Indiana § 14-16-1-28 - Duties of landowners and tenants

Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 14-16-1-28 — Duties of landowners and tenants, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 14-16-1-28. Duties of landowners and tenants

Sec. 28. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), landowners and tenants of land do not owe a duty of care to do any of the following:

(1) Keep their premises safe for entry or use by persons operating, using, or riding in vehicles for recreational purposes.

(2) Give a warning of a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity on their premises to such persons.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (d), a landowner or tenant who invites or permits a person to operate, use, or ride in a vehicle for recreational purposes on the landowner's or tenant's property does not do any of the following:

(1) Make any representation or extend any assurances that the premises are safe for any purpose.

(2) Confer upon the person the legal status of invitee or licensee to whom a duty of care is owed.

(3) Assume responsibility for or incur liability for any injury to a person or property caused by an act or omission of the person.

(c) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, this section is considered applicable to the duties and liabilities of:

(1) an owner of land leased to; or

(2) the owner of an interest or a right in land transferred to or the subject of an agreement with;

the United States or an agency or a subdivision of the United States or the state or an agency or a subdivision of the state.

(d) This section does not do the following:

(1) Limit in any way any liability that otherwise exists.

(2) Apply to the following:

(A) Willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a dangerous condition, use, structure, or activity.

(B) Deliberate, willful, or malicious injury to a person or property.

(C) Injury suffered in any case where the owner of land or tenant charges a fee or admission charge or other valuable consideration to a person who enters or uses the land with a vehicle for the purpose of using the vehicle for recreational purposes.

However, if land or an interest or a right in land is leased or transferred to or the subject of an agreement with the United States or an agency or a subdivision of the United States or to the state or an agency or subdivision of the state, any consideration received by the holder of the lease, interest, right, or agreement is not considered a charge under this section.

(e) This section does not do any of the following:

(1) Create or increase a duty of care or ground of liability for injury to a person or property.

(2) Relieve a person using a vehicle for recreational purposes upon the land of another from an obligation that the person may have in the absence of this section to exercise care in the use of the land and the person's activities on the land or from the legal consequences of failure to employ care.

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 14-1-3-18.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.9.

Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 14-16-1-28

What does Indiana Code § 14-16-1-28 cover?

Section 14-16-1-28 ("Duties of landowners and tenants") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Indiana § 14-16-1-28?

A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 14-16-1-28" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Indiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.

How does Indiana § 14-16-1-28 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.