Indy Gateways

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In order to obtain approvals or permits for any type of development or improvement project, certain reviews may need to be performed. The following two tables generally outline the key requirements which will vary depending on whether the project is located on public or private property and whether it is located within an historic district and/or the Regional Center. It must be emphasized that this information is only to be used as a general reference tool. For specific authority, you should consult the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County Indianapolis/Marion, Indiana. Online at: www.municode.com. Zoning Ordinances are Chapters 730-735.

Abbreviations For Table Below:

COA = Certificate of Appropriateness/Authorization (approval process time: 5-6+ weeks)
Encroachment = an intrusion by an inanimate object on, under, over, or upon the public right-of-way. (approval process time: 3+ days)
ILP = Improvement Location Permit, commonly referred to as a zoning permit (approval process time: 1-21 days, depending on complexity)
IDI = Indianapolis Downtown, Inc.
IHPC = Indianapolis Historic Preservation Commission. IHPC has jurisdiction of 14 locally-designated historic and conservation districts, as well as several individual properties.
IPALCO = Indianapolis Power & Light Co.
KIB = Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
MSPC = Meridian Street Preservation Commission. MSPC has jurisdiction of the state-designated preservation area extending along North Meridian Street from 40th Street to Kessler Boulevard.
Regional Center = An Overlay Zone that generally encompasses all property within the downtown inner loop of I-65/I-70 and White River as well as 2 blocks either side of North Meridian Street up to 30th Street. (approval process time: 3+ days, depending on complexity)
Variance = Permission to deviate from the standards of the zoning ordinance. Process requires legal notice to be sent and a public ring. (approval process time: 5-6+ weeks)

Helpful Information can also be found on-line on the City of Indianapolis website, www.IndyGov.org

Online mapping tools: http://www.indygov.org/gis
Zoning of a parcel of property: http://imaps.indygov.org/Zoning/
Land Use Development application forms: http://www.indygov.org/cp/cpforms.htm
Research permits: http://www.indygov.org/dmd/permits/index.html
Research zoning & land use petitions: http://www.indygov.org/ciips/servlet/CiipsMain
Hearing schedules for the MDC, BZA, and Plat Committee: http://www6.indygov.org/dmd/events.htm

Located on Private Property
	In a Historic District	In Regional Center; Not in Historic District	Not in Regional Center; Not in Historic District
Sign Any structure, fixture, placard, announcement, declaration, device, demonstration or insignia used for direction, information, identification or to advertise or promote any business, product, goods, activity, services or any interests.	• COA required. • ILP (sign permit) required. Refer to the Sign Regulations: www.municode.com	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP (sign permit) required. Refer to the Sign Regulations: www.municode.com	• ILP (sign permit) required. Refer to the Sign Regulations: www.municode.com
Lighting (Depends upon the feature, may need a variance, etc.)	• COA required. • ILP required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP required.	• Shall not cause glare creating a hazard perceptible from any point beyond the lot lines.
Gateway Features (Needs to be defined) (Depends upon the feature, may need a variance)	• COA required. • ILP required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP required.
Works of Art Three-dimensional works of art (statuary, sculptures) and two-dimensional works of art (i.e., murals) that are clearly artistic in nature and which do not promote commercial interests.	• COA required if taller than 6 feet. • ILP not required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP not required.	• ILP not required.
Mural A design or representation painted, drawn or similarly applied on the exterior surface of a structure and which does not advertise a business, product, service or activity.	• COA required. • ILP not required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP not required.	• ILP not required.
Banners Any temporary sign of light-weight fabric or similar material mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges by a permanent frame. Flags of any government or political subdivision shall not be considered banners.	• COA required. • Regulated as a wall sign; One sign per tenant and maximum 20% of lower level façade. • ILP required. Refer to the Sign Regulations: www.municode.com	• Regional Center Approval required. • Usually Discouraged. • Regulated as a wall sign; One sign per tenant and maximum 20% of lower level façade. • ILP required. Refer to the Sign Regulations: www.municode.com	• Banners attached securely to the wall of a building on all four corners are considered a wall sign; and as such are subject to the Sign Regulations and require an ILP. Refer to Sign Regulations for size limitations. • All other uses of banners are prohibited.
Temporary promotional banners (on street light standards) Located on permanent banner poles or on street light standards structurally modified to accommodate banners, erected by or sanctioned by the City of Indianapolis. Only such banners promoting community activities, cultural or sports programs important to the city’s image or economy; or not-for-profit organizations serving the community.	• Individual promotional banners displayed for a maximum of 30 days. • Banners shall not exceed 30 inches wide and 85 inches long. • COA required for the Banner program, indicating location of permanent banner poles or street light standards and size. Once a banner program has been approved, individual temporary banners shall not require additional approval. • ILP not required. • IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented.	• Individual promotional banners displayed for a maximum of 30 days. • Banners shall not exceed 30 inches wide and 85 inches long. • Regional Center approval required for the Banner program, indicating location of permanent banner poles or street light standards and size. Once a banner program has been approved, individual temporary banners shall not require additional approval. • ILP not required. • IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented.	• Individual promotional banners displayed for a maximum of 30 days. • Banners shall not exceed 30 inches wide and 85 inches long. • ILP not required. • IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented.
Temporary signs for Grand openings	• Limit of 32-sq. ft. per sign. • May be erected no more than 10 days prior to the grand opening and shall be removed no more than 5 days after the event. In no case shall such signs remain on the premises for more than 30 days. • COA required. • ILP not required.	• Limit of 32-sq. ft. per sign. • May be erected no more than 10 days prior to the grand opening and shall be removed no more than 5 days after the event. In no case shall such signs remain on the premises for more than 30 days. • Regional Center approval Required. • ILP not required.	• Limit of 32-sq. ft. per sign. • May be erected no more than 10 days prior to the grand opening and shall be removed no more than 5 days after the event. In no case shall such signs remain on the premises for more than 30 days. • ILP not required.
Temporary signs for City-recognized special events	• Limit of 32-sq. ft. per sign. • May be erected throughout the year, however, the maximum number of days such signs may be displayed shall not exceed a total of 30 days per year. • COA required. • ILP not required.	• Limit of 32-sq. ft. per sign. • May be erected throughout the year, however, the maximum number of days such signs may be displayed shall not exceed a total of 30 days per year. • Regional Center Approval Required. • ILP not required.	• Limit of 32-sq. ft. per sign. • May be erected throughout the year, however, the maximum number of days such signs may be displayed shall not exceed a total of 30 days per year. • ILP not required.
Planters A container for the growing of natural vegetation used for decorative purposes. Planters may not be used for storage or display of merchandise.	• COA required. • ILP not required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP not required.	• ILP not required.

