours

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code Chapter 98 (Noise) does not set blanket overnight 'quiet hours' for all noise. Instead it caps electronic sound 'devices' at 90 decibels at all times (measured at least 10 feet from the property line) and restricts power-equipment use to daytime hours. A separate 115-decibel general cap also applies.

Code reference: Fishers Code Ch. 98 (sec. 98.02, 98.99)General noise cap: 115 dB for more than 2 min/hour, sec. 98.02(A)

Construction Hours

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code section 98.02(E) limits use of construction and repair equipment, lawn mowers, weed blowers, garden tractors, go-carts, generators, and power tools to 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. from May 15 to September 15, and 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. from September 16 to May 14. City-approved construction or road work is exempt.

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.02(E)Summer hours (May 15-Sep 15): 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Barking Dogs

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code Chapter 98 (Noise) regulates sound-producing 'devices,' vehicles, and equipment but does not list barking dogs as a covered noise source. Persistent animal noise in Fishers is generally handled as a public nuisance / animal-control matter rather than under the decibel-based noise chapter.

Barking in noise chapter: Not listed as a covered source in Ch. 98Only animal reference: Sec. 98.03(L) exempts disability-assistance animals

Amplified Music & Events

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code section 98.02(B) caps sound-amplifying 'devices' at 90 decibels measured at least 10 feet from the property line, with the same figure applied on later-running Friday/Saturday-night and holiday windows. Sound from a device audible 40+ feet from the property line is also prohibited. A 2024-2025 amendment was introduced to lower 90 dB to 80 dB.

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.02(B)Device cap: 90 dB, measured 10+ feet from property line

Leaf Blower Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not have a leaf-blower-specific ordinance, but section 98.02(E) of the Noise chapter limits weed blowers, lawn mowers, garden tractors, and similar power equipment to 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. (May 15-Sep 15) and 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. (Sep 16-May 14). No decibel cap or gas-blower ban is set for these tools.

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.02(E)Summer hours: 7:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. (May 15-Sep 15)

Vehicle Noise

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code section 98.02(D) makes it unlawful for any sound device in or attached to a motor vehicle to be 'plainly audible' more than 30 feet from the device anywhere within the city. Engine/exhaust noise from vehicles lawfully operating on streets is exempt under section 98.03(F).

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.02(D)Car-audio limit: Plainly audible 30+ feet from the device prohibited

Decibel Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code section 98.02 sets numeric decibel limits: a general cap of 115 dB for more than two minutes per hour (measured 10+ feet from the property line), a 90 dB cap on amplifying devices, and an 80 dB cap on devices used from watercraft on Geist Reservoir, measured at the shoreline.

General cap: 115 dB for over 2 min/hour, sec. 98.02(A)Device cap: 90 dB, sec. 98.02(B)

Outdoor Music

Some Restrictions

Outdoor and live amplified music in Fishers is regulated by the section 98.02(B) device limits: 90 decibels measured at least 10 feet from the property line, with later Friday/Saturday-night and holiday windows at the same figure. Government-sanctioned concerts and festivals are exempt under section 98.03(C). An amendment was introduced to lower 90 dB to 80 dB.

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.02(B), 98.03(C)Music cap: 90 dB, measured 10+ feet from property line

Industrial Noise

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code Chapter 98 applies citywide without separate industrial zones. The general 115-decibel cap (for more than two minutes per hour, measured 10+ feet from the property line) under section 98.02(A) is the main limit on industrial and commercial sound. Generators are tied to the same device limits, and emergency generator testing is partly exempt.

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.02(A), 98.03(H)General industrial cap: 115 dB for over 2 min/hour, 10+ ft from property line

Aircraft Noise

Few Restrictions

Fishers Code section 98.03(G) expressly exempts sounds associated with the operation of aircraft from the city noise ordinance. Aircraft noise is regulated by federal law (the FAA) and is outside the city's enforcement authority; Fishers Chapter 98 sets no decibel limit or curfew for aircraft.

Code reference: Fishers Code sec. 98.03(G)Aircraft status: Expressly exempt from city noise ordinance

🏠 Short-Term RentalsFull short-term rentals guide →

If you plan to rent out your home on Airbnb or VRBO - even occasionally - you need to know the local STR rules before listing.

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not ban non-primary-residence STRs, but it treats them differently: an owner-occupied (primary-residence) STR is a permitted use needing no permit, while a non-owner-occupied STR requires a Special Exception under UDO 5.4.6 — exactly the distinction Indiana Code 36-1-24 draws.

Primary-residence-only ban: NoOwner-occupied (primary residence) STR: Permitted use, no permit (IC 36-1-24-8)

Permit Requirements

Some Restrictions

Fishers regulates short-term rentals through its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Section 5.4.6 (Overnight Lodging), not the Chapter 163 home-rental program. An owner-occupied STR is a permitted residential use with no permit, while a non-owner-occupied STR requires Special Exception approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Governing law: UDO Section 5.4.6 (Overnight Lodging)Owner-occupied STR: Permitted use, no permit

Registration Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers' Chapter 163 registration program is for long-term home rentals, not STRs. For short-term rentals, the City relies on UDO 5.4.6: owner-occupied STRs need no registration, while non-owner-occupied STRs must obtain a Special Exception. Hosts must also register for county lodging tax with the Indiana DOR.

