How to get a short-term rental permit in Indianapolis, IN (2026)
Indianapolis requires Short-Term Rental Permit (Indianapolis Short-Term Rental Permit Program, Revised Code Chapter 852) — the fee is $150, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental Permit (Indianapolis Short-Term Rental Permit Program, Revised Code Chapter 852) |
| Permit fee | $150 |
| Renewal | Annual |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. STRs are allowed in any zone that permits residential use. Indiana Code 36-1-24-8 makes owner-occupied STRs a permitted residential use that no zoning ordinance may disallow; non-owner-occupied STRs may in theory be subject to a special exception under IC 36-1-24-9, but Indianapolis does not impose one — Sec. 852-106(1) states short-term rentals are not required to obtain development plan approval. Units must be legally built dwellings (primary building per Sec. 740-202 or secondary dwelling unit per Sec. 743-306(GG)); RVs, mobile homes, travel trailers, automobiles, and shipping containers are prohibited structure types. No overlay districts restrict STRs.
- 2
Apply for the Short-Term Rental Permit (Indianapolis Short-Term Rental Permit Program, Revised Code Chapter 852)
Submit the Short-Term Rental Permit (Indianapolis Short-Term Rental Permit Program, Revised Code Chapter 852) application to Indianapolis and pay the $150 fee. One-time $150 fee per unit for the initial permit (and again for re-issuance after a revocation). Annual renewals are free — Indiana Code 36-1-24-13 prohibits charging any renewal fee and caps the permit fee at $150. The city's third-party payment processor adds 3.2% for credit card payments or $0.95 for e-check.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Indianapolis. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Indianapolis changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
Watch Indianapolis for changes →Free monthly digest · same-day alerts from $5/mo · cancel anytime
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Verified July 21, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Indianapolis before applying.