Fort Wayne owners must keep branches clear of streets and sidewalks. Street trees in the right-of-way are managed by Urban Forestry and need a permit to trim or remove.
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreations Urban Forestry division manages the citys public tree canopy, including all trees in the street right-of-way (the strip between sidewalk and curb) and in public parks. Homeowners must keep overhanging branches cleared to at least 8 feet above sidewalks and 14 feet above streets to maintain clearance for pedestrians and vehicles. Dead, diseased, or hazardous limbs must be removed promptly. Any pruning or removal of a street tree requires a no-cost permit from Urban Forestry; unauthorized cutting can result in replacement fees equal to the appraised value of the tree. Homeowners are free to trim trees wholly on their private property, subject to Indiana common-law limits on crossing onto a neighbors land. The city offers periodic free tree-planting programs for residents.
Unauthorized trimming or removal of a street tree can result in replacement value billing, typically several hundred to several thousand dollars depending on species and size.
Fort Wayne, IN
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Fort Wayne, IN
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See how Fort Wayne's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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