Indianapolis protects trees primarily through its development standards and the urban forestry program. Street trees and trees in the public right-of-way are regulated. Private tree removal generally does not require a permit unless part of a development project.
Indianapolis-Marion County regulates trees through multiple code provisions. The Department of Public Works manages street trees and trees in the public right-of-way. Removal of public trees requires city authorization. For development projects, the Indianapolis-Marion County Land Use Regulations include tree preservation and replacement requirements as part of site plan review. The Indy Parks urban forestry division coordinates tree planting and maintenance programs. Private property owners generally may remove trees on their own lots without a permit unless the property is in a conservation district, planned unit development, or the trees are part of required landscaping for an approved development plan.
Unauthorized removal of public trees or failure to meet tree preservation requirements in development can result in fines, required replacement plantings, and stop-work orders on construction projects.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis uses a plainly-audible standard combined with a 115 dB amplifier cap under Rev. Code Ch. 391, Article III rather than zone-based dBA limits.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis does not impose specific leaf blower hours, but Revised Code Sec. 391-302 prohibits operating any blower or power fan in a way that makes unreas...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Revised Code Chapter 391, Article III prohibits unreasonable noise from amplified sources and caps sound-producing instruments at 115 decibels m...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis adopts the Indiana Residential Code under Rev. Code Ch. 536, which requires a minimum 48-inch barrier around residential pools 24 inches deep or...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis does not require a fence permit, but Rev. Code Sec. 744-510 caps front-yard fences at 42 inches and rear/side-yard fences at 6 feet and a separa...
Indianapolis, IN
Marion County Rev. Code Sec. 591-421 and Indiana Code 22-11-18-3.5 require working smoke detectors in every Indianapolis dwelling, with landlords responsible...
See how Indianapolis's tree ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.