Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals Cases

These public hearings occur at 1:00pm in the Beurt SerVaas Public Assembly Room on the second floor of the City-County Building, 200 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

In Marion County, every establishment applying for an alcohol license must get an affidavit from the Department of Metropolitan Development, which ensures they are properly zoned to sell alcohol.  If a business is not zoned to sell alcohol, they must get a variance via a public hearing in front of the Metropolitan Board of Zoning Appeals.  Community members who are concerned with a particular alcohol establishment may find it beneficial to stop an alcohol application at this stage in the process, before the case can appear before the local alcoholic beverage board.  Any zoning appeals case that is listed below is also listed under the alcohol license applications to be heard by the local alcoholic beverage board.  If you are interested in speaking against an alcohol application, it would be of interest to you to appear at the zoning hearing also. 

For more information on the Indianapolis-Marion County Division 2 Metropolitain Board of Zoning Appeals please visit the City/County website at: http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DMD/Planning/Pages/boards.aspx#BZA

The following phone numbers can be used to report incidents that involve the inappropriate sale or distribution of alcohol.  (Such as: selling to minors, minors loitering asking others to buy for them, bootleg houses, party with underage drinking, etc. )

Indiana State Excise Police (ISEP)

ISEP Marion County Office                 293-2437

ISEP Hotline   1-866-2STOPEM (278-6736)

     This is an anonymous tip line in which all information gathered is forwarded directly to the Indiana State Excise Police.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) for non emergency information

North District: Commander Robert Holt           327-6100

An applicant may denied for any one or more of the following reasons:

1. The applicant does not maintain a high and fine reputation in the community.
2. There is no need for the services of the applicant at the proposed time.
3. The neighborhood and/or community do not desire the services.
4. The services at the proposed location would have a negative impact on other businesses in the neighborhood, as well as a negative impact on the neighborhood in general.
5. The permit premises is within 200 feet of a church or school
6. The permit premises is in a residential area as referred to in IC 7.1-1-3-38 and 905 IAC 1-18-1.

 Source: Alcohol Tobacco Commission Local Handbook available at :http://www.in.gov/atc/files/INAlcoholBevComm-bklt.pdf

Through their testimony people who speak against an application, also known as remonstrators, must and should also show at the public local board hearing that there is no need and/or no desire from the immediate surrounding community at large.

Drug Free Marion County has studied the issue of alcohol licensing quotas and distribution in Indianapolis and Marion County, and has found reason to be concerned. Click below to read our report.

Alcohol Licensing Quotas and Distribution in Marion County

For more information, contact Nancy Beals at 317-254-281.