City STR registry: None separate; UDO 5.4.6 appliesOwner-occupied STR registration: Not required

Taxes & Fees

Some Restrictions

Fishers itself imposes no local lodging tax on STRs. Hosts collect Indiana's 7% state sales tax plus Hamilton County's 8% innkeeper's (lodging) tax on stays under 30 days. Any Indiana STR permit fee is capped at $150 by state law (IC 36-1-24-13).

Indiana state sales tax on lodging: 7%Hamilton County innkeeper's tax: 8% (stays under 30 days)

Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers' UDO 5.4.6 does not publish a numeric per-guest occupancy cap specific to short-term rentals. Under Indiana Code 36-1-24-10, the City may set occupancy/health-and-safety limits only if it enforces them the same way it does for comparable non-STR homes.

STR-specific numeric occupant cap: None published in UDO 5.4.6(D)Bed-and-breakfast guest-room limit: 14 rooms max (UDO 5.4.6)

Parking Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers' UDO 5.4.6 sets explicit parking ratios for bed-and-breakfasts (one space per guest room plus one per employee) but publishes no STR-specific parking minimum. Indiana Code 36-1-24-10 lets the City regulate parking/traffic only as it would for comparable non-STR homes.

Bed-and-breakfast parking: 1 space/guest room + 1/employee (UDO 5.4.6)STR-specific parking minimum: None published in UDO 5.4.6(D)

Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers enforces noise at short-term rentals through its general noise and nuisance provisions, not an STR-only quiet-hours rule. Indiana Code 36-1-24-10 expressly lets the City regulate STR noise, provided it enforces the same way it does for any comparable home.

STR-only noise ordinance: None; general noise/nuisance rules applyState authority to regulate noise: Yes (IC 36-1-24-10)

Host Presence Rule

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not mandate that a host be physically present during a stay, but it uses owner-occupancy as the threshold for easier approval: an owner-occupied STR is a permitted use, while a non-owner-occupied (unhosted-investor) STR needs a Special Exception under UDO 5.4.6.

On-site host required for all STRs: NoOwner-occupied STR: Permitted use, no permit

Night Caps

Few Restrictions

Fishers' published UDO 5.4.6 does not set an annual night cap on short-term rentals. Indiana defines an STR as a rental for terms of less than 30 days, and IC 36-1-24 bars cities from interpreting zoning to prohibit or unreasonably restrict STRs — limiting any hard night cap.

Annual night cap: None published in UDO 5.4.6STR per-stay definition: Less than 30 days (IC 36-1-24-6)

Insurance Requirements

Few Restrictions

Neither Fishers' UDO 5.4.6 nor Indiana Code 36-1-24 imposes a mandatory liability-insurance threshold for short-term rentals. State law limits the information a city may demand to owner/manager contacts and marketing details, so an insurance mandate is not part of the permit framework.

Mandatory STR insurance minimum: None in UDO 5.4.6 or IC 36-1-24Permit info a city may require: Contacts + marketing only (IC 36-1-24-11)

🔥 Fire RegulationsFull fire regulations guide →

Fire pit rules, fireworks restrictions, and brush clearance requirements are especially important if you are coming from a state with different fire risk profiles.

Fire Pit Rules

Some Restrictions

The Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services permits recreational and cooking fires (such as camp fires), but burning must be in a vented noncombustible container, kept at least 50 feet from any structure or right-of-way, attended by an adult, and is prohibited at apartment complexes and mobile home parks.

Container: Vented noncombustible; mesh openings no larger than 1 1/4 inch squareDistance: Not within 50 feet of any structure or right-of-way

Fireworks

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code Chapter 99 (Section 99.02) permits consumer fireworks only on specific dates and within set hours, mirroring the statewide protected windows in Indiana Code 22-11-14-10.5. Fireworks are otherwise restricted, and violations carry escalating fines through the Ordinance Violations Bureau.

Ordinance: Fishers Code Ch. 99 (Section 99.02)July 4 hours: 10:00 a.m. to midnight

Outdoor Burning

Heavy Restrictions

The Fishers Department of Fire and Emergency Services restricts open burning to wood products only, within set hours and distances, and absolutely prohibits it at apartment complexes and mobile home parks. Indiana's IDEM rules (326 IAC 4-1) generally ban open burning of trash statewide, with limited exemptions.

Fuel: Only wood products (no trash/garbage)Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Brush Clearance

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not impose a wildfire-style defensible-space requirement. Instead, the city's high grass and weeds rule (Ordinance 120511A) requires property owners to keep grass, weeds, and other rank vegetation below eight inches, with enforcement and abatement by the city's Permitting and Inspection Division.

Ordinance: Fishers Ordinance 120511A (2012)Height limit: Vegetation over eight inches prohibited

Backyard Fires

Some Restrictions

Backyard recreational and cooking fires are allowed in Fishers under the fire department's permitted-burning guidance: a vented noncombustible container, an attending adult with a hose or extinguisher, set hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a 50-foot setback. Apartment complexes and mobile home parks are off-limits.

