Indy could add hundreds to construction costs for homes, businesses

Indianapolis wants to charge hundreds more for permits required to build homes and businesses.

The city agency that issues building permits and conducts inspections said its revenues are dwindling because of outdated fees.

The cost of a permit to build a home or business in Marion County remains lower than in some neighboring counties.

It's much cheaper to buy the basic permits needed to build a home or business in Marion County than in nearby Hamilton County. But Indianapolis leaders are considering price increases that would reduce that advantage by hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars.

Indianapolis' Department of Business and Neighborhood Services is planning to more than double some of its permitting fees for building homes and businesses — higher costs that are likely