(a) The acquisition and improvement of land for use by the public as an airport and the maintenance of commercial passenger aircraft is a municipal purpose regardless of whether the airport or maintenance facility is owned or operated by a municipality. The owner of any airport located in this state, who holds a valid and current public airport certificate issued by the Indiana department of transportation, may claim an exemption for only so much of the land as is reasonably necessary to and used for public airport purposes. A person maintaining commercial passenger aircraft in a county having a population of:

1. (1) more than two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) and less than three hundred thousand (300,000); or

2. (2) more than three hundred fifty thousand (350,000) and less than four hundred thousand (400,000);

   may claim an exemption for commercial passenger aircraft not subject to the aircraft excise tax under IC 6-6-6.5 that is being assessed under this article, if it is located in the county only for the purposes of maintenance.

(c) As used in this section, "land used for public airport purposes" includes the following:

1. (1) That part of airport land used for the taking off or landing of aircraft, taxiways, runway and taxiway lighting, access roads, auto and aircraft parking areas, and all buildings providing basic facilities for the traveling public.

2. (2) Real property owned by the airport owner and used for airport operation and maintenance purposes, which includes the following property:

   1. (A) Leased property that:

      1. (i) is used for agricultural purposes; and
      2. (ii) is located within the area that federal law and regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration restrict to activities and purposes compatible with normal airport operations.
   2. (B) Runway protection zones.
   3. (C) Avigation easements.
   4. (D) Safety and transition areas, as specified in IC 8-21-10 concerning the regulation of tall structures and 14 CFR Part 77 concerning the safe, efficient use and preservation of the navigable airspace.
   5. (E) Land purchased using funds that include grant money provided by the Federal Aviation Administration or the Indiana department of transportation.
3. (3) Real property used in providing for the shelter, storage, or care of aircraft, including hangars.

4. (4) Housing for weather and signaling equipment, navigational aids, radios, or other electronic equipment.

   The term does not include land areas used solely for purposes unrelated to aviation.

   [Pre-1975 Property Tax Recodification Citations: 6-1-11-1; 6-1-11-2.]

   Formerly: Acts 1975, P.L.47, SEC.1. As amended by Acts 1980, P.L.74, SEC.15; P.L.77-1989, SEC.1; P.L.18-1990, SEC.18; P.L.126-2000, SEC.3; P.L.119-2012, SEC.16; P.L.180-2016, SEC.8; P.L.104-2022, SEC.19.