Sec. 1.5. (a) For purposes of this chapter, territory sought to be annexed may be considered “contiguous” only if at least one-eighth (1/8) of the aggregate external boundaries of the territory coincides with the boundaries of the annexing municipality. In determining if a territory is contiguous, a strip of land less than one hundred fifty (150) feet wide that connects the annexing municipality to the territory is not considered a part of the boundaries of either the municipality or the territory.

     (b) This subsection applies to an annexation for which an annexation ordinance is adopted after June 30, 2015. A public highway or the rights-of-way of a public highway are contiguous to:

(1) the municipality; or

(2) property in the unincorporated area adjacent to the public highway or rights-of-way of a public highway;

if the public highway or the rights-of-way of a public highway are contiguous under subsection (a) and one (1) of the requirements in subsection (c) is satisfied.

     (c) A public highway or the rights-of-way of a public highway are not contiguous unless one (1) of the following requirements is met:

(1) The municipality obtains the written consent of the owners of all property:

(A) adjacent to the entire length of the part of the public highway and rights-of-way of the public highway that is being annexed; and

(B) not already within the corporate boundaries of the municipality.

A waiver of the right of remonstrance executed by a property owner or a successor in title of the property owner for sewer services or water services does not constitute written consent for purposes of this subdivision.

(2) All property adjacent to at least one (1) side of the entire length of the part of the public highway or rights-of-way of the public highway being annexed is already within the corporate boundaries of the municipality.

(3) All property adjacent to at least one (1) side of the entire length of the part of the public highway or rights-of-way of the public highway being annexed is part of the same annexation ordinance in which the public highway or rights-of-way of a public highway are being annexed.

A municipality may not annex a public highway or the rights-of-way of a public highway or annex territory adjacent to the public highway or rights-of-way of a public highway unless the requirements of this section are met.

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.308, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.228-2015, SEC.3; P.L.206-2016, SEC.1.