Indianapolis, IN Home Business: Zoning & Home Occupation Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Floor area limit
- 600 sq ft or 30%, whichever is less
- Primary use
- Must remain residential
- Operator residence
- Legal and primary residence required
- Exterior alterations
- Not permitted
- Code Section
- Sec. 743-306.K
Summary
Indianapolis allows home occupations as an accessory use in residential dwelling districts so long as the dwelling stays primarily residential and the business is clearly incidental and subordinate to it. No more than 600 square feet or 30% of the dwelling's total floor area, whichever is less, may be used for the home occupation, and no exterior changes to the home's residential appearance are allowed.
K. Home Occupations 1. The primary use of the dwelling unit shall remain residential. 2. The dwelling unit shall not be a mobile dwelling unit. 3. The operator of the home occupation shall make the dwelling unit within which the home occupation is conducted his legal and primary place of residence, and shall also carry out more of the activities such as sleeping, eating, entertaining and other functions and activities normally associated with home life in the dwelling unit where the home occupation is being conducted than are carried out at any other place. 4. The home occupation shall be clearly incidental and subordinate to the primary residential use of the dwelling. No more than 600 square feet or 30% of the total square footage of the dwelling unit, whichever is less, shall be used in connection with the home occupation. If more than one home occupation operates in the dwelling unit, these limits shall apply to all of the home occupations combined, not to each home occupation individually. ... 7. No structural additions, enlargements or exterior alterations changing the residential appearance of the dwelling or lot shall be permitted, and no additional or separate exterior entrance shall be constructed for the purpose of conducting the home occupation.
Full Breakdown
K, as a use-specific accessory use. ' Permitted examples include accounting, counseling, computer programming, web design, law, medicine, architecture, engineering, real estate brokerage, tutoring, photography, and music instruction. The operator must make the dwelling his legal and primary place of residence. The dwelling may not be a mobile dwelling unit. No more than 600 square feet, or 30% of the dwelling's total square footage, whichever is less, may be devoted to the home occupation (the combined limit applies if more than one home occupation operates in the unit).
No structural additions, enlargements, or exterior alterations that change the residential appearance of the dwelling or lot are permitted, and no additional or separate exterior entrance may be constructed for the business. Food preparation and bathing facilities must not be removed, and the area used must be finished as habitable space under the Building Code.
Violations & Fines
Operating a home occupation that exceeds the area limit, alters the dwelling's residential appearance, or otherwise violates Section 743-306.K is a zoning violation enforced by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) Code Enforcement, subject to a notice of violation, an order to cease the noncomplying use, and continuing-violation penalties under the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a business out of my house in Indianapolis?
How much of my home can the business occupy?
Can I add on to my house or build a separate entrance for the business?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indianapolis
How Indianapolis compares: Easiest Cities to Run a Home Business·Compare Indianapolis to another location·View the Indiana home business overview
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