DoorWorthy

Who needs a zoning approval, state construction design release and certificate of occupancy in Indiana?

Issued by Your city or county planning and building departments; Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Division of Fire and Building Safety, at step 3 of 6 in the opening sequence: approve the space.

Every kind of business in Indiana

The Indiana table lists this for every kind of business.

Confirm the zoning allows your use before signing. Indiana is unusual: any commercial construction, alteration or change of use needs a construction design release from the state fire and building division before the local building permit is issued, so plans are filed with the state first. The local building department inspects and issues the certificate of occupancy, which the health department and the alcohol board both ask for.

Checked Oct 21, 2026 against the agency’s page.

Step 3 of 6: Approve the space

  1. Set up the business
  2. Register for tax
  3. Approve the space
  4. Get the permits for your kind of business
  5. Alcohol permits
  6. Before the first hire

Issued by Your city or county planning and building departments; Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Division of Fire and Building Safety.

Sources and dates

Indiana Code 22-15-3 and 675 IAC 12-6 (construction design release); Indiana Building Code; locality ordinances. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.

Questions about opening here.