ADU Regulations in Indiana (IN)
Indiana is rated Difficult for ADU construction with an ADU-friendliness score of 30/100 (Restrictive). Indiana does not have a statewide ADU law — regulations are set entirely by local jurisdictions. Owner must reside on the property. Additional parking may be required. Indiana has no statewide ADU legislation. ADU permissibility depends entirely on local zoning, which is generally restrictive in most jurisdictions. Indianapolis and Bloomington have some ADU provisions. Most suburban and rural areas lack ADU-specific regulations.
Full ADU Regulations Summary for Indiana
| ADUs Allowed | Yes |
| Statewide ADU Law | No |
| Maximum ADU Size | Set locally |
| Owner Occupancy Required | Yes |
| Parking Required | Yes |
| Minimum Setback | Set locally |
| Permitting Timeline | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Impact Fees | Varies by jurisdiction |
| Long-Term Rental Allowed | Yes |
| Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Allowed | Yes |
| Ease of Building | Difficult |
ADU Regulations by City in Indiana
ADU rules can vary by city even within the same state. Without a statewide ADU law, Indiana cities set their own rules, and policies can differ significantly. Below are ADU details for 3 cities in Indiana.
Indianapolis
ADUs allowed in some dwelling districts with conditional approval. Owner occupancy required. Maximum 40% of primary dwelling size.
Bloomington
ADUs permitted in residential zones. Bloomington has relatively permissive ADU rules for Indiana.
Fort Wayne
Limited ADU provisions. Requires variance or conditional use permit in most zones.
How Indiana Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of Indiana with five states that have similar ADU-friendliness scores. This comparison helps illustrate where Indiana stands nationally.
| State | Score | Statewide Law | Parking Req? | Owner Occ? | Ease |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana (IN) | 30 | No | Yes | Yes | Difficult |
| Alabama (AL) | 30 | No | Yes | Yes | Difficult |
| Delaware (DE) | 30 | No | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
| Georgia (GA) | 30 | No | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
| Idaho (ID) | 30 | No | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
| Illinois (IL) | 30 | No | Yes | Yes | Moderate |
Frequently Asked Questions About ADUs in Indiana
Can I build an ADU in Indiana?
Yes, ADUs are allowed in Indiana. However, Indiana does not have a statewide ADU law, so the specific rules depend on your city or county's zoning code. Some cities are more permissive than others. The ease of building is rated "Difficult" with a friendliness score of 30/100.
Do I need to live on the property to have an ADU in Indiana?
Yes, Indiana generally requires owner occupancy — the property owner must live either in the main house or the ADU. This means you cannot rent out both units simultaneously. Note: individual cities may have their own owner-occupancy rules, so check your local zoning.
How big can an ADU be in Indiana?
Indiana does not set a statewide maximum ADU size — this is determined by your local jurisdiction. Common local limits range from 600 to 1,200 square feet. Check your city's zoning code for the specific maximum.
How long does it take to get an ADU permit in Indiana?
The permitting timeline in Indiana is: Varies by jurisdiction. Without a statewide mandate, permitting timelines depend entirely on your local jurisdiction's review process.
Who decides ADU rules in Indiana?
Your city or county — Indiana has no statewide ADU statute, so zoning boards set the rules jurisdiction by jurisdiction. We track 3 Indiana cities above (including Indianapolis); if yours isn't listed, the planning or zoning office is the authoritative source.
Check ADU Rules for Your City
Use our ADU regulations lookup tool to find the specific rules for your city in Indiana, or browse all 50 states to compare ADU regulations across the country.