City of Gary Seal White on Blue Background

About

Every piece of land in the City of Gary is assigned a zoning category, informed by the Comprehensive Plan, which defines the land uses and specifications that are permitted.
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Zoning serves Gary’s residents by:
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Regulating land use to protect public health and safety from the adverse effects of neighboring properties

Conserving the taxable value of land and buildings in the city

Applying community priorities in the Comprehensive Plan to existing and future development

For questions about zoning or business licenses, please contact the Zoning Administrator
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To protect the safety of the public and staff during this winter surge of COVID infections, the Zoning Department will conduct business virtually whenever possible, reserving in-person meetings only by necessity. Please visit the Gary Online link on the licenses tab or contact us directly at zoning@gary.gov; 219-881-1332.

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For questions regarding property zoning, please complete the following form requests:

For a zoning verification letter, complete and submit this form with payment
For a zoning compliance letter, complete and submit this form with payment

Applying for or renewing a license with the City of Gary? Click the Licenses tab.

Looking for information on development standards or permitted uses for a property? Click the Maps/Uses tab.

Submitting site plans and architectural drawings for review? Click the Site Plan Review tab.

Work that disturbs land on project areas of 12,500 square feet or more requires a Land Disturbing Activities Permit Click the Site Plan tab.

Vacation Rentals

Do you have property that are used for Airbnb, VRBO, etc. ?

Apply for Short Term Rental

Licenses & Permits

CLICK TO ACCESS THE GENERAL BUSINESS LICENSE PORTAL

ACCESS GBL PORTAL

Use the charts below to determine which license(s) you need:

Licenses that do not also need a General Business License:

Business activities

License type

Fee

Reselling items?

Pawnbroker

Selling without a structure?

Peddler

Providing transportation services?

Taxicab and Limousine‍
- Per Vehicle
- Per Driver

Selling from a temporary structure?

Transient Merchant

Collecting material?

Scavenger license

Business of an adult nature?

Sexually oriented business license
- Employee license

Providing lodging?

Hotels and Motels

Stand at a flea market?

- Flea market operator
- Per Booth

Work as a Contractor?

Contractor license

Run a dry cleaning business?

Dry cleaner certificate

Operate a fireworks stand?

Fireworks stand application

Work as a junk dealer?

Junk Dealer license

Junk Dealer ordinance info

Operate a kennel?

Kennel license

Run a hotel/motel?

Hotel application

Sell beverages and/or food?

Health license/food handler card

Sell automotive vehicles?

New and used car dealer application

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If you have a valid business license, you can register online now,
which will make renewing in January more convenient (click here to register).

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If you cannot download the license application you need, contact the Zoning Department at zoning@gary.gov.

For all fees, see the business license summary of fees

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General Business License Renewal Process

ATTENTION: All applicants for renewals of General Business Licenses (GBL) that operate out of residences must submit proof they are still residing full time in the home for which they are receiving their GBL. This is a requirement for:

Short-term rentals that did not have to obtain special use permits because they also lived in the home;
Home Daycares that received special use permits;
Other businesses that received special use permits that were required to live in the home as a requirement.

GBL’s will not be issued to applicants who cannot provide proof that they are still residing in the home for which they have received approval to operate.

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New General Business License Application Process

The following are examples of documents that can be submitted that have the address for which you are seeking a GBL issuance or renewal, including but not limited to:

Home Owner’s Exemption and Deed; OR
Unexpired Lease demonstrating permission to use house as a home and daycare; AND
Utility Bills for the last three (3) months
Common residential bills with your name (cell phone, internet, etc.)

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Maps | Zoning Classification

Download the Unified Development Ordinance

GaryINsight Disaster + Land Use Locations

Click the link above to see a full size map of the GaryINsight Disaster Locations and Land Use Locations.

VARIANCE FORMS

Development Standard Variance application for requesting relief from development standards of the zoning district for a specific parcel

Special Use Permit Application for those uses specifically defined by municipal code within each zoning district

Rezone application to request a change to the zoning district of a parcel [updated form is attached]

Use variance application to permit a use within a zoning district otherwise not permitted.

Petition to vacate application.

Petition to vacate checklist.

Petition to plat or replat application.

Contact the Zoning Department before applying

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Forms & Documents

All petitions must be submitted to the Zoning Department prior to being placed on the agenda.
Please direct any questions or concerns to the Zoning Department. Thank you.

General Business License – New Business or Change in Address/Ownership

General Business License – Annual Renewal

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Petition to Resubdivide (Replat) or Subdivide (Plat)

Subdivision Primary Plat/Replat Checklist

Subdivision Secondary (Final) Plat/Replat Checklist

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Letters from Utilities for Vacation

General Requirements for Residential Fences

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Zoning Verification Letter

ACCESS GBL PORTAL

Site Plan Review and Development Committee

In 2012, the City of Gary instituted a streamlined review process for zoning clearances and building permits. A Site Plan Review and Development (SPRD) Committee was formed to review requests for all commercial/industrial and home projects involving new construction or remodeling (including facades, signage, and parking lots).

The Site Plan Review & Development Committee requests that the owner and selected contractor come before the SPRD Committee and present an overview of the proposed petition/project. After each presentation, the petitioner will either receive a decision on permitting, Plan Commission, Zoning Board review, or will be asked for additional information.

Work that disturbs land on project areas of 12,500 square feet or more requires a Land Disturbing Activities Permit.

Site Plan Review & Development Checklist

EXAMPLE Site Plan

Stormwater Design Standards Requirement

Indiana American Water, Pipe Replacements

Note pipe distances are not exact on map.

Directions:

– Type your address in the search bar of the map.

– Match the color of line in front of your property with legend to find out what year your pipe was or will be replaced.

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Board of Zoning Appeals Members

Tom Cera - Chair
Lebarron Burton - Vice Chair
Billy Madgett - Secretary
Dara Brody

Board of Zoning Appeals Policy and Procedures (Adopted 2023)

Please review the policies, procedures and pre-application process in advance. If you have any questions, contact the Zoning Department.

2026 Board of Zoning Appeals Schedule of Meetings

Meetings will be held at the Hudson Campbell Fitness Center, Conference Room, and will be live broadcast on YouTube, with a hyperlink to here: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofGary_IN , and the starting time is 11:00AM CT
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2026 BOARD OF ZONING APEALS CALENDAR (pdf)
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Date of Meeting

Notices/Agendas

Minutes

Jan. 8, 2026

Feb. 12, 2026

Mar. 12, 2026 (Canceled)

AGENDA