Effective January 1, 2026

All single-family long-term rental properties, including townhomes and platted condominiums, must be registered with the City of Fishers. Unregistered properties are subject to a $250 fine, and the City’s 10 percent rental cap per subdivision is enforced. All rentals must also comply with applicable HOA covenants rental restrictions, which may be more restrictive.

On Monday, April 21, 2025, the Fishers City Council voted unanimously to implement the Home Rental Registration & Permitting Program via Fishers Code of Ordinances Chapter 163. Rental registration opens June 2025, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2026.

Registration FAQs

About the Program

Ordinance FAQs

Ordinance Chapter 163

Enforcement Process

Rental Registry Map

The City of Fishers has enacted a rental registration ordinance that requires all single-family rental properties, including townhomes and platted condominiums, to be registered and limits rentals to 10 percent per subdivision. Review the map to see current rental percentages by subdivision. Those in green are below the 10% cap and eligible for more rentals. Those above the 10% cap are displayed in red and no longer have availability for additional rentals. Please be aware that HOA covenants or neighborhood rules may impose stricter rental limits than those enforced by the City.

VIEW MAP

How to Register Your Rental Property

The City of Fishers uses an online software system called Slate by Tolemi to register single-family, long-term rental properties.

For a visual step-by-step guide on how to register your rental property, click here.

How to register:

Step 1: Click here to access the registration software site
Step 2: Create an account by clicking “Start” or use existing credentials to log in by clicking “Sign In.”
Step 3: Once logged in, select the blue “Start New” button and select “Rental Registration.”
Step 4: Search for your property address using the street address or parcel ID of your rental property. Select the address you want to register and select “Next.”
- To add multiple properties, search for additional addresses and follow the prompts to complete. Once all addresses have been added, select “Next.”
- To add units to your property address, select “Add Unit” and follow the prompts to complete.
Step 5: Complete the prompts in the following “Property Information” step
Step 6: Add or Assign Property Owner. Select “Create New” from the drop-down box to add a property owner or agent to act on behalf of the owner associated with the property or properties. Complete the form(s) and follow the prompts to assign the property owner to the related properties.
Step 7: Review submission and select “Submit.”

If you have yet to acquire a property and would like to convert it into a rental, please submit for a pre-approval here (pre-approval form hyperlink). If the subdivision the property you are looking to acquire is in has more availability, you will be granted a pre-approval, which will hold your place for 60 days to allow you to acquire the home and register your property.

PLEASE NOTE: Pre-approval is not in place of registration. Once the property has been acquired, you will need to register your rental by following the above process in order to obtain the permit.

Registration FAQs

What is the rental registration and permitting ordinance?

Chapter 163 of the Fishers Code of Ordinances (Home Rental Registration and Permitting Program) was signed into City ordinance on April 21, 2025. The ordinance enacts:
1. Registration & Permitting Requirement for all single-family, long-term rentals in Fishers.
2. Rental Permit Cap that limits available permits to be issued to less than 10% of long-term rentals per subdivision. Legacy rentals (prior to the ordinance’s effective date of January 1, 2026) will not be subject to, nor counted toward, the 10% cap.

I need to register my rental property. Where do I go to register?

The City of Fishers uses an online software system called Slate by Tolemi. Property owners may register rental properties by clicking here. Visual step-by-step instructions for registering your property can be found here.

LINK: Rental Property Registration
LINK: Visual step-by-step instructions (PDF)

I believe I qualify for an exemption. How do I process this?

Click here to access the Rental Property Exemption Form. Property owners who believe their property is exempt from the ordinance must complete it. The owner will be notified of the exemption approval or denial via the email provided on the form.

LINK: Rental Property Exemption Form

What are the exemptions included in the ordinance?

An extensive list of exemptions is included in Chapter 163 of the Fishers Code of Ordinances (Home Rental Registration and Permitting Program).

General exemptions include: renting to a dependent or parent, if you have been relocated for a job in the last year, if selling the property would cause an undue burden on the property owner (i.e. situations of death and divorce), if the property had been listed on the market for 6 months and failed to sell, if the owner is deployed military and must rent out of the home while deployed.

