What's Required in Indianapolis
- No structural permit when no part of the deck floor is more than 30 in above finished grade (Sec. 536-201(b)(15)); assessor notice within 30 days is mandatory instead
- Improvement Location Permit ($32 + $108) for any deck 18 in or higher above grade; decks under 18 in are exempt from the ILP
- Deck over 30 in: Class 2 structural permit ($40 application + plan review + issuance; $290–$490 by subtype) plus the ILP
- Plans: site plan at 1 in = 30 ft with deck dimensions and setback distances; deck and covered porch details; stair section with handrail, tread and riser dimensions
- Decks 18 in or higher must be at least 5 ft from the rear lot line and meet district front and side setbacks (Zoning Ord. 743-306.A.4)
- Footings inspected before concrete; framing inspected before covering; final by Completion Card
- Owner-builders file a Statement of Intent; hired builders must be listed Marion County contractors
- No drainage permit unless the project disturbs one acre or more (since May 1, 2025)
- Certificate of appropriateness required in IHPC historic districts before exterior work
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Deck in Indianapolis?
It depends on two heights. The Building Standards and Procedures (Sec. 536-201(b)(15)) exempt a deck from the structural permit when no part of the floor is more than 30 inches above finished grade, provided you comply with Sec. 536-215: the builder, or the owner if there is no contractor, must either get a permit or send a notice of the deck to the Marion County Assessor within 30 days of finishing it, giving the township, address, owner, approximate size and the contractor's name and listing number. The zoning side uses a lower line: the ordinance defines decks or patios 18 inches or greater in height as minor residential structures, and the Improvement Location Permit (ILP) is waived only for minor residential structures under 18 inches (handrails excluded). So a deck 18 to 30 inches off the ground needs an ILP but no structural permit; a deck over 30 inches needs both.
Indianapolis Deck Permit Rules by Scenario
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-level deck or platform under 18 in above grade | None (assessor notice within 30 days) | Sec. 536-201(b)(15); Zoning Ord. 740-801.A.3.h |
| Deck 18 to 30 in above grade | ILP ($140); no structural permit | Minor residential structure; assessor notice still required |
| Deck with any part of the floor over 30 in above grade | ILP ($140) + structural permit ($290–$490) | Sec. 536-201(b)(15); 2026 fee schedule |
| Replacing deck boards or railings on the same frame | None | Ordinary maintenance and repair; fixture replacement (b)(4), (b)(5) |
| Rebuilding or replacing the frame, beams, posts or footings of a deck over 30 in | Structural permit | Only maintenance that does not reduce performance is exempt |
| Deck closer than 5 ft to the rear line or inside a side setback (18 in or higher) | Not allowed without a variance ($550 + $29) | Zoning Ord. 743-306.A.4; DMD fee schedule |
| Adding a roof over the deck (covered porch) | ILP + structural permit; footings per Table R403.2 | Homeowner's Guide, porches and carports |
How Much Does a Deck Permit Cost in Indianapolis?
The Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) switched to a flat fee schedule on January 5, 2026. The ILP for single-family accessory buildings and additions is a $32 application fee plus $108, so $140. The structural permit is where the range comes from: the schedule prices a new accessory Class 2 structure at $40 application, $150 plan review and $300 issuance ($490), and a miscellaneous residential permit at $40, $100 and $150 ($290); it has no line that says "deck," and the accessory issuance fee is written for 200 to 1,000 square feet, so DBNS assigns the subtype when it reviews your application. Budget $490 and treat $290 as the best case. A deck attached to the house could also be billed as an addition to the primary structure ($40 + $175 + $750), which is why the plan legend should describe the deck clearly. Application and review fees are due at submittal and non-refundable. There is no drainage permit for a deck: since May 1, 2025 the city issues one only for projects that disturb an acre or more.
What Do the Plans Need to Show?
For the ILP, a site plan at 1 inch = 30 feet or larger with every existing structure, the deck's dimensions and its distance to each property line. For the structural permit, the Residential Plan Submittal Checklist lists "deck and covered porch details" and a stair cross-section giving handrail height, treads, risers and clearance. The city's example stair detail shows a handrail 34 to 38 inches high, a 36 inch guard, risers no more than 8 1/4 inches and treads at least 9 inches, and its example foundation sections carry footings 30 inches deep for frost. Review is to the 2020 Indiana Residential Code. A deck 18 inches or higher is a minor residential structure for zoning, so it must sit at least 5 feet from the rear lot line and inside the district's front and side setbacks, and it counts against the lot's open-space requirement.
Who Can Pull the Permit and What Gets Inspected?
An owner may take out the structural permit for a deck they build themselves (file a Statement of Intent); a hired builder must be a listed Marion County contractor and pull it under their own listing. Apply for the ILP and the structural permit as separate applications in the Accela Citizens Access portal, upload PDFs, and pay the application and review fees. Once issued, request a footing inspection before you pour (an inspector comes within two business hours for footings, 48 hours otherwise), a framing inspection, and a final by submitting the Completion Card. The permit lapses if work has not started within 365 days.
How to Get a Deck Permit in Indianapolis
Measure the finished floor height
Under 18 in: nothing but the assessor notice. 18 to 30 in: ILP only. Over 30 in anywhere along the deck: ILP plus structural permit.
Draw the site plan and deck details
Site plan at 1 in = 30 ft with distances to each lot line; framing plan, footing size and 30 in depth, ledger or post detail, and a stair section.
Apply in Accela Citizens Access
File the ILP and the structural permit separately, upload PDFs, attach a Statement of Intent if you are building it yourself, and pay the $32 and $40 application fees plus plan review.
Call for the footing and framing inspections
Request inspections through the portal or 317-327-5525; footings are inspected within two business hours, other stages within 48.
Close the permit and notify the assessor
Submit the Completion Card for the final inspection. If you built an exempt low deck instead, send the assessor notice within 30 days.