Storm Shelters in Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis covers all of Marion County, from Pike and Washington Townships in the north to Perry and Franklin in the south. Homeowners can send an estimate request through this referral service.
Indianapolis at a glance
Indianapolis is in Marion County, Indiana, with 887,642 residents at the 2020 Census. Tornado warnings for the area come from NWS Indianapolis. Installers who receive Indianapolis requests confirm whether they cover the address.
| County | Marion County, Indiana |
|---|---|
| NWS warning office | NWS Indianapolis |
| Population | 887,642 (2020 Census; Wikipedia: Indianapolis (2020 Census)) |
| Permit contact | DBNS, City of Indianapolis |
Tornadoes in Marion County
NWS Indianapolis counts 47 tornadoes that touched down in Marion County between 1950 and 2025. They include an F4 on May 14, 1972, an F2 on September 20, 2002 that injured 97 people, and an EF2 on May 30, 2008.
Source: NWS Indianapolis: Marion County tornadoes.
Permits in Indianapolis
Indianapolis requires a structural permit for a new structure or a structural alteration. Permits are issued by the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, and the applicant must be a contractor registered in Marion County or the property owner.
Apply through the Indianapolis DBNS permit portal. A new structure that adds square footage may also need an Improvement Location Permit.
Townships across the county
Requests are accepted from all nine Marion County townships: Center, Decatur, Franklin, Lawrence, Perry, Pike, Warren, Washington and Wayne. Older homes near the center often have basements; newer subdivisions on the edges may be built on slabs.
Shelter types you can request in Indianapolis
All six shelter types can be requested from Indianapolis. Your request is shared with independent installers, who decide whether they can take a job in Marion County and quote after seeing the property.
- Underground / In-Ground Storm Shelters
- Basement Tornado Shelters
- Garage Floor Storm Shelters
- Above Ground Storm Shelters
- Safe Rooms
- Prefabricated Bunkers
What a shelter in Indianapolis might cost
No verified Indianapolis prices exist and this site has none of its own. FEMA and FLASH publish national safe room ranges, summarised on the storm shelter cost page; installers quote after a site visit.
Other Indiana areas
Requests are also accepted from the rest of Indiana. The areas below have their own pages with county, warning office, tornado history and permit notes, and the service areas page lists all twelve so you can compare coverage.
Request Shelter Information
Estimate request. Independent installers set any price after reviewing your property.