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Starsiak-Hawk’s complaints about Indianapolis zoning and building regulations are legitimate. As someone who has renovated older homes and built new homes both here and on the east coast, I can attest to the fact that Indianapolis is a strange duck.
For starters, the city’s building code – known as the “muni code” – is both confusing and outdated when it comes to many building practices. It is poorly written, subject to different interpretations from one building inspector to the next, and is not easily searchable (something that would help both novices and pros when looking for code specifications).
While most cities and states use the International Residential Code (IRC), which is updated every three years to reflect new technology, materials, and practices, the “muni code” is the classic example of what appears to be a camel but is actually a cow designed by a committee of amateurs.
Even worse is that too many code enforcement officials lack the skills to read the blueprints, inspect the construction, or actually provide useful guidance to correct deficiencies during an inspection.
The IRC would be a game-changer in Indianapolis in that the city would rely on construction experts from around the country for a code that is easy to understand, easily searchable, and updated every three years. In other words, the IRC would be both brainless and painless for the city to adopt.
I’m pretty sure the residential building code is promulgated by the State of Indiana. Indianapolis contractors have to comply with it and the city must enforce it. Additionally even the zoning ordinances in Indianapolis have to be approved by the state Fire and Building Services Commission. Perhaps this is a bigger story than just an urban Indianapolis story.
Muni code is just the service that displays the text, it isn’t it’s own code.
I own a real estate investment company here in the Indy metro area and I haven’t had any issues conducting business with flips, renovations or new construction built. Not sure what exactly the issues are with Good Bones but it’s not as difficult as they’re claiming it to be. At least from my perspective.
Brent B, why don’t you research how much these city employees are paid. It’s public information and it’s shameful. Perhaps if they were paid better, had more training, and were seen as partners in the process things would be better.
Sounds like our city regulators are to bureaucratic. More concerned with
bureaucracy than getting efficiencies and productive results.
It’s no wonder developers are avoiding Marion County.
They will get right since it’s been exposed.expect to see changes.
I think many in the Old Southside are okay with slowing the development down to get it right and make sure it’s something positive for those who live here once the White hot trend has moved on. Sure a short-term rental here and there, but not the overwhelming amount there is now. Seems like half the people staying in the neighborhood over the weekend are new each and every weekend. We never know who our children are walking past. We ask for housing design for families to put down roots. We are really thankful that the city listens to the residents. And oftentimes the residents are pushing back against the developers. Because once all the money is made we still live here.
Typical Indianapolis. And Hogsett will not lift a finger to address this issue. He needs to go already. And not just back to rehab. The job has been beyond his capabilities since his first term.
I get it. You don’t like the mayor, but putting the building code on Hogsett is kind of a stretch.
The same muni code existed under GOP administrations and these remained unchanged. And many residents fled the city under said administrations.
Citizens and developers should indeed challenge the current system and address the City County Council to make changes that benefit the city. After all, Indiana is hardly an icon or progressiveness and Good Bones certainly put a positive spin on the city, despite negative policy stances taken in the Statehouse.
So I guess you also blame the weather on the Mayor? He is in his third term so enough people like him. This isn’t a political issue stop trying to make it one. Sounds like you are accusing him of needing Rehab of some type, that’s bold with no receipts of him needing rehab.
Most cities use the ‘IRC’ code. Therein lies another symptom of backasswards Indy. I loved the show, I loved what they were doing. These weren’t people doing rental ‘flips’ but many pre contracted homes for clients in neighborhoods that have been left to rot. Considering the local photographer’s positive videos on each segment, the city or state, instead of slowing down Mina’s progress should have provided a stipend for: 1. Renovating at no cost to the city falling down properties while creating new neighborhoods and taxes. 2. Generating positive free, positive national exposure that was seen positively by millions. YOU CAN’T BUY THAT KIND OF MEDIA EXPOSURE. Instead, the over officious bean counters at some nebulous office cubicle have run mom to North Carolina, while Mina, a young mother and major influencer is faced with shutting down. Unbelievably stupid, short sighted and self destructive lack of cooperation. This is another classic example of why Indianapolis has never been able to elevate itself from being a ‘minor league city’ regardless of hotels, conventions or population. It’s a provincial abyss. Way to go!
Go to bed Mina, you’re drunk.
Completely agree. We used to have strong leadership. Not any more. Indianapolis peaked a while ago. Its best years are long past.
Chris Gahl seems like he’d be a good leader. He should run for mayor.
Point of fact: many here are conflating zoning ordinance (local) and building code (state). The building codes referenced by commenters is set by the State of Indiana. The current 2020 InRC adopts by reference the 2018 IRC with few amendments.
