Code Enforcement
Hours
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday
except state-observed holidays
Indiana Dept. of Homeland Security
Indiana Government Center-South, Room E208
302 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2739
Call us: 317-232-1407
Email us: codequestions@dhs.in.gov
Please allow 48 hours for a response, and do not leave multiple voicemails or send multiple emails.
Leave us feedback: Customer Satisfaction Survey
News/Updates
Emergency Orders Policy
IDHS and fire departments under Indiana Code 36-8-17-9 enforce fire safety laws. Enforcement may result in emergency orders being issued, and IDHS has established guidelines for these orders. View the policy
Code Enforcement Staff
(select for contacts)
Code Enforcement Staff (select for contacts)
About the Code Enforcement Section
The Code Enforcement Section provides construction and fire-safety related inspections, training and guidance throughout the state of Indiana. Code officials work with local building and fire departments to provide educational training, code interpretation and on-site inspection assistance.
In jurisdictions where there is not an approved building department, Code Enforcement inspects Class I structures for construction compliance. When a Construction Design Release is applied for through the Building Plan Review Section, Code Enforcement will conduct inspections during the construction process and provide a final inspection.
Agricultural buildings and residential structures (one- and two-family dwellings) fall under the jurisdiction of the local government entity. If there is no local government entity, then the local county government may provide inspections. Designated via Home Rule in state statute, residential dwellings fall to the responsibility of the local government entity if there is one. In the event there is no local, the residential issue becomes a private civil matter.
Apply for a Permit
Use the Public Safety Portal for permit applications and status requests relating to fireworks, outdoor event equipment and amusement and entertainment. Visit the Public Safety Portal Help page for tutorials on using the portal.
Public Safety Portal
Note: Use browsers Chrome or Edge; other browsers may experience issues.
Coming Soon: New Customer Service Platform
Code Enforcement operations will be transitioned to a new Salesforce-based customer service platform: IDHS Services Gateway. ...
At a Glance
- Phase 1 will involve all Code Enforcement operations currently conducted in PSP.
- Phase 1 will launch in 2023.
- All previous Access Indiana credentials remain valid.
- Code Enforcement business in the DFBS system is not impacted.
Business conducted within the Public Safety Portal (PSP) related to the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's (IDHS) Code Enforcement operations will be transitioned to a new Salesforce-based technology platform: IDHS Services Gateway. Once this transition is complete, any Code Enforcement customer activities that are currently performed in PSP will be discontinued, and customers will be required to use their Access Indiana accounts to perform those activities in IDHS Services Gateway. While planning is underway to eventually transfer all transactional business with IDHS to the Salesforce platform, the first phase of this project deals specifically with only the Code Enforcement operations now taking place in PSP, including but not limited to: amusement and entertainment permits, fireworks permits, and building inspections and violations.
Note: Any Code Enforcement operations or customer activity currently conducted in the DFBS system will continue unchanged for now.
The IDHS Services Gateway will provide IDHS with an array of exciting new tools to deliver the quality service and system dependability that represent the core mission of IDHS. We look forward to providing Hoosiers with an intuitive, user-friendly experience and offering solid engagement with IDHS and its staff through this new platform.
Thank you for your patience during this transition.
At a Glance
- Phase 1 will involve all Code Enforcement operations currently conducted in PSP.
- Phase 1 will launch in 2023.
- All previous Access Indiana credentials remain valid.
- Code Enforcement business in the DFBS system is not impacted.
Code Areas and Other Resources
- Child Care Facilities
The Code Enforcement Section inspects many different forms of child care facilities within Indiana and works with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to increase public knowledge and safety. Together, the two units form a partnership with child care facilities for the safety of Indiana’s children.
- Explosives, Blasters and Magazines
The Code Enforcement Section administers permits for explosive magazines, which are used to store explosive materials. The Hazmat Section handles licensing for blasters and operators.
- Explosives Magazine Permits (Code Enforcement)
- Blasters and Operators Licenses (Hazmat)
- Fire and Building Code Enforcement
IDHS code officials perform inspections related to Class I structures, amusement and entertainment permits, fireworks permits, haunted houses, industrialized buildings and mobile structures, registered child care ministries, registered day cares, outdoor event equipment, temporary stages and more.
- Fireworks
The Code Enforcement Section administers permits for fireworks manufacture, distribution, sales and supervised public displays.
- I-BEAM
The Code Enforcement Section oversees I-BEAM (Indiana Building Emergency Assessment and Monitoring Team). This team consists of trained and qualified volunteers within the Code Enforcement Section, other divisions within IDHS and volunteer design professionals.
- Outdoor Event Equipment
Outdoor event equipment, which is equipment not attached to a stage, is regulated and subject to inspection through IDHS. To apply for a permit for outdoor event equipment, use the Public Safety Portal.
- Professional Development
Certifications in the International Building Code and International Fire Code are required of all inspectors within the IDHS Code Enforcement Section within three years of hire. The section also works with and encourages professional development of code officials, local building officials, local fire officials and related professional organizations.
Classes
The Code Enforcement Section offers education classes for building and code enforcement officials.
- Funding Guidance Manual for 675 IAC 12-11
- Register for Fire & Building Code Classes (Search for classes under "International Code Council" in Acadis Portal)
- Schools
The Code Enforcement Section inspects schools in Indiana in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education. Schools can take many actions to reduce risk and be in compliance with applicable codes between visits by IDHS inspectors.
- Tents and Other Membrane Structures
Tents and other membrane structures, which are commonly made of tensioned fabric or foils, are regulated according to Indiana Administrative Code, Title 675, Article 22, Chapter 31 for fire prevention and safety.
Oftentimes, tents and membrane structures are set up for events like fairs and festivals, which require amusement and entertainment permits. The Anchorage Documentation form below should be included when applying for amusement and entertainment permits for events that include tents or other membrane structures.
IFC Chapter 31, 2014 Edition, Tents and Other Membrane Structures
The IDHS Division of Fire and Building Safety created a presentation to help event coordinators, vendors and code enforcement officials understand the requirements of Chapter 31 in the 2014 edition of the Indiana Fire Code.
Jump to:
- Amusement and Entertainment
The Code Enforcement Section administers permits for regulated places of amusement or entertainment, which are locations that host events and gatherings involving amusement and entertainment.
More about amusement and entertainment permits
Food Truck Resources
IDHS does not regulate or inspect food trucks. For informational purposes, the following fire safety requirements for food trucks are from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
- Industrialized Buildings and Mobile Structures
IDHS code officials inspect mobile structures and industrialized building systems.
- Underground Storage Tanks
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regulates underground storage tanks and also handles most of the process for tank system closures and removals.
IDHS handles certifications for those who install, upgrade and decommission the tanks. IDHS notification and approval is also required in some circumstances.