Property owners may file a Rental Property Exemption form to process the exemption.

If the property exemption is not covered in the ordinance or is denied by staff, the property owner may file an appeal.

LINK: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/348d2d8efb5e421e9ad09fbdaf475c68

I received a letter incorrectly identifying my property as a rental. How do I fix this?

Property owners may complete the Rental Property Correction Request Form. After the form is submitted, the owner will receive an email follow-up to confirm whether their correction is approved. If approved, the property will be removed from our records as a rental.

When do I have to have my rental property registered by?

Enforcement of the ordinance begins on January 1, 2026. All rental properties must be registered by December 31, 2025 to be grandfathered into the rental cap program for neighborhoods already exceeding the 10% cap.

I am in a subdivision with over 10% rentals. Can I keep my current rental?

If the rental property is registered before December 31, 2025, it will be grandfathered into the rental ordinance and permitted, even if it is in a subdivision with over 10% rentals.

After January 1, 2026, newly registered rental properties in neighborhoods with rentals at or above 10% will be denied the permit.

I am an unincorporated property. Do I need to register?

No. Only incorporated (within the city of Fishers) single-family rentals, townhomes, or platted condominiums must register.

Do I have to pay for this permit?

No. There is no fee for the application or permit.

Do I need to renew my permit annually?

No permits are valid until the ownership of the property changes.

Do I need to register all of my rental properties in Fishers?

Yes. Each individually platted rental property, even if under the same ownership, must be registered and permitted to operate. Slate by Tolemi allows for property owners to register multiple properties under the same account.

About the Program

In 2022, the City of Fishers released a public report that found it imperative to the City’s long-term vibrancy to maintain high-quality rental stock as many older homes that are currently owner-occupied enter the rental market.

Considering this trend and the increasing numbers of out-of-state ownership (47% of all SF rentals) and institutional investor ownership (25% of all SF rentals), the City Council passed an ordinance that requires registration of every single-family rental property within Fishers City limits as well as enforce a 10% maximum cap of single-family rental properties.

What are the goals of this Ordinance?

GOAL #1: Protecting Homeownership & Vibrant Neighborhoods

Homeowners have a vested interest in the vibrancy of their community and in building equity in their homes by investing in and improving their properties.
Investors are primarily focused on generating income from rental properties. While landlords may invest in maintenance and safety costs, their main priority is maintaining a profitable rental revenue stream, which does not include investments in vibrancy or quality of life improvements.

Homeowners, on average, spend $4,900 per year on home improvements (2015-2023). Investment and improvements in owner-occupied homes have continued to increase. In 2023, homeowners spent over $9,500 on average on home improvement projects alone. Furthermore, neighborhoods with high concentrations of rentals have less building permit activity, suggesting less investment overall
*Source: Improving America’s Housing 2025, Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University
The Social Spillovers of Homeownership, University of Colorado + Clemson University, 2025

GOAL #2: Addresses current and future risks of oversaturation of single-family rentals in a small number of neighborhoods.

While rental housing options are critical to a diverse housing inventory, certain subdivisions within Fishers are oversaturated with rental units, which may contribute to decreased property values and a lack of neighborhood vibrancy.

– The city has 50 subdivisions with over 10% rentals.
– 17 subdivisions between 20-29% rentals
– 9 neighborhoods with +30% rentals

While institutional investors originally brought attention to this topic, they are just a fragment of the broader challenge. The proposed ordinance addresses the challenge of oversaturation of rentals in neighborhoods.

Ordinance FAQ’s

Why does the City have this ordinance instead of allowing HOAs to manage this policy at the neighborhood level?

In working alongside HOAs since 2022, this has been an ongoing challenge they have been unable to address due to strict voting requirements required for covenant changes and a lack of resources to enforce regulations.

Does this ordinance prevent my HOA from implementing more stringent regulations?

