Landscaping Rules in Hammond, IN (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Hammond, Indiana, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Hammond's Park Department, under Board of Park Commissioners direction, controls trimming of public trees, but § 105.03 of the Hammond Code of Ordinances lets the city's Street Department cut back trees blocking a public street, alley or way to keep sightlines and passage clear. Section 105.18 sets arboricultural standards for all trimming and bars topping street trees.
Street Tree Trimming Rules in Hammond
Some RestrictionsHammond Code of Ordinances §§ 105.03, 105.18
However, the city’s Street Department shall have the authority to perform trimming and cutting of trees in or obstructing any public street, alley or way as may be necessary to provide unobstructed vision or free passage of pedestrians or motorists along the streets or public ways. ... All trimming, pruning and any other tree care activities shall comply with good arboricultural practices as de...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a public tree from the tree lawn in front of a Hammond property, for construction or any other reason, requires a tree care permit from the city under § 105.18(A) of the Hammond Code of Ordinances, and the owner pays for the full removal, including stump grinding and chipping the limbs. Section 105.19 covers emergency removals after storm damage.
Removing a Street Tree in Hammond
Some RestrictionsHammond Code of Ordinances §§ 105.18, 105.19
No person or property owner shall remove a tree or a boundary tree from the public tree lawn for the purpose of construction, or for any other reason, without first securing a tree care permit from the City of Hammond. The person or property owner shall bear the cost of complete removal, including the chipping of all limbs and removal of stump. ... In emergencies, when a tree or trees have been...
Weed Ordinances
Hammond bans vegetation, including grass and weeds, over 6 inches tall on any improved or unimproved lot in the city. Owners get a written notice with 10 days to cut it before the city abates the nuisance and bills the property, and fines run $10 to $500 per day of noncompliance.
Hammond, IN 6-Inch Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsHammond Code of Ordinances §§ 94.090, 94.091, 94.999(F)
(A) Growth in excess of 6 inches declared a nuisance. It shall be unlawful for any person, legal entity, business, railroad properties or organization to permit, suffer or allow any vegetation of any kind whatsoever to be, remain, or grow to a height above 6 inches from the ground on any improved or unimproved real property within the city. ... It shall be the duty of any person owning, leasi...
Composting
Composting is allowed in Hammond, Indiana under Hammond Code of Ordinances § 94.023, but every pile is capped at 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide, must sit at the rear of the lot, and can never contain cooked food, meat, fish, manure or animal bones. Violators face up to $2,500 per day.
Hammond Backyard Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsHammond Code of Ordinances § 94.023
Composting shall be permitted within the city as stated herein. ... All compost piles shall be enclosed in a controlled standing compost system. Each compost shall be no taller than 3 feet and no wider than 5 feet. ... All compost piles shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests. The presence of rodents in or near a compost pile shall be cause for the ...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hammond city rules.
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