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Tree Protection

Tree Protection in Noblesville, IN: What Residents Actually Need to Know

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

If you live in Noblesville or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Noblesville has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Replacement Requirements

Under UDC § 159.087 (Street Trees), trees must be planted as a public improvement along any new subdivision street, at the developer's cost. Spacing is 40 to 60 feet between trees, installed between the right-of-way and 15 feet outside the right-of-way, with each tree centered between the sidewalk and curb (unless the City Forester directs otherwise). Only species on the City of Noblesville Approved Tree Species List may be planted (Ordinance 8-3-09 and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual). Trees on a Tree Preservation Plan that are designated for retention must be welled and protected against grade change under § 159.083.

Key details: Subdivision Street Trees: Required — developer's cost (§ 159.087). Spacing: 40–60 feet between trees. Location: Between ROW and 15 ft outside ROW; centered between sidewalk and curb. Species Source: City of Noblesville Approved Street Tree Species List. Standards: Ordinance 8-3-09 + Arboricultural Specifications Manual (Jan 2024).

Failing to install required street trees during subdivision build-out violates § 159.087 and stops issuance of certificates of occupancy. Failing to install required landscape plan plantings without an approved alternative arrangement allows the Director of Planning and Development to call the 110% surety bond and install the plantings using bond proceeds. Removing a tree designated for retention on an approved Tree Preservation Plan triggers replacement requirements under UDC § 159.083 and additional review by the Planning Department. Planting a non-approved species as a street tree without the City Forester's written exception violates § 159.087 and Ordinance 8-3-09.

Tree Removal Permits

Noblesville requires Urban Forester approval for any work on street trees and trees on City-owned property under Code Chapter 97 (Street Trees, Ordinance 8-3-09). Within land development under UDC § 159.083, no tree removal — nor change of grade — is permitted until the primary plat is approved, and § 159.183 limits clearance to that necessary for improvements specifically authorized by the improvement location permit. Trees with a minimum diameter of six (6) inches must be inventoried on a Tree Preservation Plan. Tree removal on fully private residential lots (not under development review and not in the ROW) generally requires no City permit.

Key details: ROW / City Trees: Urban Forester permit (Ch. 97). Land Development: No removal/grading until primary plat approved (§ 159.083). Clearance Limit: Only as authorized by improvement location permit (§ 159.183). Tree Preservation Plan: Required — all trees ≥ 6-inch diameter inventoried. Heritage / Retained Trees: Cannot be removed without City review.

Removing or damaging a street tree without an Urban Forester permit violates Chapter 97 with penalties under § 97.99 plus restitution at the appraised value (Arboricultural Specifications Manual). Clearing trees during land development before primary plat approval, or beyond the scope of an improvement location permit, violates UDC § 159.083 / § 159.183 and stops issuance of further development permits. Cutting any tree on a Tree Preservation Plan that was designated for retention triggers replacement and may forfeit the surety bond. Cutting a tree on another's property exposes the actor to treble damages under IC 25-36.5.

Heritage & Protected Trees

The City of Noblesville maintains an official Heritage Tree List published by the Tree Board and the Urban Forester. The Heritage Tree List, alongside the Approved Street Tree Species List, the Successful Tree List, and the Undesirable Tree Species List, is referenced through Chapter 97 (Street Trees, Ordinance 8-3-09) and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual (January 2024). Heritage trees identified for retention under a Tree Preservation Plan or as a development condition of approval cannot be removed without City review under UDC § 159.083. Noblesville has held Tree City USA designation for 35 consecutive years — the longest run in Hamilton County.

Key details: Heritage Tree List: Published by Tree Board / Urban Forester. Authority: Code Ch. 97 + UDC § 159.083 + Arboricultural Specifications Manual. Tree Board: 7 members — master plan for care, preservation, removal. Companion Lists: Approved Street Tree, Successful Tree, Undesirable Tree. Tree City USA: 35+ consecutive years (longest in Hamilton County).

Removing or damaging a heritage-listed tree, a specimen tree, or a tree under a retention condition without City approval violates UDC § 159.083 and stops issuance of development permits. Where the heritage tree is in the City right-of-way or on City property, removal without the Urban Forester's permit violates Chapter 97 with penalties under § 97.99 plus restitution at the appraised value of the tree under the Arboricultural Specifications Manual (large heritage trees often appraised at $10,000–$50,000+ using ISA Trunk Formula Method).

Tree Ordinances

Noblesville's tree protection framework rests on Code Chapter 97 (Street Trees, adopted via Ordinance 8-3-09), UDC § 159.083 (Preservation of Existing Natural Features), § 159.087 (Street Trees in development), §§ 159.183–159.186 (Landscape Design Standards, Parking Lot Landscaping, Building Base Landscaping, Landscape Buffer Yards), and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual (January 2024). The City Tree Board (seven members) develops the master plan; the Board of Public Works and Safety governs Chapter 97. Indiana Code 25-36.5 (Timber Buyers) and IC 36-1-3-4 (home rule) underpin local authority. Noblesville has been a Tree City USA for 35+ consecutive years.

Key details: Local Tree Code: Code Ch. 97 (Ord. 8-3-09) + UDC §§ 159.083, .087, .183–.186. Tree Board: 7 members; master plan for street trees. Governing Body: Board of Public Works and Safety. Urban Forester: John Easley — 317-776-6348. Standards Manual: Arboricultural Specifications Manual (January 2024).

Violations are enforced under the General Penalty for Chapter 97 (§ 97.99) for street tree violations, and through UDC enforcement procedures (stop-work orders, withholding of certificates of occupancy, calling of surety bonds) for landscape and preservation violations. The Indiana Code 25-36.5 treble-damages remedy is enforced through civil court. The Indiana DNR enforces 312 IAC 18-3-25 violations through stop-sale orders and civil penalties.

The Bottom Line

Noblesville's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Noblesville is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Noblesville's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.