2023 Indiana Code › Title 36. Local Government › Article 7. Planning and Development › Chapter 4. Local Planning and Zoning › 36-7-4-606. Zoning Ordinance; Procedure on Proposal to Adopt Initial or Replacement Ordinance for a Jurisdiction

Sec. 606. (a) This section applies to a proposal, as described in section 602(a) of this chapter, to adopt an initial zoning ordinance (or to adopt a replacement zoning ordinance after repealing the entire zoning ordinance, including amendments and zone maps) for a jurisdiction.
(b) At the first regular meeting of the legislative body after the plan commission certifies the proposal under section 605 of this chapter, the legislative body shall either:
(1) adopt, reject, or amend the proposal; or
(2) decide to further consider the proposal, in which case the proposal may be scheduled for a further hearing at any regular or special meeting of the legislative body within ninety (90) days after certification. In any event, the legislative body shall vote on the proposal within ninety (90) days after the plan commission certifies the proposal under section 605 of this chapter.
(c) If the legislative body proceeds under subsection (b)(1), it shall give notice under IC 5-14-1.5-5 of its intention to consider the proposal at that meeting. If the legislative body proceeds under subsection (b)(2) to schedule a further hearing, it shall publish a notice of the hearing in accordance with IC 5-3-1, announce the hearing during a meeting, and enter the announcement in its memoranda and minutes. The notice and announcement must state:
(1) the date, time, and place of the hearing;
(2) that it pertains to an original zoning ordinance;
(3) that written objections to the proposal filed with the clerk of the legislative body or with the county auditor at or before the hearing will be heard; and
(4) that the hearing may be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.
(d) The recommendation of the plan commission concerning the proposal must be on file in the commission's office for public examination for at least ten (10) days before any hearing scheduled under subsection (b)(2). On completion of the hearing, the legislative body shall consider the proposal.
(e) If the legislative body adopts the proposal, the ordinance takes effect as other ordinances of the legislative body.
(f) If the legislative body fails to act on the proposal within ninety (90) days after certification, the ordinance takes effect as if it had been adopted (as certified) ninety (90) days after certification.
(g) If the legislative body rejects or amends the proposal, it shall be returned to the plan commission for its consideration, with a written statement of the reasons for the rejection or amendment. The commission has forty-five (45) days in which to consider the rejection or amendment and report to the legislative body as follows:
(1) If the commission approves the amendment or fails to act within the forty-five (45) day period, the ordinance stands as passed by the legislative body as of the date of the filing of the commission's report of approval with the legislative body or the end of the forty-five (45) day period.
(2) If the commission disapproves the rejection or amendment, the action of the legislative body on the original rejection or amendment stands only if confirmed by another vote of the legislative body within forty-five (45) days after the commission certifies its disapproval. If the legislative body fails to confirm its action under this subdivision, then the ordinance takes effect in the manner provided in subsection (f).
[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-7-2-43; 18-7-2-44; 18-7-4-606; 18-7-4-50; 18-7-4-51; 18-7-5-63 part; 18-7-5-64.]
As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.23. Amended by Acts 1981, P.L.45, SEC.21; P.L.356-1983, SEC.1; P.L.335-1985, SEC.20; P.L.220-1986, SEC.20.