Important distinction!
@FSQ R – Exactly, this article has nothing to do with the IRC…it’s a point of contention with the planning & zoning department – a confusing at best unified development ordinance, overlayed/trumped by a “recent” addendum called “Walkable Neighborhood Design Standards” and steered by an unofficially official “Infill Housing Guidelines” which require neighborhood alignment on all proposals.
There’s are reasons why society is experiencing a housing shortage…and this kind of bureaucracy is a large piece of the problem pie.
What she really means is that the City held them to the same standards as everyone else and she is aghast that the rules weren’t circumvented for her. Good riddance to their substandard work and rape of neighborhoods.
Apparently after a decade of not paying contractors they finally ran out of fools who were willing to work with them.
Her entire family left and went to work for a competitor… that should tell people something
I find most of this to be bogus. As an employee of Two Chicks for 5 years and essentially the in house GC- hiring subs, troubleshooting, order material, handling schedule, etc. I saw a lot. To Mina’s credit, doing 13 houses in a small time span is very tough. Two Chicks never got into the swing of being ahead of time and was always a reactive company. Getting permits or variances were always made tougher because instead of getting ahead of the 8 ball and applying for plans 6 months ago…they would get applied for when we should have already been building. Also publicly criticizing the permit office on social media isn’t going to make you any friends.
Since I’ve started my own company, I’ve had very little issues with permits and inspectors. It’s my purview that their aim is to treat everyone equitably.
Honestly, it’s terrible that things like state building codes, local zoning ordinances and even federal lead paint abatement laws should stand in the way of these ladies progress. For Gods sake they are tv stars. America loves them. Perhaps they should both run for public office.
SEG wins the Internet today. Nicely played
Thanks Chuck!
Yeah! They should be allowed to install Knob and Tube wiring along with asbestos insulation!
Everyone has to play by the same rules. That being said, can Indy do better about zoning and permitting? Absolutely. But rather than complaining perhaps just having a conversation with city planning staff ahead of time would go a long way, rather than assuming just because something was approved in the past means you’re entitled to the same treatment. Each project is unique especially if you’re asking for variances.
It seems Mina did not take the producer’s advice set out in the last paragraph of the article; she’s taking it personally. Personally that she’s not treated as the star she aspires to be.
The three story houses built in Fountain Square by Two Chicks and others are ridiculous monstrosities that don’t fit in and dwarf the homes around them.
Agreed. Also, my daughter owned a smalled house built by them – not well built, they removed things that were supposed to come with the home and their show is totally scripted.
Good to see further discussion started about this sad state of affairs. We’re still running on 2014 (with amendment) codes in Indiana. These ought to be updated. More consistency would be beneficial, too.
Indianapolis did a major revamp in 2016, with updates all the way to 2023. This was a major change since I think the previous revamp was in 1963. I don’t think Indy Zoning is behind the times.
I agree with Mina but, damn… The scorched earth strategy won’t help her cause. The municipal deep state has a long memory
Is “Deep State” the fact that you can’t bribe somebody to look the other way?
The process is not hard to navigate. The sob story about the duplex- all of that information would have been readily available before purchase, sounds like they didn’t do their due diligence. Filing for permits and following the rules that apply to everyone isn’t a hardship. Clearly she expected special treatment due to being on TV, which the city was never going to give her- because being on TV doesn’t entitle you to get around the rules.
+1
The city zoning guidelines are pretty clear. The city also has infill housing guidelines for construction that have been in place since Fall Creek Place came out the of the ground in 2000. I think it is totally legitimate that the city has some restrictions in place. In an Urban neighborhood, porches big enough to use, YES, garages in the front NO. There is a really good reason that people are attracted to downtown neighborhoods and it is not because they look like suburban development. Judging from the number of flat rood structures I see all over the near east side, DMD does not have a problem with them. Maybe they have a problem with buildings that exceed the maximum height, after all nobody wants a mini high-rise next door.
This also seems funny having heard second hand via word of mouth that these guys just go and do something and get hit with a stop work order. These guys might have created this antagonistic relationship.
From my past experience it might take ten revisions from the architect before things are approved, but the time to do it are when things are on paper and it’s easy to change. Poor planning is not a reason for crying about sour grapes.
It’s not even the building codes that is a problem, it’s the length of time to get a building permit. Waiting 6-8 month for a simple renovation is way to long. Then there is the hidden code that the inspector imposes on your building. City needs to address the shortage of inspectors and shorten the process.
That would require increasing what those folks are paid. Long overdue.