Indianapolis Kitchen Remodel Permit

What's Required in Indianapolis

• Structural permit required for any layout changes or wall removal
• Electrical permit required for new circuits, outlets, and specialized lighting
• Plumbing permit required for moving sinks, gas lines, or dishwashers
• Mechanical permit required for new range hood venting or exhaust systems
• Countertop outlets must be GFCI protected and spaced per current NEC code
• Smoke detectors must be brought to current code in all adjacent rooms during remodel

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen in Indianapolis?

It depends on what you're changing, not on the word “remodel.” Indianapolis lists kitchen remodels as permit-required work, and in practice the permit attaches to the plumbing, electrical, and structural scope — not to cosmetic swaps. Permit fees typically run $300–$800 (project-based), issued by the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services. A remodel that moves the sink, adds circuits, relocates the range, or opens a wall is firmly in permit territory — and often means separate trade permits rather than one ticket.

Kitchen Work That Usually Doesn't Need a Permit

The cosmetic layer is generally yours to change freely: swapping cabinets in the same footprint, new countertops, flooring, backsplash, paint, and replacing appliances that use existing hookups. The moment the project touches what's behind the finishes — supply lines, drains, gas, new circuits, walls, or venting — it stops being cosmetic in the city's eyes. If your remodel straddles the line, describe the full scope to the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services up front; retrofitting a permit onto half-finished work is the expensive path.

How to Get a Kitchen Remodel Permit in Indianapolis

Frequently Asked Questions