Marion County operates under a consolidated city-county government structure known as Unigov, where the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services handles most permitting for the entire county. While some smaller incorporated towns exist, the vast majority of building and zoning authority is centralized under the Indianapolis-Marion County jurisdiction. Floodplain management and historic preservation overlays are strictly enforced by the Department of Metropolitan Development.
The county enforces a specific 'Unsafe Building Law' that allows for expedited demolition or repair orders for structures deemed hazardous to public health or safety.
How this fits with the state
The state authority here is Indiana Professional Licensing Agency; local building departments. The county file does not replace that — it adds the permit office, local overlays, and the actual filing path.
Source · City-by-city; Indianapolis and the Marion County Department of Business and Neighborhood Services (BNS) manage permits for the consolidated city-county area.Last verified · 05 / 2026