Exterior maintenance standards.
Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 537-31
in effectSec. 537-31. - Exterior maintenance standards.
The owner of a structure shall maintain the structure and premises in a safe and sanitary condition in accordance with the following standards:
(1) The premises, including abutting sidewalks, gutters and alleys, shall be kept free of high grass and weeds, rubbish, garbage and any material that creates a health, safety or fire hazard. Grass and weeds shall be kept below twelve (12) inches. All dead or broken trees, tree limbs or shrubbery shall be cut and removed from the premises.
(2) No owner shall accumulate or permit the accumulation of junk, trash and debris, boxes, lumber, scrap metal, junk vehicles or any other materials in such a manner that may provide rat harborage on the premises. Materials stored by the owner or permitted to be stored by the owner shall be stacked safely and elevated at least eighteen (18) inches above the ground.
(3) No person shall deposit or place any refuse or other hazardous materials in or adjacent to any road, street, alley or other public place unless it is in proper containers for collection.
(4) All open, uncovered or insecurely covered cisterns, cellars, wells, pits, excavations or vaults situated on any premises shall be properly secured or filled to grade with appropriate fill material.
(5) Every swimming or wading pool not currently in use shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair. Every pool shall be enclosed by a chain-link, ornamental or solid fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate. The fence, if erected from grade, shall be no less than five (5) feet in height, or if erected from the deck of an aboveground pool, the fence shall be not less than four (4) feet in height. The pool shall be equipped with a cover adequate to protect persons or animals from harm.
(6) Any swimming pool or wading pool not maintained in sound condition and good repair shall be removed, and the excavation shall be filled to grade with appropriate fill material.
(7) Every owner shall be responsible to ensure water from the premises is properly disposed of in such a manner that does not interfere with the operation of a private sewage disposal system, create standing water or otherwise create a hazard.
(8) No structure, vehicle, receptacle, yard, lot, premises or part thereof shall be constructed, made, used, maintained or operated in any manner causing or producing any health or safety hazard or permitted to become a rat harborage or to become conducive to a rat harborage.
(9) No structure, vehicle, receptacle, yard, lot, premises or part thereof shall be constructed, made, used, maintained or operated in any manner causing or producing any health or safety hazard or permitted to become a mosquito harborage or to become conducive to a mosquito harborage.
(10) Every foundation, roof, floor, exterior wall and ceiling shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads that normal use may cause to be placed thereon and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair. Every outside stair or step shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
(11) Every porch, stoop, deck, veranda, balcony and walk shall be maintained in sound condition and fit for its purpose.
(12) Structurally sound hand rails shall be provided on any exterior stairs containing four (4) risers or more. Porches, patios and balconies located more than three (3) feet higher than the adjacent areas shall have structurally sound protective guard rails or hand rails. All newly constructed protective railings shall have balusters placed at intervals of not more than four (4) inches apart or shall have other sufficient protective material between the protective railing and the flooring of tread so that a space of not more than four (4) inches is present. Existing protective guard railings shall be acceptable, provided they are maintained in sound condition and good repair.
(13) Every foundation, roof, exterior wall, door, skylight, window and door shall be weathertight, watertight, and damp-free and shall be kept in sound condition and good repair.
(14) Every window, exterior door, hatchway or similar device, which is not protected in accordance with section 537-41 or 537-42 of these standards, shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
a. Every exterior door and window that is capable of being opened and other potential means of ingress shall be equipped with hardware for locking and shall be secured so as to prevent unauthorized entry.
b. Every unprotected window which is broken, cracked or missing glass or glazing shall be replaced and maintained in good repair.
(15) All exterior wood surfaces, other than decay-resistant woods, shall be protected from the elements and decay by paint or other preservative material. All wood surfaces shall be cleaned and freed of flaking, loose or defective surfacing materials prior to painting or applying other preservative material.
(16) Every masonry wall, foundation and chimney shall be kept in sound, functional, weathertight condition and in good repair.
(17) Any tree, shrub or other type of vegetation growing in a location or manner which is likely to cause damage to any portion of a structure shall be trimmed or removed so that damage does not occur. Any damage that has occurred to the structure by overgrown trees, shrubs or other vegetation shall be repaired.
(18) Every owner shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rats and other vermin in or about the premises.
(19) Every structure and the premises on which it is located shall be maintained in a rat-free and rat-proof condition.
a. All openings in the exterior walls, foundations, doors, windows, sewers, pipes, drains, basements, ground and first floors and roofs shall be closed and made rat-proof in an approved manner.
b. Interior floors of basements, cellars and other areas in contact with the soil shall be made rat-proof in a manner approved by the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Indiana.
(20) Unless other provisions are made, gutters, leaders and downspouts shall be provided and maintained in good working condition so as to provide proper drainage of stormwater.
(21) Every premises shall be graded, drained free of standing water and maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe condition.
(22) All fences shall be maintained in sound condition and good repair.
(23) Accessory structures on the premises of a dwelling shall be structurally sound and be maintained in good repair and free of insects and rats. The exterior of such structures shall be made weather resistant through the use of decay-resistant materials, paint or other preservatives.
(24) Every door, window or other potential means of ingress of an accessory structure shall be secured so as to prevent unauthorized entry.
(25) No person shall apply a lead-based paint to any surface of a building or part thereof or to any other structure located on the premises.
(26) Every owner shall maintain in good repair all asbestos-containing materials on the premises. All asbestos-containing materials shall remain free from defects such as holes, cracks, tears and/or looseness that may allow the release of asbestos fibers into the environment.
(G.O. 135, 1991, § 1)
Source: Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County, Revised Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/in/indianapolis_-_marion_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIPUHEWE_CH537VABUST_ARTIIEXMAST_S537-31EXMASTFetched: 10/27/2026