Permit Required? Sometimes Required
Typical Fee Range $140–$225 Includes $32 app fee and $108 ILP; structural fee of $42–$193 added if over thresholds.
Fee Method Flat rate
Apply Online Apply at Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services →

What's Required in Indianapolis

  • Improvement Location Permit (ILP) required for all accessory structures
  • Structural building permit required for any shed exceeding 200 square feet
  • Must maintain setbacks from property lines (typically 3–5 feet; check specific zoning)
  • Max height for accessory structures is generally 15 feet in residential zones
  • Sheds under 120 sq ft without a foundation may be exempt from structural permits but still need ILP
  • Any electrical or plumbing work in the shed ALWAYS requires trade permits

What Size Shed Needs a Permit in Indianapolis

Whether you need a building permit for a shed in Indianapolis usually comes down to size. In Indianapolis, the cutoff is 200 square feet: a simple one-story shed at or under that size generally doesn’t need a building permit, while anything that exceeds it does. A popular 10x12 shed (120 sq ft) comes in under the limit, so it typically doesn’t need a building permit. Larger sheds, and any shed with electrical, plumbing, or a permanent foundation, almost always need a permit regardless of footprint.

Building a Shed Without a Permit in Indianapolis

Even when a shed is small enough to skip a building permit in Indianapolis, “no permit” doesn’t mean “no rules.” A permit-exempt shed generally must stay at or under the 200-square-foot limit, sit on a non-permanent base (sheds on skids or a gravel pad are treated more leniently than those on a poured foundation), and have no electrical or plumbing run to it. Crucially, zoning setbacks still apply — your shed usually has to sit a minimum distance from property lines and other structures, and that holds even for a permit-free shed. Confirm both the size exemption and the setback distance with the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services before you build.

How to Get a Shed Permit in Indianapolis

1

Step 1: Size Check

Confirm if your shed exceeds 200 sq ft for structural permit needs.

2

Step 2: Site Plan

Draft a site plan showing distances from property lines and house.

3

Step 3: Submit online

Apply for an ILP on the Accela portal ($108 fee).

4

Step 4: Pay Fees

Pay total fees ($140 minimum) via the ACA portal.

5

Step 5: Final Review

Schedule a final structural inspection if a building permit was required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, an ILP is required for all sheds; building permits start over 200 sq ft.
Minimum cost is $140 for small sheds; over 200 sq ft adds structural fees.
Varies by zone, but typically 3–5 feet from side and rear lines.
In Indianapolis, you can build a shed up to 200 square feet without a building permit; anything over that needs one. The exemption usually also requires no permanent foundation and no electrical or plumbing, and zoning setbacks from property lines still apply even without a permit.
Often not, if it’s also within Indianapolis’s 200 sq ft limit and has no utilities — many jurisdictions treat a shed on skids or a gravel pad as movable rather than a permanent building. A poured foundation or any electrical/plumbing typically triggers a permit. Confirm with the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services; zoning setbacks apply either way.