Allowed: Recreational and cooking fires (e.g., camp fires)Container: Vented noncombustible; mesh openings no larger than 1 1/4 inch square

Smoke Detectors

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not appear to have a separate municipal smoke-detector ordinance; requirements come from Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.5, which mandates working smoke detectors in one- and two-family dwellings, including outside each sleeping area and on every story.

Governing law: Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.5 (no separate Fishers ordinance found)Placement: Outside each sleeping area near bedrooms

Propane Storage

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not appear to have a standalone propane-storage ordinance. Propane (LP-gas) storage and use are governed by the Indiana Fire Code adopted by the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, based on the International Fire Code, and enforced locally by the Fishers fire marshal.

City ordinance: None specific found; defers to adopted state fire codeGoverning code: Indiana Fire Code (based on International Fire Code)

Wildfire Zones

Few Restrictions

Fishers is a suburban city in Hamilton County, Indiana, and is not located in a designated wildfire hazard zone. Indiana has no wildland-urban-interface code or state-mapped fire severity zones, so there are no wildfire-zone building or defensible-space requirements in Fishers.

Wildfire zones: None - not a designated wildfire hazard areaState WUI code: None - Indiana has no wildland-urban-interface code

🚗 Parking RulesFull parking rules guide →

Parking rules catch more new residents off guard than almost any other ordinance. RV storage, overnight parking bans, and driveway regulations vary significantly.

RV & Boat Parking

Some Restrictions

Fishers regulates recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on the public right-of-way. Under Chapter 72, these vehicles may not be parked on a public right-of-way within the city continuously for 72 hours or longer, and once relocated may not return to the right-of-way for at least 30 days.

Right-of-way limit: 72 continuous hoursCooldown after relocation: At least 30 days off the right-of-way

Street Parking Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers regulates on-street parking through Chapter 72 and the Chapter 75 parking schedules. Stopping, standing, or parking is prohibited on sidewalks, in front of driveways, within intersections, on crosswalks, and within set distances of hydrants and intersections. Indiana Code requires parking parallel within 12 inches of the curb.

Fire hydrant clearance: 15 feetIntersection/crosswalk clearance: 20 feet

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers § 72.34 makes it unlawful to park or leave standing any commercial vehicle, truck, trailer, or semitrailer weighing 10,000 pounds or more on any highway, street, road, alley, or private property within a residential district, except for loading or unloading or in designated industrial/loading areas.

Weight threshold: 10,000 pounds or moreWhere restricted: Residential districts (streets, alleys, private property)

Overnight Parking

Few Restrictions

Fishers does not impose a blanket citywide ban on overnight on-street parking. General on-street parking remains subject to the Chapter 72 location restrictions and the 72-hour limit on recreational vehicles and trailers. The city encourages residents to clear streets during snow events so plows can operate.

Citywide overnight ban: No blanket prohibition foundRV/trailer street limit: 72 continuous hours

Abandoned Vehicles

Some Restrictions

Fishers Chapter 90 (Abandoned and Inoperable Vehicles) governs abandoned vehicles. Under § 90.07, an officer who finds a vehicle believed to be abandoned attaches a notice tag, and the vehicle is removed after 72 hours, consistent with Indiana Code Title 9, Article 22 abandoned-vehicle procedures.

City code chapter: Chapter 90, Abandoned and Inoperable VehiclesRemoval trigger: Notice tag, then removal after 72 hours (§ 90.07)

Driveway Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers Chapter 72 prohibits stopping, standing, or parking in front of or immediately opposite a public or private driveway, which keeps both your own and your neighbor's driveway access clear. Driveway construction and width on residential lots are governed by the city's Unified Development Ordinance.

Code section: § 72.13 Stopping, Standing or Parking ProhibitedProhibited: Parking in front of or opposite a driveway

Oversized Vehicle Parking

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers limits large vehicles mainly through § 72.34, which bars commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers, and semitrailers of 10,000 pounds or more from residential districts (except loading/unloading or designated zones), and through the Chapter 72 rule capping recreational vehicles and trailers at 72 continuous hours on the right-of-way.

Truck weight rule: 10,000 lbs or more barred from residential districtsRV/trailer street limit: 72 continuous hours

EV Charging

Few Restrictions

Fishers does not appear to have an ordinance reserving public parking spaces for EV charging or penalizing non-EVs that block chargers, and Indiana has no statewide statute on this. EV charging access is generally handled by individual lot owners and posted signage rather than city or state parking law.

City EV parking ordinance: None identified in Fishers codeIndiana statewide EV-parking law: No blocking/reservation statute found

Loading Zones

Some Restrictions

Fishers regulates loading and standing through Chapter 72 and the Chapter 75 prohibited-parking schedules. The truck-parking rule in § 72.34 expressly excepts active loading or unloading and designated loading areas, while fire lanes under § 72.15 must be kept clear and signed.

Loading exception: § 72.34 excepts active loading/unloadingDesignated areas: Industrial zones and designated loading areas

Curb Color Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers controls curb-zone parking through official signs and the Chapter 75 parking schedules rather than resident-painted curbs. Indiana Code sets how vehicles must park against a curb (right wheels within 12 inches, parallel), and fire-lane curbs are marked and signed under § 72.15. Private painting of public curbs is not authorized.

