Ind. Code ch. 14-22-31.5

Ind. Code ch. 14-22-31.5
in effect

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-1 "Local unit of government" defined

Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "local unit of government" means a county, city, town, or township. As added by P.L.134-1996, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-2 "Person" defined

Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "person" means an individual, an association, a business entity, or a governmental entity. As added by P.L.134-1996, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-3 "Shooting range" defined

Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "shooting range" means an area designed and operated for the use of archery, rifles, shotguns, pistols, muskets, or similar firearms that are fired at silhouettes, skeet, trap, paper, stillboard, or other similar targets. As added by P.L.134-1996, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-5 Local government regulation

Sec. 5. Except as specifically prohibited by this chapter and subject to IC 35-47-11.1 and IC 36-7-4.2, a local unit of government may regulate the location, use, operation, safety, and construction of a shooting range. As added by P.L.134-1996, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.152-2011, SEC.1; P.L.117-2026, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-6 Liability relating to noise

Sec. 6. A person who owns, operates, or uses a shooting range is not liable in any civil or criminal matter relating to noise or noise pollution that results from the operation or use of the shooting range if the construction and operation of the shooting range were legal at the time of its initial construction or initial operation, and the shooting range continues to operate in a manner that would have been legal at the time of the inception or initial operation. As added by P.L.134-1996, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.289-2013, SEC.16.

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-7 Powers of ranges in existence before July 1, 1996

Sec. 7. Notwithstanding any ordinance adopted by a local unit of government, a shooting range that is in existence before July 1, 1996, may do the following within the geographic boundaries of the shooting range as it existed on June 30, 1996: (1) Repair, remodel, or reinforce a building or structure that is needed to ensure public safety or to secure the continued use of the building or structure. (2) Reconstruct, repair, restore, or resume the use of a nonconforming building that has been damaged by fire, collapse, explosion, act of nature, or war after July 1, 1996. However, the reconstruction, repair, or restoration must be completed not more than one (1) year after the date of the damage to the building or the settlement of the property damage claim. If the reconstruction, repair, or restoration is not completed within one (1) year, the local unit of government may terminate the continuation of the nonconforming use. (3) Expand or increase the membership of the shooting range or opportunities for public participation at the shooting range. As added by P.L.134-1996, SEC.4.

Ind. Code § 14-22-31.5-8 Issuance of shooting range permit by local unit

Sec. 8. (a) The maintenance, repair, renovation, modernization, or expansion of buildings, structures, or facilities used in connection with a shooting range, including improvements to safety, security accessibility, or environmental controls, is a continuation of a permitted use and may not be treated by a local unit of government as: (1) an expansion of a nonconforming use; or (2) a basis to deny, delay, or condition approval of any permit that is otherwise required under applicable building codes or safety regulations. (b) A local unit of government shall review and act upon any application for a permit described in subsection (a) using the same objective standards and procedures that apply to similarly situated commercial, industrial, or agricultural properties, without regard to the: (1) type of goods or services offered by the shooting range; or (2) status of the property with respect to annexation. (c) A local unit of government may not condition, explicitly or implicitly, the approval, issuance, or timely processing of a permit described in subsection (a) on the: (1) owner's or operator's consent to annexation by a municipality (as defined in IC 36-1-2-11); or (2) waiver of any right granted to the owner or operator under this chapter or any other law. (d) Nothing in this section prohibits a local unit of government from enforcing generally applicable building, fire, or safety codes that are: (1) neutral and of general applicability; and (2) not adopted or applied for the purpose of restricting, hindering, or causing the closure of a shooting range. As added by P.L.117-2026, SEC.2.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/14Fetched: 10/17/2026