Located in the Right-of-Way
	In a Historic District	In Regional Center; Not in Historic District	Not in Regional Center; Not in Historic District
Sign Any structure, fixture, placard, announcement, declaration, device, demonstration or insignia used for direction, information, identification or to advertise or promote any business, product, goods, activity, services or any interests.	• Not permitted.	• Not permitted.	• Not permitted.
Lighting (Depends upon the feature, may need a variance, etc.)	• COA required. • Encroachment permit required. • ILP required.	• Depends upon the feature. • Encroachment permit & Regional Center Approval may be required.	• Depends upon the feature. • Coordination with KIB required • Encroachment Permit Required.
Gateway Features (Needs to be defined) (Depends upon the feature, may need a variance)	• Depends upon the feature. • Encroachment permit required. • COA required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• Depends upon the feature. • Encroachment permit required. • Regional Center Approval required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• Depends upon the feature. • Coordination with KIB required • Encroachment Permit Required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.
Works of Art Three-dimensional works of art (statuary, sculptures) and two-dimensional works of art (i.e., murals) that are clearly artistic in nature and which do not promote commercial interests.	• COA required. • Encroachment Permit required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• Regional Center Approval required. • Encroachment Permit required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	Generally not permitted due to safety concerns. Exceptions: • Coordination with KIB required. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.
Mural A design or representation painted, drawn or similarly applied on the exterior surface of a structure and which does not advertise a business, product, service or activity.	• COA required. • ILP not required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • ILP not required.	Generally not permitted due to safety concerns. Exceptions: • Coordination with KIB required. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required.
Banners Any temporary sign of light-weight fabric or similar material mounted to a pole or a building at one (1) or more edges by a permanent frame. Flags of any government or political subdivision shall not be considered banners.	• IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented. • Not permitted except for city-recognized events. • Encroachment permit required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented. • Not permitted except for city-recognized events. • Encroachment permit required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• Not permitted.
Temporary promotional banners (on street light standards) Located on permanent banner poles or on street light standards structurally modified to accommodate banners, erected by or sanctioned by the City of Indianapolis. Only such banners promoting community activities, cultural or sports programs important to the city’s image or economy; or not-for-profit organizations serving the community.	• Individual promotional banners displayed for a maximum of 30 days. • Encroachment permit required. • ILP not required. • Coordination with IDI required. • Banners shall not exceed 30 inches wide and 85 inches long. • IHPC COA required for the Banner Program, indicating location of permanent banner poles or street light standards and size. Once IDI’s banner program has been approved, individual temporary banners shall only require additional approval from IDI.	• Individual promotional banners displayed for a maximum of 30 days. • Encroachment permit required. • ILP not required. • Coordination with IDI required. • Banners shall not exceed 30 inches wide and 85 inches long. • Regional Center approval required for the Banner program, indicating location of permanent banner poles or street light standards and size. Once IDI’s banner program has been approved, individual temporary banners shall only require additional approval from IDI.	• Individual promotional banners displayed for a maximum of 30 days. • Banners shall not exceed 30 inches wide and 85 inches long. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required. • IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented.
Temporary signs for Grand openings	• Not permitted.	• Not permitted.	• Not permitted.
Temporary signs for City-recognized special events	• Depends upon the feature. • IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• Depends upon the feature. • IPALCO must okay if utility poles implemented. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.	• Depends upon the feature. • Coordination with KIB required. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ADA requirements must be met/maintained.
Planters A container for the growing of natural vegetation used for decorative purposes. Planters may not be used for storage or display of merchandise.	• COA Required. • DPW Operations must approve weight, size and location. Must be located at least 18 inches from curb. Must not block any utility access points (manholes, vaults, etc.). ADA requirements must be met/maintained. • Coordination with IDI required. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required.	• Regional Center Approval required. • DPW Operations must approve weight, size and location. Must be located at least 18 inches from curb. Must not block any utility access points (manholes, vaults, etc.). ADA requirements must be met/maintained. • Coordination with IDI required. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required.	Generally not permitted due to safety concerns. Exceptions require: • DPW Operations must approve weight, size and location. Must be located at least 18 inches from curb. Must not block any utility access points (manholes, vaults, etc.). ADA requirements must be met/maintained. • Encroachment Permit Required. • ILP not required. • Coordination with KIB required.

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