What’s Happening?

The City of Fishers is in the process of considering an area for annexation, generally known as the “Southeast Fishers Annexation.” This area is currently within an unincorporated portion of Hamilton County where Fishers already has zoning jurisdiction, provides sanitary sewer service, and currently provides Fire and EMS services to residents (as a part of a contract with Fall Creek Township). Annexation is the process of bringing unincorporated areas of a county into an adjacent city. If an area is annexed, the City becomes the primary provider of local government services (if not already provided by the City), such as public safety and utilities.

See the Annexation Work Session presentation for more info.

Why Annexation?

You are already a valued member of the community. Being part of the City of Fishers means that you’ll have a voice on issues that affect your community, whether it be in city elections or by having a voice with city council or city boards and commissions. You’ll also be able to utilize the many benefits and programs offered by the City of Fishers, such as discounts on park programs, grant opportunities and full access to the Fishers Health Department. Annexation also allows for continuity of services and the efficient delivery of City services to residents.

How Can I Stay Informed?

Before introducing the annexation ordinance, the City is conducting an outreach program in an effort to inform citizens of the proposed annexation. The City will hold six (6) public meetings to provide citizens with information concerning maps of the proposed boundaries of the annexation territory, proposed plans for the extension of services in the annexation territory, and the expected fiscal impact on taxpayers in the annexation territory. The public information meetings will be an open-house format. These meetings are not public hearings and there is no formal program. The dates, times, and locations of the outreach program meetings are as follows:

DATES	TIME	LOCATION
Monday July 22, 2024	2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.	Fishers Fire Department Station 96 15263 E. 104^th Street, Fishers IN
Tuesday, July 23, 2024	4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

DATES	TIME	LOCATION
Wednesday, July 24, 2024	12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.	Fishers Municipal Complex Theater 1 Municipal Drive, Fishers IN
Monday July 29, 2024	4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 30, 2024	9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024	4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The maps and proposed fiscal impact information are also available during regular business hours at the Fishers Municipal Complex, 1 Municipal Drive, Fishers, Indiana 46038. Please direct any questions concerning the outreach meetings to fishersannexation@fishers.in.us.

What Happens Next?

After the public outreach program, the next formal step for the City would be to introduce ordinances for the proposed annexation, after which the City would hold a public hearing at a later date to be determined.

Annexation FAQ’s

What is Annexation?

Annexation is the process of bringing unincorporated areas of a county into an adjacent city. If an area is annexed, the city becomes the primary provider of local government services, such as public safety and utilities.

Why Annexation?

Is the proposed annexation an annexation of Fortville?

No. The proposed annexation is an annexation of unincorporated Hamilton County. Many of the parcels have Fortville addresses and zip codes for the purposes of the U.S. Post Office.

Will my property taxes change?

Yes, it is a possibility that your property tax may change. Tax structures are different between the city and the county, therefore residential taxes may change upon annexation. The city will provide a tax calculator to impacted residents to estimate your new tax bill.

Will my sanitary and stormwater utility service change?

Sanitary: If your property is on a sewer system, you are already receiving sanitary service through Fishers Utilities. Your rate for these services will not change.
Stormwater: If annexed, the City of Fishers will assume responsibility for stormwater service in the annexed area. Your residential unit would be billed for stormwater service by Fishers Utilities. Residents may still be subject to regulated drain fees charged by Hamilton County if they are in an area with a regulated drain.
Septic: If your property is on a septic system, you will not need to automatically connect to Fishers Utilities sanitary sewer system, but the City of Fishers Health Department will provide inspection services. More information can be found at health.fishers.gov.

Will I be required to pay for trash collection services?

The City of Fishers is currently in the process of establishing a city-wide trash contract, in which every single-family residential unit would be required to participate. If successful, the contract would commence in 2025 and all properties annexed would be required to participate. To find out more, please visit FishersIN.Gov/Trash.

Will my zip code change?

Postal addresses are managed by the U.S. Post Office. Your mailing address will not automatically change if annexed.

Will my school district change?

Annexation will not impact your school district. The proposed area is within the Hamilton Southeastern School District.

Will my zoning change?

No. The City of Fishers has already had zoning jurisdiction over the proposed annexation area. The zoning of this area is a part of the City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan and is not anticipated to change.

Will my police or fire services change?

Currently, the City of Fishers contracts with the Township to provide Fire and EMS services to the proposed annexation area. Upon annexation, Fire and EMS services will not change for the proposed annexation area, however the annexation area will no longer be included in the City’s Township Contract, but as a part of City Fire and EMS services.

