Indianapolis protects street trees under Rev. Code Ch. 905. Permit required from DPW Urban Forestry for any work on trees in the public right-of-way. Private yard trees unregulated.
Indianapolis-Marion County Rev. Code Ch. 905 (Urban Forestry) places all trees in the public right-of-way (tree lawns, boulevards) under DPW jurisdiction. No person may plant, prune, remove, or treat a street tree without a permit from DPW Urban Forestry. Private yard trees are not regulated except for nuisance/hazard abatement. Branches overhanging a neighbor's property may be trimmed to the property line under Indiana common law (Toledo v. Walker). Emerald ash borer has killed a large share of public ash trees; the city's EAB treatment program covers qualifying street ashes. Reports go through Mayor's Action Center / Request Indy 311.
Unauthorized work on street tree: $250 to $2,500 plus replacement value (typically $500 to $3,000 per tree). Topping a street tree: criminal mischief charge possible.
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See how Marion County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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