Indianapolis cannot set unique occupancy caps for short-term rentals under Indiana state preemption. Standard residential occupancy rules from the building and zoning code apply equally to STRs and traditional rentals.
Indiana Code 36-1-24 forbids local governments from imposing STR-specific occupancy caps that do not also apply to similar long-term residential uses. Indianapolis defaults to general residential occupancy standards: typically two persons per bedroom plus two additional, derived from HUD guidance and building code minimums for sleeping room area. Hosts should size their listings accordingly. Marion County health rules govern unsafe overcrowding regardless of rental type. Some HOA covenants impose stricter caps, and those remain enforceable as private contract terms.
Violations of generally applicable occupancy rules can result in code-enforcement notices, repair orders, and fines under Chapter 575 (Health and Hospital). HOA caps are enforced through private civil action.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis uses a plainly-audible standard combined with a 115 dB amplifier cap under Rev. Code Ch. 391, Article III rather than zone-based dBA limits.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis does not impose specific leaf blower hours, but Revised Code Sec. 391-302 prohibits operating any blower or power fan in a way that makes unreas...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Revised Code Chapter 391, Article III prohibits unreasonable noise from amplified sources and caps sound-producing instruments at 115 decibels m...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis adopts the Indiana Residential Code under Rev. Code Ch. 536, which requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around residential pools 24 inches deep or...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis does not require a fence permit, but Rev. Code Sec. 744-510 caps front-yard fences at 42 inches and rear/side-yard fences at 6 feet and a separa...
Indianapolis, IN
Marion County Rev. Code Sec. 591-421 and Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.5 require working smoke detectors in every Indianapolis dwelling, with landlords responsible...
See how Indianapolis's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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