Curb parking distance: Within 12 inches, right wheels parallel (Indiana Code)Who designates curb zones: City via Chapter 75 schedules and signs

🧱 Fence RegulationsFull fence regulations guide →

Planning to put up a fence? Height limits, material restrictions, and permit requirements differ by city - and sometimes by which side of the property the fence sits on.

Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers regulates fence height by location under Unified Development Ordinance Sec. 6.18.2. A fence in a required primary front yard of a residential district maxes out at 4 feet and must be at least 50% open. Side and rear yards of a one- or two-family lot allow up to 6 feet. Fences enclosing an institutional/industrial use may reach 8 feet.

Code Section: UDO Sec. 6.18.2(B) Walls & FencesPrimary front yard (residential): 4 ft max, 50% open minimum

Permit Requirements

Few Restrictions

Fishers does NOT require a building permit to build a fence or wall. UDO Sec. 6.18.1 states plainly that walls and fences do not require a building permit, but they must comply with all standards in Article 6.18. So a fence is permit-free, yet still has to meet height, openness, material, vision-clearance, and waterway-setback rules.

Building permit required?: No — UDO Sec. 6.18.1Must still comply with: All of UDO Article 6.18

Retaining Walls

Some Restrictions

Fishers' UDO sets no separate height table for retaining walls, but carves them out of the waterway rule: a retaining wall that does not obstruct access is exempt from the 15-foot top-of-bank setback that applies to walls and fences (Sec. 6.18.2(F)). Permitting of taller retaining walls is governed by the Indiana Residential Code.

UDO height table for retaining walls: None published — see building codeWaterway exemption: Retaining walls not obstructing access — Sec. 6.18.2(F)

Neighbor Fence Rules

Some Restrictions

Under Fishers UDO Sec. 6.18.2(C), a fence's non-structural side (posts and beams) must face outward toward the property line — UNLESS the two adjoining owners share the cost. Fences may sit on the line but cannot encroach into easements or the right-of-way. Boundary and cost-sharing disputes fall under Indiana law.

Finished-side rule: Non-structural side faces outward — Sec. 6.18.2(C)Exception: Shared-cost fence between owners is exempt

Fence Requirements

Some Restrictions

Beyond height, a Fishers fence must satisfy several installation rules in UDO Sec. 6.18.2: the finished (non-structural) side faces outward, the fence stays out of the right-of-way and prohibited easements, it cannot sit within 15 feet of a waterway's top of bank, and it must clear the intersection vision triangle. Fences must also be kept maintained and in good repair.

Code Section: UDO Sec. 6.18.2 Walls & FencesFinished side: Posts/beams face outward — Sec. 6.18.2(C)

Material Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Fishers restricts dangerous fence materials. Under UDO Sec. 6.18.2(I), fences and walls may not incorporate barbed wire, security wire, sharpened top spikes, or electrified wires, except for agricultural use or City facilities. The UDO bans no list of decorative materials, but primary-front-yard fences must be 50% open, ruling out a solid privacy panel up front.

Code Section: UDO Sec. 6.18.2(I) Safety RestrictionsProhibited: Barbed wire, security wire, top spikes, electrified wire

Approved Materials

Some Restrictions

Fishers' UDO does not publish an approved-materials list for fences, so common materials — wood, vinyl, aluminum, ornamental steel, and (in commercial/industrial settings) open mesh — are generally acceptable provided the fence meets the height, openness, finished-side, and safety standards in Sec. 6.18.2. The clear limits are the ban on barbed/electrified wire and the 50%-open requirement in primary front yards.

Approved-materials list: None — performance standards applyGenerally acceptable: Wood, vinyl, aluminum, ornamental steel

🐔 Animal OrdinancesFull animal ordinances guide →

Pet owners and aspiring chicken keepers should check local animal ordinances before signing a lease or closing on a home.

Dog Leash Laws

Some Restrictions

Fishers prohibits dogs and other animals from running at large anywhere in the city. On public property a dog must be leashed and under the direct control of a competent person. Off-leash is allowed only on the owner's own property or in designated dog parks, where the dog must obey commands.

Leash required (public): Yes - leash and direct control on public property (§ 91.05)Off-leash allowed: Owner's own property or designated dog parks only

Chickens & Livestock

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers' animal code (Chapter 91) classifies fowl as livestock and requires adequate food, water, space, and care, but sets no numeric flock limit. Whether chickens or livestock may be kept on a given lot is controlled by the city's zoning / Unified Development Ordinance, and any animal not kept in conformity with zoning is a public nuisance.

Fowl status: Classified as 'livestock' in the animal code (§ 91.02)Numeric flock limit: None set in Chapter 91 animal code

Breed Restrictions

Few Restrictions

Fishers has no breed-specific ban. The city's 'dangerous animal' rules are based on an animal's behavior, not its breed. The code expressly states no dog may be declared vicious because of breed alone, and dangerous-animal status follows attacks, bites, or injuries rather than appearance.

