Bill > SB0176

This bill clarifies and expands the permitted uses for shooting ranges and sporting goods stores within Indiana, aiming to prevent local governments from unfairly restricting these businesses. Specifically, it states that any maintenance, repair, renovation, modernization, or expansion of shooting range facilities, including improvements to safety, security, accessibility, or environmental controls, is considered a continuation of an existing permitted use and cannot be used by local governments to claim it's an expansion of a nonconforming use or to deny, delay, or condition permits required by building codes or safety regulations. The bill also establishes that if an area is zoned for commercial use, a retail sporting goods store, defined as a store primarily selling new sporting goods including firearms, is a permitted use. Furthermore, if a property is zoned for commercial, industrial, or agricultural use, an indoor shooting range, defined as a fully enclosed facility designed for firearm discharge with specific safety features, is also permitted, provided certain construction and noise limitation conditions are met. These provisions are intended to streamline the process for these businesses and ensure they are treated fairly under local zoning laws, with some exceptions for historic areas, flood plains, and certain mixed-use residential developments.