Sec. 5.1. (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.
As added by P.L.224-2001, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.228-2015, SEC.10; P.L.160-2020, SEC.9.
Structure Indiana Code
Article 4. Government of Cities and Towns Generally
Chapter 3. Municipal Annexation and Disannexation
36-4-3-0.1. Application of Certain Amendments to Chapter
36-4-3-1. Application of Chapter
36-4-3-1.4. Annexation Prohibited While Reorganization Pending
36-4-3-1.5. Contiguous Territory; Annexation of Public Highway
36-4-3-1.6. Territory Covered by Lake
36-4-3-2. Territories Inside Corporate Boundaries of Another Municipality
36-4-3-2.1. Public Hearing; Notice
36-4-3-2.2. Hearing Notice to Landowners
36-4-3-2.5. "Public Highway" Defined
36-4-3-3. Annexation of Contiguous Territory; Authorization
36-4-3-3.1. Written Fiscal Plan
36-4-3-3.3. Application of Section 8 of This Chapter to Certain Annexation Ordinances
36-4-3-3.5. Annexation Ordinance; Contents
36-4-3-4. Annexation of Noncontiguous Territory
36-4-3-4-b. Annexation of Noncontiguous Territory
36-4-3-4.1. Property Tax Exemption for Agricultural Property
36-4-3-4.2. County Infrastructure Reimbursement
36-4-3-4.3. Property Owned by County Redevelopment Commission
36-4-3-4.5. Applicability of Ic 36-4-3-4(g)
36-4-3-5. Private Lands; Petition Requesting Ordinance to Annex; Filing; Proceedings
36-4-3-5.1. Petitions Signed by 100% of Landowners
36-4-3-5.2. Residential Developments
36-4-3-6. Effect of Certified Copy of Ordinance
36-4-3-7. Publication of Adopted Ordinance; Effectiveness; Fire Protection Districts
36-4-3-7-b. Publication of Adopted Ordinance; Effectiveness; Fire Protection Districts
36-4-3-7.1. Trial Court Hearing on Annexation
36-4-3-7.2. Effective Date of Certain Annexations Involving Fire Protection Districts
36-4-3-8. Terms and Conditions in Adopted Ordinance
36-4-3-8.5. Tax Abatement in Annexed Territory; Ordinance; Required Provisions
36-4-3-9. Town Annexing Within Proximity of City
36-4-3-9.1. Annexation of Territory Within County; Requirements
36-4-3-11. Remonstrances; Filing; Determination of Signatures; Hearing
36-4-3-11.1. Filing of Remonstrance With County Auditor; Notice; Locations for Signing Remonstrance
36-4-3-11.2. Remonstrance Signature Requirements; Remonstrance Forms; Procedure
36-4-3-11.4. Signature Requirements for Annexation Involving an Economic Development Project
36-4-3-11.5. Waiver of Remonstrance Not Required
36-4-3-11.6. Attorney's Fees and Costs for Prevailing Remonstrators
36-4-3-11.7. Remonstrance Waivers; Expiration; Notice to Property Owner
36-4-3-12. Remonstrances; Hearing; Judgment
36-4-3-13. Remonstrances; Hearing; Order; Requirements
36-4-3-14. Remonstrances; Hearing; Change of Venue; Status of Annexation Pending
36-4-3-15. Remonstrances; Judgment; Repeal of Annexation; Effective Date of Annexation
36-4-3-15.3. Prohibition Against Annexation; Settlement Agreement
36-4-3-15.5. Appeals After Final Publication of Annexation Ordinance; Procedure
36-4-3-15.7. Appeal of Annexation Pending on January 1, 2014
36-4-3-17. Disannexation; Petition; Remonstrances; Hearing; Order
36-4-3-18. Disannexation; Appeal of Order; Bond; Scope of Order
36-4-3-20. Disannexation; Limitation on Subsequent Proceedings
36-4-3-21. Contracts With Owners or Lessees of Designated Properties in Lieu of Annexation
36-4-3-22. Filing and Recording Annexation Ordinances; Copies; Tax Records
36-4-3-22.1. Notice to Chairman of Alcohol and Tobacco Commission of Licensed Premises