Can I vote in City elections?

Yes! As a Fishers resident you will be able to vote in city elections and have a voice with city council, city boards and commissions.

If annexed, do I obtain building permits from the County or City?

Permits and inspections that fall within the City’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), such as new construction, remodels, or accessory structures are already provided by the City. Permits and inspections will continue to be provided by the City, post annexation.

What changes will happen immediately?

The City will assume responsibility for providing city services not already provided (i.e. infrastructure maintenance, police service, and storm water utility). Sewer inspections will be services by the Fishers Health Department.

How many non-remonstrance waivers exist in the proposed annexation?

The City has identified approximately 710 parcels subject to non- remonstrance waivers tied to sewer and zoning, in the proposed annexation area. Non-remonstrance waivers are typically signed by a property owner or developer at the time sewer services is permitted to a property by a City OR a commitment made by the developer for zoning approval by the City.

What laws do property owners in the annexation territory have to follow after the annexation?

Owners in the newly annexed area will be subject to the City’s ordinances and regulations, post annexation. However, some land uses may be considered a legal non-conforming use and allowed until the use changes or stops.
General Firearm Discharge
The City of Fishers Municipal Code (Fishers City Code) does not regulate firearms, pursuant to Ind. Code 35-47-11.1-2.  Section 130.01 of the City Code prohibits the discharge of dangerous projectiles, but explicitly exempts firearms.  The City’s Noise Ordinance may prohibit the shooting a gun in the City.
Shooting Range (Land Use)
The annexation territory is already within the City’s zoning jurisdiction, so whether or not a shooting range is permitted does not change with annexation. Under the City’s UDO, shooting ranges are classified as either outdoor recreational commercial use or as indoor entertainment commercial use.
Under the City’s UDO, outdoor shooting ranges are permitted only in C3, I1, MA, AG, and OS. Indoor ranges are only permitted in C2, C3, I1, MA (special exception), or OS. However, none of the annexation territory is zoned in these categories, so a shooting range would not a permitted use in this annexation territory, unless it was already a legal nonconforming use.
Hunting
Nothing in the Fishers City Code prohibits hunting on an owner’s own property.
Burning Trash
Indiana Department of Environmental Management prohibits the burning of trash throughout the State, so regardless of whether a property is in the City’s municipal boundaries or is in the annexed territory, burning of trash is prohibited.

Where can I find the Fiscal Plan?

See the Fiscal Plan.

If I have a septic system, will I be required to connect to the City’s sanitary sewer?

No, connection is not required unless the septic system fails inspection and there is sewer available in the area.

Where can I ask questions regarding the annexation?

The City will hold six public meetings for citizens to talk with staff about the annexation (see dates above). Citizens may also reach out to: fishersannexation@fishers.in.us with questions.

Additional City Amenities

Fishers Parks & Recreation

Fishers Parks offers more than 600 acres of public recreational area, including 25 park properties, 131 miles of nature and multiuse trails and 61 sports fields and 2 splash pads. More information on parks and trails can be found at fishersparks.com. City residents enjoy discounted rates on park rentals, classes and camps.

City of Fishers Health Department

The FHD team collaborates across the whole of the City of Fishers government to provide public health expertise during policy decisions, ensuring evidence-informed and health in all policy approaches to local government. In addition to a variety of clinic services, the health department oversees environmental permitting including septic inspections, water well inspections, food establishments, and swimming pools. While the proposed annexation area may already access FHD’s clinic services, the annexation will make residents eligible for individualized programs and access to care such as the Fall Prevention program, the social work staff, and additional education provided by FHD to residents. For more information, visit health.fishersin.gov.

City of Fishers Grants

The City of Fishers offers many types of grants, such as neighborhood vibrancy grants and stormwater grants. Once you are a resident of the City, you and/or your neighborhood will become eligible for City grants.

Private Residential Roads

The City of Fishers recently approved a process that would allow citizens who are responsible for private roads to petition the City to take that road into the City’s inventory as a public road, relieving adjacent property owners the burden of financing maintenance costs for private roads.

Tax Calculator

Please see the Tax Calculator and Basic Household Impact Examples. **The tax scenario PDF is an updated version. If you received another version previously, please disregard and reference this version on the landing page
The “Owner Lookup” will give the Owner the exact projection from the parcel database.
Use the drop-down or type in your name; a list will populate; select your name, and then every parcel listed under your name will show with impact projections.

See various assessed value scenarios.