Indianapolis regulates tree removal through its development standards and the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Trees in the public right-of-way (street trees) cannot be removed without a permit from DPW's Urban Forestry division. For private property, tree removal during development is regulated under the site plan review process, which may require tree preservation or replacement plantings. Individual homeowners generally may remove trees on private property without a permit unless the tree is in a protected overlay district.
Indianapolis tree protection ordinance requires a permit to remove trees exceeding a specified trunk diameter, typically 6 to 12 inches measured at 4.5 feet above grade (DBH). Applications require an arborist assessment for larger trees. Street trees and right-of-way trees are managed by Indianapolis public works and cannot be removed by residents. Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees may qualify for expedited permits. Unauthorized removal of protected trees results in significant fines and replacement requirements.
Unauthorized removal: $500 to $10,000 per tree depending on size and species. Replacement planting required at 2:1 or 3:1 ratio.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Revised Code section 391-302(c)(6) bans operating any vehicle, engine, or motor with straight pipes, muffler cutouts, bypasses, or exhaust that ...
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 section 391-302(c)(2) prohibits radios, loudspeakers, sound amplifiers, and musical instruments that make unreasonable noise, and t...
Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis has no blanket overnight street-parking ban for ordinary passenger vehicles, but Code Sec. 621-117 caps parking on any street at six hours witho...
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...
See how Indianapolis's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.