Fishers, IN Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

The Fishers weed ordinance is the Weeds and Rank Vegetation subchapter of Chapter 95 (Ord. 120511A, passed 1-3-12, as amended). Section 95.20 defines 'weeds or other rank vegetation' to include grass over eight inches tall and 'all plants set forth in IC 15-16-7-2 or plants that are poisonous or detrimental to human health or have been determined to be noxious by the Indiana legislature or by rule of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources or Indiana Department of Agriculture.' Excluded are wetlands, woods, nature preserves, undeveloped areas, storm water BMP areas, agricultural crops such as hay and pasture, and maintained golf-course playing areas. Section 95.21 imposes the cutting duty on every owner. Under § 95.22, the Department of Permitting and Inspection serves a written notice of violation requiring cutting within seven days, sent by first-class mail (or equivalent under IC 1-1-7-1) to the address on file with the Hamilton County Auditor; a continuous-abatement notice may be posted so that later violations the same year can be abated without fresh notice. A notice may be appealed to the City Court within three days. Under § 95.23, if the owner does not mow within seven days and files no appeal, the city may enter, photograph, and mow, then invoice the owner for costs, administrative fees, and a fine. The UDO landscape standard (§ 6.7.3.J) separately requires landscaped areas to be kept free of weeds.