Landscaping Rules in Evansville, IN (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Evansville, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Trimming a street, park, or public tree in Evansville needs Tree Advisory Board sign-off for anything beyond routine care; topping a tree or cutting limbs back to stubs over three inches is banned without approval.
Evansville Public Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsEvansville Municipal Code § 2.90.070(F)
It shall be unlawful for any person to: (1) top or head any public tree, or (2) cut any public tree's limbs within the tree's canopy back to stubs larger than three inches in diameter, unless approved by the Tree Advisory Board, or its designated agent.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Public tree removal permits in Evansville come only from the Tree Advisory Board or its agent, must spell out the work, and expire after 60 days unless the Board extends them.
Evansville Tree Removal Permit Validity
Some RestrictionsEvansville Municipal Code § 2.90.090
No person shall remove a public tree unless the Tree Advisory Board or its designated agent shall have first granted a proper permit. (B) No permits shall be necessary in the emergency situations as detailed in EMC 2.90.080. (C) Every permit issued by the Tree Advisory Board or its designated agent shall specifically describe the work to be done and be valid for a period of 60 days from t...
Weed Ordinances
Evansville bans rank vegetation and overgrown weeds on any lot in the city, with cultivated farmland, established forest buffers, and wetlands carved out as excluded property.
Evansville Weed and Rank Vegetation Ordinance
Some RestrictionsEvansville Municipal Code §§ 8.05.180, 8.05.190(B)
“Rank vegetation” refers to any plant growth, which is or may be harmful to the senses, health or well-being of citizens of the jurisdiction. It also includes invasive vegetation listed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and noxious vegetation listed by the United States Department of Agriculture. “Weeds” refers to any growth of vegetation, other than trees, bushes, shrubs, ornam...
Native Plants
Evansville lets property owners plant managed natural landscapes of Indiana native plants instead of turf grass, as long as the area is edged and kept weed-free.
Evansville Native Plant Landscape Rules
Light RestrictionsEvansville Municipal Code § 8.05.255
(A) Managed natural landscapes shall not include turf-grass lawns left unattended. (B) The managed landscape must be maintained to prevent the growth of weeds and rank vegetation. (C) The area must be clearly defined by edging, fencing, or landscaping material. A native planting that directly abuts at least two feet of mowed and maintained turf grass will be considered to have adequate ed...
Composting
Evansville, Indiana doesn't ban backyard composting, but any compost pile on residential or commercial property must be screened from public street view under the city's refuse container rules.
Evansville, Indiana Composting and Compost Pile Rules
Light RestrictionsEvansville Municipal Code § 8.05.050(D)
Between days of regular collection for solid waste, yard waste and recyclable materials (“refuse”), the owner, occupant or agent for any commercial or residential property shall cause all refuse to be bundled, bagged or contained and stored on such property at a location which is not visible from the street. Compost piles, if any, on such properties shall be sheltered from street view. No refus...
Looking for Vanderburgh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Evansville city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Vanderburgh County →