Muncie, IN Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Spacing
- small 15 ft, medium 25 ft, large 35 ft apart
- Planting strip minimum
- 4 ft small, 6 ft medium, 8 ft large
- Corner clearance
- 50 feet from a street corner
- Hydrant clearance
- 15 feet from any fire hydrant
- Utility clearance
- 10 ft overhead, 5 ft underground
- Standards set by
- Urban Forestry Committee
Summary
The City of Muncie sets fixed spacing and planting-strip widths for any tree planted on city property or in the public right-of-way under Muncie City Code § 97.07. Small, medium and large species each need minimum separation and strip width, and planting requires the Urban Forester's approval first.
(B)Planting requirements: The orderly planting of trees in the city is encouraged. Any tree planted on city property or within the public right-of-way shall be planted in accordance with the tree planting standards adopted by the urban forestry committee. ... (C)Spacing: The spacing of city or street trees shall be in accordance with the three species size classes listed in this chapter (small, medium, and large), and no trees may be planted closer together than the following: small trees, 15 feet; medium trees, 25 feet; and large trees, 35 feet except in special plantings designed or approved by the urban forester or his or her designee. ... (D)Planting strips and planting pits: Where there is a planting strip or pit of at least four feet wide a small tree may be planted. Medium trees shall not be planted in a planting strip or pit of less than six feet wide. Large trees shall not be planted in a planting strip or pit of less than eight feet wide.
Full Breakdown
Muncie City Code § 97.07(A) makes it a violation to plant, prune or remove a city or street tree without first obtaining permission from the Urban Forester or a designee, part of the Muncie Parks and Recreation Department. Section 97.07(B) requires that any tree planted on city property or within the right-of-way follow the planting standards adopted by the Urban Forestry Committee, published on the city's urban forestry website and available for inspection at the parks department. Section 97.07(C) fixes minimum spacing by the code's three size classes: small trees 15 feet apart, medium trees 25 feet apart, and large trees 35 feet apart, though the Urban Forester can adjust spacing case by case for local conditions or species.
Section 97.07(D) sets a matching floor on planting-strip or pit width: at least four feet for a small tree, six feet for a medium tree, and eight feet for a large tree, with a recommendation to plant on private property instead where the strip is three feet or narrower. Section 97.07(E) bars planting within 50 feet of a street corner or 15 feet of a fire hydrant, and § 97.07(F) keeps trees ten feet from overhead utility wires and five feet from underground lines, with Indiana Underground required to be called two working days before digging.
Violations & Fines
Planting a city or street tree without the Urban Forester's permission, or outside the spacing and clearance standards in Muncie City Code § 97.07, violates Chapter 97 and is punishable under § 97.13(C) by a fine of up to $2,500.00 per violation, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. The Urban Forester can also order corrective relocation or removal, and an owner may appeal an adverse decision to the Urban Forestry Committee under § 97.13(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the parkway strip in front of my Muncie house?
How wide does a planting strip need to be for a street tree in Muncie?
How close to a fire hydrant or street corner can a Muncie street tree be planted?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Muncie
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