The Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) issues all residential renovation permits in Marion County. Kitchen and bathroom remodels almost always need a plumbing permit (any drain/supply line change), an electrical permit (any new circuits or service changes), and a mechanical permit for HVAC or kitchen exhaust changes. A separate Structural Permit is required for any load-bearing wall removal, additions, or change of use.
Indianapolis-Marion County consolidated all residential and commercial building permitting under the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS, 1200 Madison Ave, 317-327-8700, permitquestions@indy.gov). Owners and licensed contractors apply through the Accela Citizen Access Portal at indy.gov; first-time applicants must create an account, upload plans, and pay an intake or plan-review fee. Indianapolis enforces the Indiana Residential Code (currently the 2020 IRC with state amendments per 675 IAC 14-4.4) and the Indiana Building Code. A Structural Permit covers any work that affects the building's structural system or square footage — load-bearing wall removal, additions, garage conversions, and full kitchen reconfigurations all trigger Structural review. Plumbing permits are required for any change to drain-waste-vent, water supply lines, or fixture relocations (a like-for-like swap of an existing fixture in the same location generally does not). Electrical permits are required for any new circuits, panel upgrades, sub-panels, EV chargers, or service entrance changes. Mechanical permits cover furnace, A/C, water heater (gas), and kitchen-exhaust hood installations. Cosmetic interior work — painting, flooring, cabinet swaps using existing connections, drywall patching — does not require a permit. Homeowners may pull permits for work on their own primary residence; otherwise the work must be performed by a contractor registered with the Indianapolis-Marion County Marion County Contractor Registration program. After construction, DBNS inspectors verify rough-in, final, and any special inspections required by the permit type before the permit is closed.
Doing renovation work in Indianapolis without required permits is a violation of the consolidated Marion County Building Code. DBNS may issue a stop-work order, require after-the-fact permitting (at significantly higher fees), and require exposing concealed work for inspection. Unresolved violations are cited to the Marion County Hearing Officer and can result in liens on the property under IC 36-7-9.
Indianapolis, IN
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Indianapolis, IN
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Indianapolis, IN
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Indianapolis, IN
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Indianapolis, IN
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Indianapolis, IN
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