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.
Unlike some Indiana cities that issue a discrete home-occupation permit, Fishers regulates home-based businesses through use standards in the Unified Development Ordinance rather than a special licensing step. Sec. 5.7.2.C lists home occupations among accessory uses and sets the conditions a home business must continuously satisfy: it must be conducted wholly within the dwelling (or garage, without using required parking space), operated only by residents who use the home as their primary residence, occupy no more than 25% of the combined floor area of the house and garage, involve no manufacturing, generate no excessive noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or odors, keep only one business vehicle under 6,000 pounds on site, and show no exterior signs, displays, or storage. So long as a home business meets every standard, it is permitted without a separate UDO home-occupation permit. The UDO provides an enforcement and review path rather than an up-front approval: Sec. 5.7.2.C.5 states that any use claimed as a home occupation 'may be deemed not permitted if, in a public hearing on the matter, the Board of Zoning Appeals rules the use to be a nuisance or that it does not comply with this Section,' and the Director or any reasonably affected person may request that hearing under Sec. 10.2.3 (Appeal of Administrative Determination). Note that any building or trade work to convert space, or a child-care home, may trigger separate permits or state registration; operators should confirm whether their specific activity requires a building, electrical, or state-level approval through the OpenGov portal or Planning & Zoning.
Enforcement happens on the back end: a non-compliant home occupation can be brought before the Board of Zoning Appeals, which may declare it a nuisance or not in compliance and therefore not permitted (Sec. 5.7.2.C.5, via Sec. 10.2.3). Building or electrical work to support the business may need its own permits. Contact Fishers Planning & Zoning at 317-595-3155 to confirm requirements before starting.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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