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.
Home occupations are governed by the Indianapolis-Marion County Consolidated Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (the Zoning Ordinance), Chapter 743, Section 743-306.K, as a use-specific accessory use. The Zoning Ordinance defines a home occupation as 'an occupation, profession, craft, service, or business activity carried on within a legally established dwelling unit, or associated legally established accessory building, by a resident of a dwelling unit on the same lot or parcel, where the occupation or business activity is clearly incidental and subordinate to the residential 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.
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.
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