Ind. Code ch. 36-8-2

in effect

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-1 Application of chapter

Sec. 1. This chapter applies to all units except townships. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: Part new; 18-1-1.5-1 part; 18-1-1.5-1.5 part; 18-1-1.5-30 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-2 Police and law enforcement system; hiring procedures

Sec. 2. (a) A unit may establish, maintain, and operate a police and law enforcement system to preserve public peace and order and may provide facilities, equipment, and supplies for that system. (b) Before hiring a person as a law enforcement officer, including a police reserve officer described in IC 36-8-3-20, the hiring department or agency shall contact every law enforcement department or agency that has employed (or that currently employs) the applicant and request that the employing department or agency provide: (1) a complete and unredacted copy of all documents related to disciplinary action or internal investigations (whether performed by an internal investigator or an outside agency) involving the officer; and (2) the hiring department or agency with a copy of the applicant's entire employment file, except for any medical records or information. (c) An agency or department that receives a request under subsection (b) or under IC 5-2-24-2 shall: (1) comply with the request not later than ten (10) business days from receipt of the request; and (2) upon request of the applicant, provide the applicant with a copy of the information provided to the hiring department or agency. No covenant, promise, or agreement to refrain from disclosure of the information described in subsection (b) prevents compliance with the requirements imposed by this section. An agency or department acting in good faith is immune from civil and criminal liability for complying with this subsection. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-6(b); 18-1-1.5-15(a); 18-1-1.5-15(c); 18-3-1-40 part; 18-4-2-13 part; 18-4-2-20 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.12-2021, SEC.9; P.L.64-2022, SEC.13; P.L.173-2023, SEC.3; P.L.57-2026, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-3 Firefighting and fire prevention system

Sec. 3. A unit may establish, maintain, and operate a firefighting and fire prevention system and may provide facilities and equipment for that system. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-15(b); 18-1-1.5-15(c); 18-3-1-36; 18-3-1-38 part; 18-4-2-20 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-4 Regulation of dangerous conduct or property

Sec. 4. A unit may regulate conduct, or use or possession of property, that might endanger the public health, safety, or welfare. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-6(c); 18-1-1.5-6(d); 18-1-1.5-6(e); 18-1-1.5-7(f); 18-1-1.5-7(h); 18-3-1-37 part; 18-3-1-39 part; 18-3-1-40 part; 18-3-1-44 part; 18-4-2-26 part; 18-5-10-7 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-5 Medical care, health, and community services; hospitals

Sec. 5. (a) A unit may do the following: (1) Provide medical care or other health and community services to persons. (2) Impose restrictions upon persons or animals that might cause other persons or animals to be injured or contract diseases. (3) Establish, aid, maintain, and operate hospitals. (b) A municipality may exercise powers granted by subsection (a)(1) and (a)(3) in areas within four (4) miles outside its corporate boundaries. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-7(b); 18-1-1.5-7(e); 18-1-1.5-7(l); 18-1-1.5-14(n); 18-3-1-22.5; 18-4-2-11 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.277-2019, SEC.8.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-6 Animals; capture and destruction; shelters

Sec. 6. (a) A unit may: (1) capture and destroy animals if necessary; and (2) establish, maintain, and operate animal shelters. (b) A municipality may exercise the powers in subsection (a)(2) within four (4) miles outside its corporate boundaries. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-7(g); 18-1-1.5-14(o); 18-3-1-39 part; 18-4-12-4(4).] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.277-2019, SEC.9.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-7 Regulation of business use of watercourse

Sec. 7. A unit may regulate any business use of a watercourse. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 18-1-1.5-9(d) part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-8 Regulation of introduction of substance, odor, or sound in air

Sec. 8. A unit may regulate the introduction of any substance or odor into the air, or any generation of sound. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-12; 18-3-1-39 part; 18-4-21-1; 18-4-21-2; 18-4-21-3.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-9 Regulation of public gatherings

Sec. 9. A unit may regulate public gatherings, such as shows, demonstrations, fairs, conventions, sporting events, and exhibitions. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-6(a); 18-4-2-13 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-10 Regulation of businesses and professions

Sec. 10. A unit may regulate the operation of businesses, crafts, professions, and occupations. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-7(c); 18-1-1.5-13(a); 18-3-1-41 part; 18-4-2-12 part; 18-4-2-18 part; 18-4-2-19; 18-4-2-21 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-11 Regulation of solicitations

Sec. 11. A unit may regulate solicitation by persons offering goods or services to the public or solicitation for charitable causes. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-13(e); 18-3-1-41 part; 18-4-2-12 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-12 Weights and measures standards control system

Sec. 12. A unit may establish, maintain, and operate a weights and measures standards control system. However, a unit may not establish fees for inspections or tests relating to weights and measures. [Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-15(d); 18-4-2-21 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.171-1985, SEC.2.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-13 Repealed

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citations: 18-1-1.5-6(d) part; 18-1-1.5-7 part; 18-1-1.5-14 part.] As added by Acts 1980, P.L.211, SEC.3. Repealed by P.L.277-2019, SEC.10.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-14 Repeal of extraterritorial authority; ordinances and resolutions adopted before January 1, 2019

Sec. 14. (a) The repeal of section 13 of this chapter does not operate to void an ordinance or resolution adopted by a municipality before January 1, 2019, that exercises a power: (1) under the sole authority of section 4 of this chapter; and (2) within the four (4) mile area outside the municipality's boundaries under the authority of section 13 of this chapter (before its repeal). (b) The validity of an ordinance or resolution described in subsection (a) may be challenged in a legal proceeding by an aggrieved party. (c) The repeal of section 13 of this chapter operates to void an ordinance or resolution adopted by a municipality after December 31, 2018, that exercises a power under the sole authority of section 4 of this chapter. As added by P.L.277-2019, SEC.11.

Ind. Code § 36-8-2-15 Repeal of extraterritorial authority; ordinances and resolutions adopted before July 1, 2019

Sec. 15. The repeal of section 13 of this chapter operates to void an ordinance or resolution adopted by a municipality before July 1, 2019, that exercises a power: (1) under the sole authority of: (A) section 5(a)(2) of this chapter; (B) section 6(a)(1) of this chapter; or (C) both section 5(a)(2) of this chapter and section 6(a)(1) of this chapter; and (2) within the four (4) mile area outside the municipality's boundaries under the authority of section 13 of this chapter (before its repeal). As added by P.L.277-2019, SEC.12.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/36Fetched: 10/17/2026