15-1-403. Annexing territories; initiation of proceedings; by landowners' petition; validity of signatures; determinations.

(a) The proceedings for annexation of eligible territory may be initiated by a written petition filed with the clerk of the city or town to which annexation of the territory is proposed, after compliance with the following conditions and procedures:

(i) The petition is signed and dated by a majority of the landowners owning a majority of the area sought to be annexed, excluding public streets and alleys and tax exempt property;

(ii) The petition contains the following detailed information:

(A) A legal description of the area sought to be annexed;

(B) A request that the described territory be annexed;

(C) A statement that each signer is an owner of land and a description of his land within the area proposed to be annexed; and

(D) A map of the area.

(b) No signature on the petition is valid if it is dated more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date of filing the petition with the clerk. No person signing a petition for annexation may withdraw his signature from the petition after it has been filed with the clerk.

(c) The clerk shall within ten (10) days from the date the petition is filed, determine if the petition substantially complies with this article.

(d) If the petition complies, the clerk shall certify compliance, and the procedure outlined in W.S. 15-1-402, 15-1-405 and 15-1-406 shall then be followed. If it does not comply the petitioner shall be notified that no further action will be taken on the petition until compliance is made.