PITTSBURGH — An Indiana scrapyard owner who has been operating for years without the necessary permits has been ordered to close his business.

Marlin Knepp, who operates the Shipshewana-based business, has been denied a zoning variance by the LaGrange County Board of Zoning Appeals that is necessary to continue operations.

Knepp operates on property that is zoned A-1 agriculture, and a feeder yard isn’t an acceptable use. His business came under scrutiny after neighbors complained that the scrapyard was in a state of disarray and dragging down their property values.

An August 2011 nuisance hearing had been canceled after Knepp promised to clean the area, but the property reverted back to its earlier state by February, according to minutes from a subsequent nuisance hearing in April.

After the last hearing, Knepp cleaned up the site and sought a variance. He couldn’t be reached for comment.