Breed-specific ban: None - no breed is restricted or prohibitedBasis for regulation: Behavior (attacks/bites), not breed (§ 91.02, § 91.07)

Beekeeping

Some Restrictions

Fishers' animal control code (Chapter 91) does not address beekeeping; honeybees are insects, not the vertebrate 'animals' the chapter regulates. Whether hives are allowed on a given lot is a zoning question under the city's Unified Development Ordinance, so residents should confirm with Fishers Planning and Zoning.

Bees in animal code: Not covered - 'animal' means vertebrate (§ 91.02)Hive count / setbacks: None specified in Chapter 91

Livestock

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers' animal code defines livestock to include horses, cows, goats, pigs, other four-legged animals, and fowl, and requires owners to provide adequate food, water, space, and humane care. The code sets no numeric limits; whether livestock may be kept on a parcel is controlled by city zoning, and animals kept contrary to zoning are public nuisances.

Livestock defined: Horses, cows, goats, pigs, other four-legged animals; fowl included (§ 91.02)Care duties: Adequate food, water, shelter, space, sanitation (§ 91.03)

Exotic Pets

Some Restrictions

Fishers' animal code does not itself regulate exotic or wild animals; it expressly leaves wild and exotic animal regulation to the State of Indiana under 312 IAC Article 9 (Fish and Wildlife). The city code defines exotic animals as wild animals not native to Indiana and lists common domestic pets that are allowed.

City regulates exotics?: No - expressly deferred to the State of IndianaControlling authority: 312 IAC Article 9 (Fish and Wildlife), IN DNR

Pet Limits

Few Restrictions

Fishers' animal code sets no general numeric limit on how many dogs or cats a household may keep. A two-animal cap applies only as an added restriction to people who have already been found in violation of specified care, restraint, nuisance, dangerous-animal, bite, or cruelty sections.

General pet limit: None for ordinary residents in Chapter 91Two-animal cap: Applies only after a prior violation (§ 91.21)

Cat Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers requires cats three months and older to carry permanent identification (microchip or collar tag), be vaccinated against rabies, and - if over six months - be spayed or neutered unless a free breeder's permit applies. Feral cats are addressed through a registered trap-neuter-return colony program rather than ordinary ownership.

Permanent ID: Required for cats 3 months+ (microchip or collar tag) (§ 91.04)Rabies vaccination: Required for cats 3 months+ (§ 91.12)

Wildlife Feeding

Some Restrictions

Fishers' animal code does not contain a general ban on feeding wild animals such as deer, geese, or raccoons; the code expressly leaves wild-animal regulation to the State of Indiana. The one feeding rule it does impose targets feral cats: feeding an unregistered feral cat colony is prohibited.

General wildlife feeding ban: Not in Chapter 91 - deferred to State of IndianaControlling authority (wildlife): 312 IAC Article 9, Indiana DNR

Animal Hoarding

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers' animal code defines and prohibits animal hoarding - collecting animals without adequate shelter and care, hoarding dead animals, or keeping animals in filthy, insanitary conditions that endanger people or animals. Hoarding overlaps with neglect, and a court may order seizure of animals and a ban on future ownership.

Hoarding defined: Yes - § 91.02 (failure of care, dead animals, filthy conditions)Primary enforcement: Animal neglect under § 91.11

🌿 Landscaping RulesFull landscaping rules guide →

From grass height limits to tree removal permits, landscaping rules can surprise new homeowners, especially in drought-prone areas with water restrictions.

Grass Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code § 95.21 requires property owners to cut and remove weeds and rank vegetation once it exceeds eight inches in height, measured from the ground, including the area abutting any sidewalk, alley or street. The Department of Permitting and Inspection enforces the rule.

Maximum grass/weed height: 8 inches (measured from the ground)Code section: Fishers Code §§ 95.20 and 95.21

Tree Trimming

Some Restrictions

Fishers requires a Tree Board permit to prune street trees (§ 95.33) and prohibits topping or improper pruning of trees in the right-of-way without approval (§ 95.35). Private property owners must keep their own trees from overhanging the public right-of-way and may trim private-yard trees without a city permit.

Permit for street-tree pruning: Required from the Tree Board (§ 95.33)Topping right-of-way trees: Unlawful without Tree Board approval (§ 95.35)

Weed Ordinances

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code §§ 95.20-95.25 require owners to cut weeds and rank vegetation over eight inches tall, plus any noxious plants listed in IC 15-16-7-2. The Department of Permitting and Inspection issues a notice, then may mow and bill the owner with escalating fines after a seven-day cure period.

Code subchapter: Fishers Code §§ 95.20-95.25Height trigger: Over 8 inches; plus IC 15-16-7-2 noxious plants

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Some Restrictions

Removing a street tree in Fishers requires a Tree Board permit under § 95.33(B), except in an emergency. Trees on private property generally have no city removal permit, but owners must remove dead or unsafe trees that threaten the public right-of-way (§§ 95.02, 95.12). Development sites must protect designated trees under the UDO.

