Pool Permit in Indianapolis, Indiana

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a pool permit in Indianapolis?

DBNS states that in-ground and above-ground swimming pools and hot tubs require structural, improvement location and drainage permits like any other structure, then publishes two carve-outs. An above-ground pool or hot tub 30 inches or less deep and 15 feet or less at its widest points needs no structural permit, and one 18 inches deep or less and 15 feet or less in diameter needs no improvement location permit either, so a small wading pool inside both limits needs nothing. The zoning ordinance states the requirement from the other side: "No pool or hot tub that has more than 200 square feet in water surface area shall be installed before an Improvement Location Permit has been obtained." Whatever the size, the pool may not sit in a front yard or closer than 5 feet to a rear lot line, and the pool area must be enclosed by a safety pool cover meeting 675 IAC 20-4-27(c) or by a fence at least 5 feet high at grade (36 inches on the raised deck or top wall of an above-ground pool) with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Above-ground pool or hot tub depth, for a pool 15 feet or less in diameter, at which an improvement location permit becomes required. Always confirm with the office before starting.

How much does a pool permit cost in Indianapolis?

DBNS Fee Schedule (Permits, as of 1.5.2026): Improvement Location Permit - Residential (ILP), "Other improvements associated with single- and two- family," $32.00 per application plus $108.00; Structural Permit - Residential (STR), "Construction or placement of, or additions to, accessory Class 2 structure," $40.00 per application, review fee $150.00 for 1,000 sq ft or less, issuance fee $300.00 as printed for 200 to 1,000 sq ft; Drainage Permit (DRN) $40.00 per application. See the official fee schedule for current amounts.

How long does a pool permit take in Indianapolis?

DBNS target for initial review is 10 business days for remodels, additions and similar residential projects. Times can vary by workload and project scope, so confirm with the office.

Where do you apply for a pool permit in Indianapolis?

You can apply through the Indianapolis permit portal or contact the City of Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (DBNS) directly. The links are listed on this page.

Can a homeowner pull a pool permit themselves in Indianapolis?

Under Indiana law (IC 36-7-8-3(a); IC 36-7-8-3(d); IC 25-28.5-1-11; IC 25-28.5-1-32(5)): Indiana is unusually permissive toward the homeowner doing the work. IC 36-7-8-3(d) provides that a county building standards ordinance adopted under that section does not apply to private homes that are built by individuals and used for their own occupancy, although the onsite sewage system still must comply with state law. That exemption is narrow: it reaches county ordinances for unincorporated areas under IC 36-7-8, not a city or town permit ordinance, so a homeowner inside municipal limits still answers to the local building department. On the trades, Indiana licenses plumbers at the state level but exempts the homeowner: IC 25-28.5-1-11 makes it unlawful to act as a plumbing contractor or journeyman plumber without a state license, while IC 25-28.5-1-32(5) excludes the owner occupant of a dwelling of eight or fewer residential units who is installing, altering, or repairing the plumbing system. Electricians are not licensed by the state at all: Indiana Code Title 25, which houses the professions and occupations licensing chapters, contains no electrician licensing chapter, and IC 36-7-8-3(a) instead lets a county adopt electrical standards by ordinance, so electrical licensing in Indiana is a local matter. Confirm how Indianapolis applies this before you apply.