Loading requirements.
Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 744-405
in effectSec. 744-405. - Loading requirements.
All off-street loading facilities accessory to uses in the Commercial, Mixed-Use, and Industrial Districts shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the following regulations:
A. Amount of loading space required.
1. Off-street loading space shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Table 744-405-1 and each required loading space shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 15 feet.
2. No space used for a required parking space may be used for a required loading or stacking space.
Table 744-405-1: Required Loading Spaces
Property Use | Required Number of Loading Spaces | Minimum Berth Dimensions (ft.)
Retail sales having an aggregate gross floor area of:
Less than 15,000 sf | No loading space | N/A
15,001 to 25,000 sf | 1 | 30 × 12
25,001 to 60,000 sf | 2 | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
60,001 to 120,000 sf | 3
120,001 to 200,000 sf | 4
Greater than 200,000 sf | 4 plus 1 per 100,000 sf or fraction thereof over 200,000 | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
Indoor recreation and entertainment; hotel, motel, or hostel; and offices, having an aggregate gross floor area of:
Less than 15,000 sf | No loading space | N/A
15,001 to 40,000 sf | 1 | 30 × 12
Greater than 40,000 sf | 1 plus 1 per 60,000 sf or fraction thereof over 40,000 sf | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
Heavy services; manufacturing; waste and recycling; and wholesale distribution or storage, having an aggregate gross floor area of:
Less than 25,000 sf | No loading space | N/A
25,001 to 40,000 sf | 1 | 30 × 12
40,001 to 100,000 sf | 2 | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
100,001 to 200,000 sf | 3
Greater than 200,000 sf | 3 plus 1 per 200,000 sf or fraction thereof over 200,000 sf
Buildings in the CBD-1, CBD-2, or CBD-3Districts with an aggregate gross floor area of:
Less than 10,000 sf | No loading space | N/A
10,001 to 100,000 sf | 1 | 30 × 12
100,001 to 400,000 sf | 2 | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
400,001 to 800,000 sf | 3 | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
Greater than 800,000 sf | 4 plus 1 per 400,000 sf or fraction thereof over 800,000 sf | First berth 30 × 12; additional berths 55 × 12
B. Access to and from loading area.
1. The loading spaces, aisles, and vehicular circulation and maneuvering for loading areas shall be designed and constructed at not less than the recommended specifications contained in Architectural Graphic Standards, Current Edition, Ramsey/Sleeper, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, New York (a copy of which is on file in the office of the division of planning and is incorporated by reference and made a part of the Zoning Ordinance).
2. Each required off-street loading space shall open directly upon a hard-surfaced aisle, driveway or alley of such width and design as to provide safe and efficient means of vehicular access to such loading space.
3. Alleys may be used for vehicular circulation and maneuvering.
4. In the CBD-1 District, each off-street loading area shall be located with direct vehicular access to an alley only, and to least interfere with traffic movements, and so that no vehicle or part of a vehicle will protrude into an alley, street or public right-of-way.
5. Plans and specifications for: a) the width of driveways; b) location of driveways from the nearest point of two intersecting street rights-of-way; and c) the design and location of frontage lanes and passing blisters shall be submitted to, and written approval obtained from, the Bureau of License and Permit Services of the department of code enforcement. Plans and specifications shall comply with the applicable standards and regulations of such division/department.
6. Off-street loading areas may have direct access from any streets, except:
a. The north side of New York Street between Delaware Street and Capitol Avenue;
b. The south side of Maryland Street between Delaware Street and Capitol Avenue;
c. The west side of Capitol Avenue between Maryland Street and New York Street;
d. The east side of Delaware Street between Maryland Street and New York Street;
e. North Meridian Street within the CBD-3 District;
f. North Pennsylvania Street within the CBD-3 District; and
g. The north side of East and West New York Street within the CBD-3 District.
C. Location and setback.
1. All required off-street loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use served, unless one of the following exceptions applies.
2. If the lot and the adjoining property are located within the same industrial park or integrated commercial center and maneuverability areas are subject to a recorded easement agreement allowing such maneuverability, the loading space may be located anywhere within the industrial park or integrated commercial center.
3. If the lot is located within the CBD-1, CBD-2, CBD-3 or MU-4 District:
a. All off-street loading areas shall be located within 200 feet of the lot served.
b. Off-street loading facilities for separate lots may be provided collectively if the collective located area is located within 200 feet of all establishments served by the required spaces
c. If a collective loading area is used for two buildings or establishments, the number of spaces required in the collective loading area shall be determined by applying Table 744-405-1 to the combined gross floor area in the two buildings or establishments served by the spaces.
d. If a collective loading area is used for three or more buildings or establishments, the number of spaces required in the collective loading area shall be determined by applying Table 744-405-1 to 80% of the combined gross floor area in the three or more buildings or establishments served by the spaces.
4. No open loading area or loading space shall be located in a required minimum front, side, or rear yard or a required transitional yard.
5. No open loading area or loading space shall be located in the area between the front lot line and the front line of the primary building.
6. Off-street loading spaces may be open to the sky, covered or enclosed in a building. If a building is constructed or used for loading, it shall be treated as any other structure and subject to all use and development standards of the applicable Districts in addition to the requirements of this Article IV.
D. Use of loading area. No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with loading facilities, except for emergencies developing during occupation of the loading facilities.
E. Surface of loading area. All loading areas shall be hard-surfaced to provide a durable and dust-free surface. The surface shall be maintained in good condition and free of weeds, dirt, trash and debris and shall be graded, constructed and drained to prevent detrimental flow of water onto sidewalks, except that:
1. A gravel surface may be used for a temporary period not exceeding one year after commencement of the use for which the loading area is provided, where ground and weather conditions are not immediately suitable for permanent hard surfacing.
2. For any facility in the Metro Context Area that is not located in the Wellfield Protection Zoning District, a gravel surface may be used permanently for loading and storage areas in association with industries that handle liquids or chemicals that create a potential hazard if containment should be lost and where absorption into the ground through a loose surface material would eliminate or alleviate that hazard.
F. Lighting of loading area. See Chapter 744, Article VI Street and Exterior Lighting
G. Landscaping and screening of loading area. See Chapter 744, Article V Landscaping and Screening.
(G.O. 64, 2015, § 2; G.O. 37, 2018, § 10)
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_CH744DEST_ARTIVPALODRRO_S744-405LOREFetched: 10/27/2026