Street-tree removal permit: Required from Tree Board (§ 95.33(B))Emergency exception: No permit needed in an emergency

Water Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Fishers Code Chapter 52 lets the Mayor declare a water warning or water emergency for the Citizens Water / Indiana American system. Under § 52.05, restrictions then ban lawn sprinkling, car washing, surface washdown, pool filling, and new sod; a water emergency bans nearly all outdoor watering except hand-watered vegetable gardens every other day.

Code chapter: Fishers Code Chapter 52 (Effective Conservation of Water)Who declares restrictions: The Mayor (§ 52.04)

Rainwater Harvesting

Few Restrictions

Fishers has no ordinance restricting residential rainwater harvesting, and Indiana places no statewide limit on collecting rainwater for non-potable use. Non-potable rainwater systems are addressed by the Indiana Residential Code; large-scale or significant withdrawals fall under Indiana DNR water-management rules.

Fishers ordinance: None restricting rainwater collectionIndiana statewide rule: No ban on non-potable rainwater harvesting

Artificial Turf

Some Restrictions

Fishers has no ordinance banning artificial turf, but its UDO will not credit it toward required landscaping: § 6.7.3.G states 'dead, diseased or artificial plants shall not be recognized by the City as contributing to required landscaping,' and § 6.7.3.O requires turf grass or other vegetative ground cover in landscaped areas. Homeowner use outside required landscaping is not prohibited.

Outright ban: None in the Fishers codeCounts toward required landscaping?: No - artificial plants not recognized (§ 6.7.3.G)

Native Plants

Few Restrictions

Fishers actively encourages native planting: its UDO landscaping standards (§ 6.7.1) aim to 'encourage native planting that protect biodiversity,' draw plant choices from the City's Approved List of Recommended Species, and require 'no mow' signs for native-grass and prairie areas around stormwater facilities. Invasive species must be avoided.

UDO intent: Encourage native planting that protects biodiversity (§ 6.7.1.A)Plant list: City of Fishers Approved List of Recommended Species

Composting

Few Restrictions

Fishers has no ordinance prohibiting backyard composting. Indiana exempts an individual composting vegetative matter on their own property from IDEM composting-facility registration, and bans most yard waste from landfills (IC 13-20-9). UDO maintenance standards still require landscaped areas to be kept free of refuse and debris.

Fishers ordinance: None prohibiting backyard compostingState registration: Home composting exempt from IDEM facility registration

💼 Home BusinessFull home business guide →

Working from home is common, but running a business from home often requires permits and must comply with zoning restrictions on customer traffic and signage.

Zoning Restrictions

Some Restrictions

Fishers allows home occupations as an accessory use in residential zoning districts under UDO Sec. 5.7.2.C. The business must be conducted wholly inside the dwelling by residents only, must not change the residential character, and may not occupy more than 25% of the combined floor area of the house and garage.

Governing code: UDO Sec. 5.7.2.C (Home Occupation)Location: Wholly inside the dwelling or garage

Signage Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers prohibits signs for home occupations. UDO Sec. 5.7.2.C.2.b states there shall be no signs, displays, outdoor storage, or other exterior evidence of business activity, and the dwelling and lot may not be altered in appearance so they look like anything other than a residence.

Governing code: UDO Sec. 5.7.2.C.2.b (Home Occupation)Business signs: Prohibited (no signs or displays)

Home Occupation Permits

Some Restrictions

Fishers' UDO regulates home occupations as a by-right accessory use governed by performance standards in Sec. 5.7.2.C rather than a standalone home-occupation permit. If a home business does not comply, the Director or a neighbor can bring it before the Board of Zoning Appeals, which may rule the use not permitted.

Governing code: UDO Sec. 5.7.2.C (Home Occupation)Standalone UDO permit: Not required; use must meet standards

Cottage Food Operations

Few Restrictions

Cottage food sales in Fishers follow Indiana's Home Based Vendor law (IC 16-42-5.3, effective July 2022). Home producers may sell non-potentially hazardous foods directly to consumers, online, by mail, and at farmers markets with no state license or sales cap, provided products are properly labeled. Local governments may not add restrictions.

Governing law: Indiana Home Based Vendor Act, IC 16-42-5.3 (HEA 1149)Effective: July 1, 2022

Home Daycare

Some Restrictions

Fishers permits in-home child care as a 'Child Care Home' under UDO Sec. 5.4.1, which defers to Indiana law (IC 12-17.2) for capacity and licensing. A childcare home is also recognized as a home occupation under Sec. 5.7.2.C in accordance with I.C. 36-7-4-1108, while state licensing is handled by Indiana FSSA.

City zoning code: UDO Sec. 5.4.1 (Child Care Home)State licensing law: Indiana IC 12-17.2 (administered by FSSA)

🏊 Swimming Pools & SpasFull swimming pools & spas guide →

Pool ownership comes with safety fencing requirements, permit obligations, and drainage rules that vary by jurisdiction.

Pool Permits

Some Restrictions

Fishers regulates residential pools through its Unified Development Ordinance (UDO Sec. 6.2.2). In-ground and most permanent pools need a building/improvement location permit applied for through the city's OpenGov portal, while small above-ground and portable pools are exempt from a building permit under the UDO.