No, the ordinance serves as a maximum level. HOAs may choose to implement stricter regulations with lower rental rate percentages for their neighborhood.

How much will it cost to register a long-term rental property?

There is no cost to register a long-term rental property through this program.

Does the ordinance include long-term rentals for condos and townhouses?

Yes, the Ordinance applies to single-family homes, condos, and townhouses.

Does this ordinance apply to short-term rentals?

No, short-term rentals are not regulated by this Ordinance. For short-term rentals, please refer to the City of Fishers Unified Development Ordinance Section 5.4.6(D).

What are Legacy Rentals?

Under the proposed ordinance, Legacy Rentals are rental properties existing prior to the enforcement date of January 1st, 2026. Legacy Rentals registering prior to January 1st, 2026 will be issued a permit, regardless of whether they are in a subdivision with over 10% rentals. Subdivisions over 10% rentals will not be issued any additional rental permits, until the rental percentage drops below 10% in that neighborhood. Permits of Legacy Rentals are valid until ownership changeover of the property occurs, or until a violation warranting permit revocation occurs. See more on permit revocation in the FAQ.

Can permits be revoked?

Yes. Under the proposed ordinance, permits may be revoked for violations of Title XV of the Fishers Municipal Code, delinquency of Fishers Utilities invoices, or provisions of city ordinances that place an undue burden on public safety resources, including properties with more than seven (7) calls for service to public safety. The City of Fishers City Court will handle permit revocation. See Ordinance 022425A for more information.

Do permits expire?

Per state statute, rental permits may not expire until there is a changeover of ownership or there is a violation of the City’s enforceable ordinance or codes. See ‘Can permits be revoked?’ for more information.

Does the ordinance include fines for non-compliance?

Yes.

Failure to Register: Beginning January 1, 2026, any owner who fails to register a home rental unit or provides false or incomplete information on the home rental unit registration form in violation of §163.04 commits a civil violation and shall pay to the City a civil monetary fine of $250. Owners have thirty (30) days from obtaining ownership in a home rental unit to register that home rental unit.

Any owner who lets for occupancy a home rental unit without a permit, in violation of §163.05, commits a civil violation and shall submit their tenancy agreement to the City and pay to the City a civil monetary fine in the amounts as follows:
(1) First violation – $1,000.
(2) Second and subsequent violation – not less than $5,000 nor more than $7,500

Rental Registration Enforcement Process

Rental Registration Enforcement Process

The City of Fishers uses a step-by-step enforcement process to address unregistered long-term rental properties. Enforcement depends on whether a property is located in a subdivision that is below or above the City’s 10 percent rental cap.

First Violation

Day 0: Courtesy Notice

A courtesy notice is sent to the property owner.

This is not a violation
No fines are issued
Property owners have 30 days to take corrective action

If your subdivision is below the 10 percent rental cap:

If your subdivision is above the 10 percent rental cap:

Stop operating the property as a rental
Notify the Department of Community and Economic Development that rental activity has stopped
Failure to do so may result in:
- $250 fine for failure to register
- $1,000 fine for operating without a permit

If you believe your property was identified in error or qualifies for an exemption:
Complete the correction or exemption form.

Day 31: Notice of Violation

If no action is taken within 30 days, a formal Notice of Violation is issued.

Fines issued at this stage total $1,250:

$250 for failure to register
$1,000 for operating without a permit

If your subdivision is below the 10 percent rental cap:

Pay the $1,250 fine
Either:
- Register the property as a rental through Tolemi, or
- Stop operating the property as a rental and notify the City

If your subdivision is above the 10 percent rental cap:

Pay the $1,250 fine
Stop operating the property as a rental and notify the City

Important:
Fines must be paid even if you later come into compliance.

Payment options:

Money order or cashier’s check referencing the record number
Online payment by e-check or credit card

If you believe your property was identified in error or qualifies for an exemption:
Complete the correction or exemption form.

Day 60: Referral to Law Department

If the fine is not paid, an appeal is not filed, or corrective action is not completed within 30 days, the case is referred to the Law Department to begin enforcement.

