§ 36-4-3-5.1 — Petitions signed by 100% of landowners

Indiana § 36-4-3-5.1

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Title 36: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
• Art. 4: GOVERNMENT OF CITIES AND TOWNS
• Ch. 3: Municipal Annexation and Disannexation

Text

1. (a) Owners of land that is located outside but
contiguous to a municipality or that is located in territory described in
section 4(i) of this chapter may file a petition with the legislative body
of the municipality:
(1) requesting an ordinance annexing the area described in the
petition; and
(2) signed by:
(A) one hundred percent (100%) of the landowners that reside
within the territory that is proposed to be annexed, in the case
of a petition filed before July 1, 2015; and
(B) in the case of a petition filed after June 30, 2015, one
hundred percent (100%) of the owners of land within the
territory that is proposed to be annexed.
(b) Sections 2.1 and 2.2 of this chapter do not apply to an
annexation under this section.
(c) The petition circulated by the landowners must include on each
page where signatures are affixed a heading that is substantially similar
to the following:
"PETITION FOR ANNEXATION INTO THE (insert whether city
or town) OF (insert name of city or town).".
(d) The municipality may:
(1) adopt an annexation ordinance annexing the territory; and
(2) adopt a fiscal plan and establish a definite policy by resolution
of the legislative body;
after the legislative body has held a public hearing on the proposed
annexation.
(e) The municipality may introduce and hold the public hearing on
the annexation ordinance not later than thirty (30) days after the
petition is filed with the legislative body. Notice of the public hearing
may be published one (1) time in accordance with IC 5-3-1 at least
twenty (20) days before the hearing. All interested parties must have
the opportunity to testify at the hearing as to the proposed annexation.
(f) The municipality may adopt the annexation ordinance not earlier
than fourteen (14) days after the public hearing under subsection (e).
(g) A landowner may withdraw the landowner's signature from the
petition not more than thirteen (13) days after the municipality adopts
the fiscal plan by providing written notice to the office of the clerk of
the municipality. If a landowner withdraws the landowner's signature,
the petition shall automatically be considered a voluntary petition that
is filed with the legislative body under section 5 of this chapter,
fourteen (14) days after the date the fiscal plan is adopted. All
provisions applicable to a petition initiated under section 5 of this
chapter apply to the petition.
(h) If the municipality does not adopt an annexation ordinance
within sixty (60) days after the landowners file the petition with the
legislative body, the landowners may file a duplicate petition with the
circuit or superior court of a county in which the territory is located.
The court shall determine whether the annexation shall take place as
set forth in section 5 of this chapter.
(i) A remonstrance under section 11 of this chapter may not be filed.
However, an appeal under section 15.5 of this chapter may be filed.
(j) In the absence of an appeal under section 15.5 of this chapter, an
annexation ordinance adopted under this section takes effect not less
than thirty (30) days after the adoption of the ordinance and upon the
filing and recording of the ordinance under section 22 of this chapter.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.224-2001, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.228-2015, SEC.10; P.L.160-2020, SEC.9.