Indianapolis Vegetation Standards

The Department of Public Works manages public flora, ensuring planting, maintenance, and removal prioritize safety, access, and root health with open ground spaces. Development applications must include landscape plans featuring drought-tolerant species from the Indianapolis Selected Plant List, excluding those on the Prohibited Plant List. Landscaped areas must be 60% living materials, planted in uncompacted soil, and protected from vehicles, with stone mulch limited to stormwater management areas. Revised Code, Title III, Chapter 701, Trees and Fauna, regulates public trees including the location, by providing duties for adjacent property owners, requiring permits, etc. Revised Code, Title III, Ch. 744, Sec. 744-503 – General Landscaping Standards, encourages the preservation of existing trees and requires the planting of replacement trees in certain scenarios