Day 75: Law Department Warning Letter

The Law Department sends a letter giving 15 additional days to comply before legal action is filed.

Day 90: Legal Enforcement Action

If compliance is still not achieved, the City may file enforcement action in:

Fishers City Court, or
Hamilton County Court, depending on the issue

Following a court order, the City may file judgment liens.

Second & Subsequent Violations

After a court order, future violations move directly to enforcement.

Day 0: Immediate Notice of Violation

No courtesy notice is issued.

Fines range from $5,000 to $7,500

If your subdivision is below the 10 percent rental cap:

Pay the fine
Either:
- Register the property as a rental through Tolemi, or
- Stop operating the property as a rental and notify the City
30 days to pay the fine and comply

If your subdivision is above the 10 percent rental cap:

Pay the fine
Stop operating the property as a rental and notify the City
30 days to pay the fine and comply

Day 30: Referral to Law Department

If the fine is not paid, an appeal is not filed, or corrective action is not completed, the case is sent to the Law Department.

Day 45: Law Department Warning Letter

A letter is sent giving 15 days to comply before legal action.

Enforcement FAQ

What happens if my rental property is not registered?

The City follows a step-by-step enforcement process. Property owners are first given an opportunity to correct the issue before fines and legal action occur.

Will I receive a warning before being fined?

Yes. For a first violation, the City sends a Courtesy Notice before issuing any fines.

What is a Courtesy Notice?

A Courtesy Notice:
-Is not a violation
-Does not include a fine
-Gives the property owner 30 days to take action
What you need to do depends on whether your subdivision is below or above the City’s 10 percent rental cap.

What if my subdivision is below the 10 percent rental cap?

You may:
-Register your property as a long-term rental through Tolemi, or
-Stop operating the property as a rental and notify the City

What if my subdivision is above the 10 percent rental cap?

If you were not registered before December 31, 2025 you must:
-Stop operating the property as a rental, and
-Notify the Department of Community and Economic Development that rental activity has stopped

If you continue operating without permission, you may be fined:
-$250 for failure to register
-$1,000 for operating without a permit

What happens if I do nothing after the Courtesy Notice?

After 30 days, the City issues a Notice of Violation.

What fines are issued with a Notice of Violation?

The total fine is $1,250, which includes:
-$250 for failure to register
-$1,000 for operating without a permit
These fines must be paid even if you later come into compliance

What actions are required after a Notice of Violation?

If your subdivision is below the cap:
-Pay the $1,250 fine, and
-Either register the rental or stop rental operations and notify the City
If your subdivision is above the cap:
-Pay the $1,250 fine, and
-Stop rental operations and notify the City

How do I pay a fine?

Payment may be made by:
-Money order or cashier’s check referencing the record number, or
-Online payment by e-check or credit card

What happens if fines are not paid or the issue is not corrected?

The case is referred to the City’s Law Department, which may result in legal action.

When does the Law Department get involved?

Day 60: Case is sent to the Law Department
Day 75: A warning letter is sent giving 15 days to comply
Day 90: The City may file enforcement action in court
Following a court order, judgment liens may be filed.

What happens with second or repeat violations?

After a court order, future violations receive immediate enforcement with no courtesy notice.
-Fines range from $5,000 to $7,500
-Property owners have 30 days to pay fines and comply
-Failure to comply results in Law Department action and possible court filings

Who should I contact if I have questions?

-Registration, policy, or exemptions: Lucas Smith at smithlu@fishersin.gov
-Payment questions: Controller’s Office at controllersoffice@fishersin.gov
-Appeals: Court staff at court@fishersin.gov
-Legal enforcement: City legal team at webba@fishersin.gov

CITY OF FISHERS EMAIL TRANSITION

Effective January 1, 2026

Rental Registry Map

How to Register Your Rental Property

Registration FAQs

About the Program

What are the goals of this Ordinance?

Ordinance FAQ’s

Rental Registration Enforcement Process

First Violation

Second & Subsequent Violations

Enforcement FAQ