Columbus, IN Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Who can plant
- Owner, occupant or person in control of adjacent right-of-way property
- Cost and liability
- Planter's own expense and liability
- Standard
- Guidelines and best management practices in the tree work manual
- Tree types covered
- Street and median trees abutting the property
- Contractor insurance
- Required under Section 12.20.060, naming the City of Columbus
- Enacted by
- Common Council, Ordinance 4-2022
Summary
In the City of Columbus, Indiana, a person who owns, occupies or controls property beside a street right-of-way can plant street and median trees, but only at their own expense and liability and only in line with the city's tree work manual. The Common Council set this in Chapter 12.20, adopted as Ordinance 4-2022.
5. The city may undertake or coordinate the planting of public trees for the betterment of the city to the extent possible under the prevailing economic situation. ... B. Adjacent property owners’ responsibility. Any person owning, occupying, or in control of an adjacent street right-of-way property may, at the person's own expense and liability, plant street and median trees or provide tree care for street and median trees abutting the property owned, occupied, or controlled by the person. 1. Adjacent property owners are permitted to plant adjacent street and median trees in accordance with guidelines and best management practices contained in the tree work manual.
Full Breakdown
Section 12.20.020 of the Columbus Municipal Code answers who may plant in the strip between the sidewalk and the street. Subsection B gives that job to any person owning, occupying or in control of the adjacent street right-of-way property. The planting is at the person's own expense and liability, and it is limited to street and median trees abutting the property that person owns, occupies or controls. Subsection B.1 ties the work to the guidelines and best management practices contained in the tree work manual.
The tree work manual is defined in Section 12.20.010 as the official arboricultural specifications manual adopted by the city. It carries the planting recommendations for size, spacing and tree species, both desirable and undesirable. The ordinance text itself does not print spacing distances or a species list, so those numbers live in the manual. Section 12.20.050(B) says the city will provide the necessary standards to all contractors and property owners making improvements in the right-of-way or doing tree care. The City Arborist reviews the manual periodically and sends recommended changes to the Street Tree Committee, and the Board of Public Works and Safety approves them under 12.20.050(C).
The city plants too. Section 12.20.020(A)(5) lets the city undertake or coordinate the planting of public trees for the betterment of the city, to the extent possible under the prevailing economic situation. Section 12.20.040 gives the City Arborist the job of reviewing public tree species, placement and installation specifications for construction drawings and subdivision drawings, with follow-up inspections for the Engineering Department and the Planning Department.
A property owner who hires a tree care business to work in the right-of-way is told to notify the city of the intended work under 12.20.020(B)(5). That contractor has to carry the insurance described in Section 12.20.060, which must name the City of Columbus as an insured party and give the city at least ten days notice before cancellation. The Street Tree Committee of seven members, created in 12.20.030, maintains the list of recommended tree species for planting.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 12.20 prints no fine schedule for planting violations. The enforcement tool is in 12.20.020(B)(5)(a): if tree care is not in accordance with the tree work manual guidelines and best management practices, the city can with cause order adjustments to the work, at the owner's expense. Section 12.20.050(F) bars any person from hindering or interfering with the city or its agents carrying out the chapter, and 12.20.070 prohibits harming public trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the right-of-way strip in front of my house in Columbus, Indiana?
Where do I find the species and spacing rules?
Do I have to tell the city before planting?
What happens if my planting does not follow the manual?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbus
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