Height exceptions and yard encroachments.

Indianapolis-Marion County Revised Code § 744-204

in effect

Sec. 744-204. - Height exceptions and yard encroachments. The following exceptions to height limits and encroachments into required setbacks and yard areas are allowed as indicated in Table 744-204-1: Encroachments and Exceptions. Table 744-204-1: Encroachments and Exceptions Structure or Feature | Conditions or Limits Encroachments into Required Yard or Setback Accessory boat dock, residential | No setback required from lot lines along the water. Accessory clotheslines, play equipment | May encroach into the side or rear yard setback. Architectural features (sills, belt courses, eaves, cornices), awnings and canopies, bay windows, gutters and downspouts | May encroach no more than 4 ft. into any side or rear setback in the Industrial Districts; no more than 18 in. into any yard or setback in all other Districts. Balconies and porches associated with a multi-family residential development project | May encroach up to 5 feet into the required perimeter yard and up to 5 feet into the required distance between buildings. Chimneys and flues | May encroach not more than 2 ft. into any required front or side yard setback; however, not into a right-of-way. Composting bin (personal) | May encroach into required rear yard setback or required side yard setback. Driveways, Wheelchair Ramps, Walkways | May encroach into and cross through a required front, side, rear, perimeter or transitional yard in the most direct manner possible to connect a right-of-way line and setback line. Enclosed vestibule or fixed canopy with a floor area of not more than 40 sq. ft. | May encroach not more than 4 ft. into front setback; however, not into a right-of-way. Fences and walls meeting the standards of Section 744-510 Fences and walls | Fences and walls may be located up to a lot line. Further, in Dwelling Districts and Mixed-Use Districts, fences may be located within 1 ft. of sidewalk in the public right-of-way along local and collector streets except if that location encroaches into the right-of-way. Fuel pumps or pump islands that do not have a canopy | May not be located closer than 15 ft. from any right-of-way or closer than 50 ft. from any Dwelling District Boundary. Industrial facilities along a railroad or rail spur | No setback required from a railroad or rail spur. Minor Residential Feature that is less than 18 in. above grade level, with the exception of any attached railings | Except as listed for specific accessory structures, Minor Residential Feature may be located in any of the following areas that are not within an easement: (a) Not more than 6 ft. into front yard from the facade, or (b) No closer than 5 ft. to any rear lot line, or (c) No closer than 2 ft. to any side lot line. Minor Residential Structure, Temporary placement less than 10 consecutive workdays | Except as listed for specific accessory structures, may be temporarily located between a street and any façade of a primary building facing that street. Outdoor Seating or Patio (nonresidential) | May be located in a required yard, but not in the public right-of-way without a right-of-way permit nor within a transitional yard. Rain barrel or similar water collection system | May encroach into required rear yard setback or required side yard setback. Rain garden | May encroach into all front, side and rear yard setbacks and into all transitional yard setbacks. Renewable Energy Facility, Solar or Geothermal | May encroach into the side or rear yard setback. Renewable Energy Facility, Wind | May encroach into required rear yards. Satellite Dish Antenna | May not encroach into required front, side, or rear yards or be located forward of the front line of the primary structure. Secondary means of escape, unenclosed or lattice-enclosed stairs, fire escapes, and balconies opening upon fire towers | May not encroach more than 5 ft. into any side or rear yard setback, except as required to comply with fire code or Americans with Disabilities Act. Shelter or canopy at defined transit stops | May encroach into right-of-way, but must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act Swimming pool or hot tub, residential | May not be located closer than 5 ft. to rear lot line. Wireless Communication Facility, Wall-mounted and roof-mounted in D-A, D-S, D-1, D-2, D-3, D-4, D-5 and D-5II Districts (Category 5) | May not extend more than 2 ft. from the wall, or above the roof line; however, not into a right-of-way. Wheelchair ramp | May be located in a required yard or transitional yard, but not in the public right-of-way without a right-of-way permit Exceptions to Building Height Limits Amateur radio antenna | May be up to 75 feet in the rear or side yard or on the primary building. Barns, Silos, and similar agricultural outbuildings associated with an agricultural use | Unlimited height if zoned D-A and on a site over 3-acres. Chimneys; Flagpoles; Ornamental towers; Religious use spires, towers, belfries, monuments; Roof structures for the housing of elevators, stairways, air conditioning apparatus, cooling towers, ventilating fans, skylights, or similar equipment to operate and maintain the structure; Television and radio antennas; Theatrical stage tower or scenery lofts; | May not extend more than 25 feet above the roof line. Game Court fences, residential | May not exceed 10 ft. Parapets | May not extend more than 4 feet above the maximum building height Power Generating Facility, Local, Wind Generation | May not extend more than 30 feet above the maximum building height Renewable Energy Facility, Solar | May not extend more than 18 inches above the maximum building height Renewable Energy Facility, Wind | May not extend more than 10 feet above the maximum building height Secondary Dwelling Unit located above a garage | May be up to 29 ft.; however, in no instance may the height exceed the height of the primary building Wireless Communication Facility, Wall-mounted and roof-mounted in D-6, D-6II, D-7, D-8, D-9, D-10, C-1, C-3, C-S, CBD-3, I-1, SU limited (Category 4) | May not extend more than 10 ft. above the wall or roof line Wireless Communication Facility in C-4 and C-5 Districts (Category 3) | Wall-mounted or roof-mounted may not extend more than 10 ft. above the wall or roof line. Freestanding WCF located 500 or more feet from a Protected District may be 90 ft. in height. Freestanding WCF located less than 500 feet from a Protected District may not extend more than 5 ft. above the maximum building height. (G.O. 64, 2015, § 2; G.O. 37, 2018, § 9; G.O. 23, 2023, § 7)

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_ARTIILOBUDI_S744-204HEEXYAENFetched: 10/27/2026