Noblesville, IN Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Permit triggers in Noblesville: • Street trees and trees on City-owned property — Urban Forester permit required under Ch. 97 and the Arboricultural Specifications Manual (January 2024). A certified arborist hired by an owner-occupant must secure the permit before doing any work; basic routine care (watering, raking) by the owner-occupant is exempt under § 97.12. • Land development — UDC § 159.083 prohibits any tree removal or grade change until the primary plat is approved; § 159.183 limits clearance to what the improvement location permit specifically authorizes; UDC requires a Tree Preservation Plan inventorying all trees with a minimum 6-inch diameter at breast height, with locations, sizes, common names, individual shrubs, dense tree/shrub concentrations, and other natural features to be preserved or removed. • Required landscape areas — trees that are part of required landscape material, contribute to a required screening function, are in open space or conservation easements, are subject to a development condition of approval requiring retention, or are heritage-listed cannot be removed without City review. • Fully private residential trees not in any of the above categories — no City permit required; private homeowner pruning and removal are unrestricted (subject to common-law neighbor protections and IC 25-36.5 treble damages for cutting on another's land). Applications and questions go to the Urban Forester (John Easley, 317-776-6348) and Noblesville Planning & Development.