Indiana § 36-5-1-2 - Requirements of petition to incorporate town

Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 36-5-1-2 — Requirements of petition to incorporate town, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 36-5-1-2. Requirements of petition to incorporate town

Sec. 2. (a) Proceedings to incorporate a town may be instituted by filing a written petition in quadruplicate with the executive of the county that contains all or a majority of the territory sought to be incorporated. The petition must be signed by at least ten percent (10%) of the owners of land in the territory and must state the following:

(1) The territory is used or will, in the reasonably foreseeable future, be used generally for commercial, industrial, residential, or similar purposes.

(2) The territory is reasonably compact and contiguous.

(3) There is enough undeveloped land in the territory to permit reasonable growth of the town.

(4) Incorporation is in the best interests of the citizens of the territory.

(5) The name, telephone number, and electronic mail address (if available) of the contact person for the petitioners.

(6) If the petitioners want the incorporation to be approved by a public question at a special election, that the petitioners agree to pay the costs of the special election.

(b) The signatures of the petitioners must be verified, and the verification must include a statement that the petitioners are owners of land in the territory sought to be incorporated.

(c) In determining the number of petitioners, not more than one (1) person having an interest in a single parcel of land may be counted, and a person owning more than one (1) parcel of land in the area may be counted only once.

(d) The petition filed under subsection (a) must be accompanied by the ordinance of any city required to consent to the incorporation under section 7 of this chapter.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-3-1-4.]

As added by Acts 1980, P.L.212, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.195-1984, SEC.1; P.L.86-1999, SEC.1; P.L.147-2013, SEC.1.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 36-5-1-2

What does Indiana Code § 36-5-1-2 cover?

Section 36-5-1-2 ("Requirements of petition to incorporate town") 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 § 36-5-1-2?

A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 36-5-1-2" (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 § 36-5-1-2 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.