Indiana § 36-8-11-5.1 - Multiple county district; establishment of district
Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 36-8-11-5.1 — Multiple county district; establishment of district, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 36-8-11-5.1. Multiple county district; establishment of district
Sec. 5.1. (a) This section applies to a district that consists of a municipality located in two (2) counties.
(b) This section does not apply to a merged district under section 23 of this chapter.
(c) Freeholders within the proposed district who desire the establishment of a fire protection district must initiate proceedings by filing a petition to establish the district with the county auditor of the county where the freeholder's land is located. Sections 6 and 7 of this chapter apply to a petition filed under this section. The number of freeholders who signed a petition shall be certified by the county auditor of the county that is the subject of the petition. If a petition is filed in both counties, the county auditor of the secondary county shall forward the petition to the primary county.
(d) The county auditor of the primary county shall present the petition to the legislative body of the primary county at its next regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose. Before or at the meeting, the legislative body shall determine whether the petition bears the necessary signatures and complies with requirements as to form and content. The legislative body may not dismiss a petition with the requisite signatures because of alleged defects without permitting amendments to correct errors in form or content.
(e) In determining whether the signers of a petition are freeholders, the names as they appear on the tax duplicates are prima facie evidence of the ownership of land.
(f) If the legislative body of the primary county determines that the petition conforms to the requirements of this chapter, the primary county or the secondary county, or both, may set a date for a public hearing on whether a fire protection district should, as a matter of public policy, be established in the area proposed in the petition. The district is established when both legislative bodies adopt an identical ordinance or resolution establishing the district.
As added by P.L.36-2000, SEC.5.
Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 36-8-11-5.1
What does Indiana Code § 36-8-11-5.1 cover?
Section 36-8-11-5.1 ("Multiple county district; establishment of district") 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 § 36-8-11-5.1?
A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 36-8-11-5.1" (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 § 36-8-11-5.1 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.