Fishers, IN Home Business: Zoning Restrictions (2026)

The City of Fishers defines and regulates home-based businesses as 'Home Occupations' under Sec. 5.7.2.C of its Unified Development Ordinance (Accessory Uses). A home occupation is defined as 'an occupation that provides a service or product that is conducted wholly within a residential dwelling in a residential zoning district as an accessory use that does not change the residential character of the property or neighborhood.' The UDO lists permitted examples including an art studio, a beauty salon (one chair operated by a resident), a mail- or web-based business, a seamstress or tailor, a home school for 12 or fewer children, the professional office of a clergyman, lawyer, architect, accountant, counselor, or consultant, equipment repair done entirely inside the dwelling by family members (excluding motor vehicles), and teaching such as music or dance for six or fewer students at one time. Key use standards in Sec. 5.7.2.C.2 require that the operator use the dwelling as their primary residence and that only residents of the dwelling operate the business, the home occupation be conducted only within the enclosed living area or the garage (without using required off-street parking space), and that it occupy no more than 25% of the combined floor area of the house and garage. The business may not involve manufacturing, may not create excessive noise, vibration, glare, fumes, or odors, and may keep only one business vehicle on the premises that is not over 6,000 pounds. There may be no room additions, separate exterior entrances, or structural/aesthetic changes that alter the dwelling's residential appearance.