An image coding apparatus includes a coding unit configured to set, when coding processing is performed on input image data, a first coding picture that is to be generated by intra-picture prediction coding within the first coding picture, skip reference beyond the first coding picture being inhibited, and set, when coding processing is performed on the input image data, a second coding picture that is to be generated by inter-picture prediction coding, and skip reference beyond the second coding picture being inhibited. The coding unit performs coding processing on the input image data such that at least one second coding picture is set proximate to the first coding picture.