Indianapolis, IN Right to Farm: Agricultural Zoning Protection (2026)
Key Facts
- Livestock concentration setback
- 500 ft from homes
- Applies to lots
- under 3 acres
- Governing law
- Zoning Ordinance Sec. 743-304.A
- Excludes
- state-defined confined feeding operations
Summary
Agricultural uses are a permitted zoning use across Marion County's Dwelling Districts, but livestock concentrations must stay 500 feet from neighboring homes on lots under three acres.
An inherent characteristic of this use is the outside operations, such as plowing, harvesting, storage of equipment, and is considered a primary facet of the use; therefore the buildings and structures, such as barns and silos, are not considered as accessory outdoor storage and operation, but rather part of the primary activity. All area devoted to the concentration of cattle, swine or poultry shall be a minimum of 500 feet from any dwelling unit located on a lot of less than three acres, other than the principal homestead.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Zoning Ordinance Sec. 743-304.A. treats farming as a primary agricultural use, not an accessory activity: barns, silos, and outdoor operations like plowing, harvesting, and equipment storage are part of the principal use itself. Any area used to concentrate cattle, swine, or poultry must sit at least 500 feet from a dwelling on a lot under three acres, other than the farm's own homestead. The section expressly excludes confined feeding and concentrated animal feeding operations, which fall under state agricultural law instead.
Violations & Fines
Concentrating livestock closer than the 500-foot setback from a neighboring home violates Sec. 743-304.A. and can draw a zoning enforcement action or denial of an Improvement Location Permit for related structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep cattle or hogs anywhere on ag-zoned land?
Are barns and silos treated as extra accessory storage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indianapolis
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