City of Bloomington, IN - Housing and Neighborhood Development - HAND

09/04/2026

Join the Bloomington City Council and the Community Justice & Mediation Center (CJAM) for a public discussion on community perspectives on public safety. It takes place from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on September 9th at Bloomington City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., and will gather resident experiences and views on safety. All community members are welcome to participate—no special background required.

09/04/2026

congratulates the City of Bloomington, IN for their Silver Tier advancement in the Clean Community Program!

Bloomington has completed several key projects, including achieving Tree City USA certification, becoming a StormReady Community, improving stormwater management through local ordinances, implementing green infrastructure, and hosting Community Tox‑Away Days.

Thank you, Bloomington, for helping build a cleaner, healthier Indiana. 💚

09/03/2026

What is over-occupancy, and how does it work in Bloomington? 🏠🔍

City zoning rules set clear limits on how many people can live in a rental home. In a residential single-family zone, the maximum allowable occupancy is 1) a single family or 2) three adults. In a residential, multi-dwelling zone, up to five adults may be allowed to live in the same unit. There are also some special cases where a residential zone has been legally grandfathered to allow more than 3 adults.

When HAND receives a complaint about potential over-occupancy, an inspector steps in to check the property's legal limits. If a home is over-occupied, the owner must bring it back into compliance, which means extra tenants will have to move out.

To keep everyone safe and on the same page, landlords with 4 or fewer rental units are required to keep an Occupancy Affidavit on file and update it within 15 days whenever tenants change.

Visit https://bloomington.in.gov/housing/landlords/over-occupancy to learn more about zoning and occupancy rules.

08/31/2026

Bloomington’s housing conversation can get technical quickly: zoning tables, lot sizes, setbacks, approvals. But underneath all of that is a much simpler question: who gets to live here? In this "Ambition in Bloom" column, HAND Director Anna Killion-Hanson looks at how land constraints, rising costs, development rules, and missing “middle” housing options have made it harder to build the kinds of homes Bloomington needs most.

Read the full column: https://amplifybloomington.org/stories/housing-scarcity-has-become-an-economic-crisis

08/26/2026

Having maintenance trouble in your rental unit? The Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department can help investigate violations of the City’s housing standards, but there are a few important steps to take first:

1. Notify your landlord in writing. Keep a clear record of all messages, emails, or letters you send about the issue.

2. Give them a reasonable amount of time. Allow your landlord or property manager an opportunity to make the necessary repairs.

3. Submit a Rental Complaint. If the issue isn't fixed, file a complaint through the City’s uReport system. A HAND inspector will reach out to schedule an in-person home visit.

Please note: While uReport allows anonymous submissions for many city issues, rental complaints for HAND require your contact information so our inspectors can follow up and schedule an inspection. If violations are confirmed, the owner will receive an itemized repair order with a strict deadline to complete the work.

(HAND cannot resolve issues related to leases, rent, deposits, or other legal disputes.)

Learn more at https://bloomington.in.gov/housing/rental-complaints

08/24/2026

Kick off the school year with Kidical Mass: A Back-to-School Family Bike Ride & Celebration on Thursday, August 27, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Hosted by the City of Bloomington and IU Health, this free, family-friendly event invites you to bring your bikes and enjoy a short, slow-paced group ride.

Meet at the Bryan Park Woodlawn Parking Lot. Everyone will leave together at 5:30pm. You can choose a 1-mile or 2.5-mile route, or stick to the parking lot "Bike Rodeo" course, perfect for younger kids, balance bikers, or those learning to ride. After riding, stay for games, bike-blended smoothies, popsicles, a helmet decoration station, free bike lights, quick bike repairs, and more!

There is no pre-registration required, but please note that children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult, and independent group riders should have 1-2 years of riding experience.

Visit https://bloomington.in.gov/transportation/ss4a/safety-week/kidical-mass to learn more or request a bike to borrow!

08/20/2026

Thanks to everyone who attended the Small Scale Development Workshop! Next up is our virtual Small Scale Developer BOOTCAMP.
Wednesdays, 4-7pm, October 7 to November 4. Details and registration at incrementaldevelopment.org/calendar/bloomingtondeveloperbootcamp

08/20/2026

With move-in season in full swing, it’s a great time to refresh on Bloomington’s Noise Control Ordinance. Did you know that the noise ordinance applies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

Under the ordinance, "unreasonable noise" is prohibited. This includes any sound that, by its volume, frequency, or pattern, prevents, disrupts, injures, or endangers the health, safety, welfare, prosperity, comfort, or repose of reasonable persons of ordinary sensitivities, given the time of day and environment. Specific examples include sound from cars, horns or signaling devices, radios, televisions, loudspeakers, amplifiers, and musical instruments.

Violations of the noise ordinance can result in a warning, a fine, or even misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, including arrest.

Visit https://bloomington.in.gov/police/noise to read the full ordinance and learn more.

08/20/2026

ATTENTION Bloomington Neighborhoods!! $1,000 grants are available for sustainability projects. Details below.

Here’s your chance to make a real difference in your neighborhood, Bloomington! The Sustainable Neighborhoods Grant is back, offering up to $1,000 for projects that boost sustainability and climate resilience right where you live.

Whether you want to start a community garden, plant native trees, or launch an eco-friendly initiative, this grant can help turn your ideas into action. Gather at least three neighbors, dream up a project, and apply before November 15—or until the $10,000 budget is fully awarded.

Your neighborhood could be the next to reap the benefits of greener, more connected living. Learn more and apply at bton.in/SNGs.

08/20/2026

Start the new school year in style with Kidical Mass: A Back to School Family Bike Ride & Celebration!

This is a free, fun, family-friendly celebration of the new school year and bikes by the City of Bloomington and IU Health. Bring your bikes and enjoy a short, slow-paced ride designed for kids and their families, followed by games, bike-blended smoothies, popsicles, a helmet decoration station, free bike lights, quick bike repairs, and more.

Details:
Thursday, August 27, 2026
5:00–6:30 p.m.
Meet at Bryan Park Woodlawn Parking Lot

Pre-registration is not required, but all are welcome to sign up and request a bike to borrow. Learn more on our website: bton.in/SfeWk26