Hammond, IN Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Under § 105.03, the Board of Park Commissioners adopts the rules for tree location and control on public streets, alleys, ways and parks through the city's Arboricultural Specifications Manual, but the Street Department keeps independent authority to trim or cut trees obstructing a public street, alley or way whenever needed for unobstructed vision or free passage of pedestrians and motorists. Section 105.15 exempts routine trimming of branches 3 inches in diameter or less from the tree care permit requirement, though anyone cutting larger limbs, excavating near roots or disturbing a public tree still needs a permit, which the Park Department issues at no charge under § 105.16(D).

Public utilities trimming in the right-of-way must instead hold an annual permit and submit their trimming schedules and locations to the Park Department under § 105.16(C). Section 105.18(B) requires every trimming, pruning or other tree care activity to follow good arboricultural practice as set out in the Arboricultural Specifications Manual, at the property owner's expense, and § 105.18(C) makes it unlawful, as a normal practice, to top a street tree, defined as cutting limbs back to stubs larger than 3 inches in diameter within the crown so severely that it disfigures the tree.

The Board of Park Commissioners or its designee can grant a written exemption for storm-damaged trees or trees tangled in utility wires where normal pruning is impractical. Anyone doing tree work for hire in Hammond, private or municipal, must first register with the Park Department for a contractor permit and pay the fee under § 105.17.