Governing code: UDO Sec. 6.2.2 (Residential Accessory Structures)In-ground pools: Building/improvement location permit required

Fencing Requirements

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers does not set pool-barrier heights in its own UDO; it defers to the Indiana Residential Code (675 IAC 14-4.4-38, Section R326), which requires a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates around residential pools deeper than 42 inches. Fishers' UDO fence rules (Sec. 6.18.2) govern fence height and materials.

Barrier source: Indiana Residential Code R326 (675 IAC 14-4.4-38)Barrier height: At least 4 feet high

Safety Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Pool safety for one- and two-family homes in Fishers is governed by the Indiana Residential Code, Section R326 (675 IAC 14-4.4-38), which the city's building official enforces. It mandates a barrier at least 4 feet high, self-closing and self-latching gates that lock, and applies to pools more than 42 inches deep and any indoor pool.

Governing code: Indiana Residential Code R326 (675 IAC 14-4.4-38)Barrier: At least 4 feet high

Above-Ground Pools

Few Restrictions

Fishers' UDO (Sec. 6.2.2.D) lists 'above ground pools' among structures that do not require a building permit, but the same article still requires the water perimeter to sit at least 5 feet from rear and side property lines. If the pool exceeds 42 inches deep, the Indiana Residential Code barrier rules (Section R326) still apply.

Building permit: Not required per UDO Sec. 6.2.2.DSetback: Water perimeter ≥5 ft from rear/side line

Hot Tub Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers' UDO treats hot-tub enclosures and pool houses as residential accessory structures (Sec. 6.2.2) subject to floor-area, height, and setback limits. Safety barrier requirements for spas and hot tubs follow the Indiana Residential Code Section R326, enforced by the city's building official.

Classification: Hot-tub enclosure/pool house = accessory structure (UDO 6.2.2)Accessory floor area: From 1,000 sf (lot <1 acre) up by parcel size

🏗️ Accessory StructuresFull accessory structures guide →

Thinking about an ADU, shed, or garage conversion? Local rules on accessory structures have changed rapidly in recent years, especially in California.

ADU Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers' Unified Development Ordinance does not list an accessory dwelling unit as a permitted accessory use in residential districts. The only accessory residence allowed (a caretaker's residence) is permitted in nonresidential districts only, so a second living unit in a residential yard typically requires a variance.

ADU as accessory use in residential zones: Not listed as permitted in the UDO Use TableCaretaker's residence: Allowed in nonresidential/agricultural districts only (Sec. 5.7.2.A)

Shed Rules

Some Restrictions

Under UDO Sec. 6.2.2, a detached shed in a residential district must meet the front setback for the zone and a side/rear setback equal to the primary-structure setback or 10 feet (whichever is less). Combined accessory floor area is capped at 1,000 sq ft on lots under one acre, and most R-district structures may not exceed 18 feet tall.

Max combined accessory floor area (lot under 1 acre): 1,000 sq ft (Sec. 6.2.2.A)Side/rear setback: Primary-structure setback or 10 ft, whichever is less

Garage Conversions

Some Restrictions

Converting a garage to living space is a Structural Alteration requiring a building permit and compliance with the Indiana One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code. Because the UDO permits no separate accessory dwelling unit in residential districts, a garage cannot become an independent rental by right, though conversion into the same household's living space is treated as remodeling.

Permit: Building permit required (Structural Alteration)Building code: Indiana One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code applies

Carport Rules

Some Restrictions

Carports are expressly listed as residential accessory structures in UDO Sec. 6.2.2 and follow the same standards as detached garages: side/rear setback equal to the primary-structure setback or 10 feet (whichever is less), the combined accessory floor-area cap (1,000 sq ft under one acre), and an 18-foot height limit in most residential districts.

Carports: Expressly listed as accessory structures (Sec. 6.2.2)Side/rear setback: Primary-structure setback or 10 ft, whichever is less

Tiny Homes

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers' UDO does not define or separately permit 'tiny homes.' A tiny house used as a residence must meet the UDO's Dwelling Unit definition and the Indiana One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code, and it must occupy a lawfully zoned residential lot - the UDO does not allow a second small dwelling as an accessory use in residential districts.

Tiny home as a defined use: Not separately defined in the UDOBuilding standard: Indiana One- and Two-Family Dwelling Code

🍖 Outdoor CookingFull outdoor cooking guide →

🪧 Sign RegulationsFull sign regulations guide →

🏚️ Property MaintenanceFull property maintenance guide →

Property Blight

Some Restrictions

Fishers' Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 157) requires owners and occupants to keep structures and exterior premises from debasing the neighborhood's appearance or reducing property values. Code Enforcement now reviews neighborhoods proactively rather than only on complaint.

Governing code: Chapter 157, Property Maintenance CodeStandard: No deterioration/debasing of neighborhood appearance

Trash Bin Storage

Some Restrictions

Under Fishers' citywide Republic Services program, households use city-issued 96-gallon carts. Carts must be set out for collection day and otherwise stored out of sight; outdoor storage of containers should be kept behind the front setback and screened from neighboring properties.

Provider: Republic Services (citywide since Jan 2025)Carts: City-issued 96-gallon (typically 2 per home)

Vacant Lot Maintenance

Some Restrictions

Vacant and undeveloped lots in Fishers must be kept mowed under the high weeds and grass ordinance (8-inch limit), and exterior premises must not debase the neighborhood. Truly undeveloped natural areas, woods, wetlands, and preserves are exempt from the mowing rule.

Height limit: 8 inches (Ord. 120511A, 2012)Exempt areas: Woods, wetlands, preserves, BMP, undeveloped, ag

Weeds & Overgrown Grass

Heavy Restrictions

Fishers prohibits grass, weeds, or rank vegetation taller than eight inches under Ordinance 120511A. After a first notice and a continuous abatement notice, repeat overgrowth leads the city to hire a contractor to mow and bill the owner for mowing, administrative costs, and a fine.

Height limit: 8 inches (measured from ground)Ordinance: 120511A (adopted 2012)

Garage Sale Rules

Few Restrictions

Fishers does not require a permit to hold a garage or yard sale. The Fishers Health Department has confirmed no permit is needed. Residents should still follow sign rules and HOA restrictions, and keep the sale from creating traffic, parking, or property-maintenance problems.

Permit required?: No (per Fishers Health Department)City fee: None

💡 Outdoor LightingFull outdoor lighting guide →

🗑️ Trash & RecyclingFull trash & recycling guide →

Bin Placement Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers households set city-issued 96-gallon Republic carts at the curb on their assigned collection day, then return them to a screened storage spot. Carts should be spaced for the automated truck, and residents unable to move carts can request driveway-assist from Fishers Utilities.

Carts: City-issued 96-gallon (trash + recycling)Set out: On assigned collection day; check FishersIN.gov/Trash

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Some Restrictions

Fishers switched to a single citywide hauler, Republic Services, in January 2025. Service includes weekly trash and biweekly recycling using city-issued 96-gallon carts, billed monthly on the city utility bill (about $16.39 in 2025, rising to $17.33 in 2026 under Section 50.08).

Hauler: Republic Services (citywide since Jan 13, 2025)Trash frequency: Weekly

Bulk Item Disposal

Some Restrictions

Bulk and heavy items in Fishers are collected by Republic Services by appointment for a fee (about $25 per pickup), arranged through the Republic customer portal or by phone. The city also offers seasonal leaf and yard-waste pickup in April and November.

Bulk provider: Republic Services (by appointment)Bulk fee: ~$25 per pickup (confirm current rate)

Recycling Requirements

Some Restrictions

Fishers provides biweekly single-stream curbside recycling to every household through Republic Services, included in the citywide trash fee. Accepted items include cardboard, paper, metal and aluminum cans, plastic bottles and jugs, and glass bottles. A 65-gallon cart option is available on request.

Provider: Republic Services (single-stream)Frequency: Biweekly (every other week)

Illegal Dumping

Heavy Restrictions

Dumping trash or debris on public or private property in Fishers is prohibited. Under Indiana Code 35-45-3-2, littering is a Class B infraction, escalating to a Class A infraction (up to $1,000) when refuse is left within 100 feet of state-jurisdiction waters. The city also abates blight under Chapter 157.

State law: IC 35-45-3-2 (Littering and Pollution)Base offense: Class B infraction

🌙 Curfew LawsFull curfew laws guide →

📐 Building Setbacks & ZoningFull building setbacks & zoning guide →

Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Fishers measures front, side, and rear setbacks under UDO Sec. 6.16.2, but the minimum distances are set per zoning district in Chapter 3 and vary. Universal rules apply: setbacks run from the existing or proposed right-of-way (whichever is greater), structures stay at least 25 feet from the 100-year floodplain, and commercial uses abutting residential have heightened perimeter yards.

Code Section: UDO Sec. 6.16.2 Building SetbacksFront/side/rear minimums: Set per zoning district — Chapter 3 (vary)

Structure Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers sets no single citywide building-height cap. Maximum structure height is established per zoning district in Chapter 3 of the UDO, so the limit depends on the parcel's district. Article 6.6 (Height Encroachments) governs which features may project above that limit, and the vision-clearance triangle restricts what rises 3 to 8 feet at intersections.

Citywide height cap?: No — set per zoning district (Chapter 3)Where to find the limit: Parcel's district standards, UDO Chapter 3

Lot Coverage Limits

Some Restrictions

Fishers does not publish one citywide lot-coverage cap. Maximum lot coverage and related dimensional standards (lot area, width, and impervious limits) are set per zoning district in Chapter 3 of the UDO, alongside the Lot Standards in Article 6.8. The applicable percentage therefore depends on the parcel's zoning district; check Chapter 3 or contact Planning & Zoning.

Citywide lot-coverage cap?: No — set per zoning district (Chapter 3)Lot standards: UDO Article 6.8 Lot Standards

🌳 Tree ProtectionFull tree protection guide →

Overall: What to Expect in Fishers

Fishers has 100 ordinances on file across 18 categories. Of these, 17 are rated permissive, 70 moderate, and 13 strict. This gives you a general sense of how tightly regulated daily life is in Fishers compared to other cities.

Rules can change, and enforcement varies. Always verify specific requirements with the city directly before making major decisions like building a fence, listing on Airbnb, or starting a home business.

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