Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Bloomington?
The short answer is: it depends. Whether a permit is required to remove a tree in the City of Bloomington or Monroe County turns on where the tree is located, its size and designation, and the specific zoning or environmental regulations that apply to your property.
Many homeowners assume that trees on their own land are theirs to remove freely. In most cases that assumption is correct — but there are meaningful exceptions. Trees in the public right-of-way, trees in mapped floodplains, and trees that qualify as significant or heritage specimens under local ordinance may all require permits regardless of who owns the underlying land. Removing a regulated tree without proper authorization can result in significant fines and required replanting at your expense.
This guide is a practical overview of how the permit process works in Bloomington and Monroe County. It is not legal advice, and local regulations are subject to change. When in doubt, verify directly with the City of Bloomington's Planning and Transportation Department or Monroe County before any removal work begins.
The City of Bloomington Tree Ordinance: An Overview
The City of Bloomington has a tree ordinance designed to preserve and manage the urban forest as part of the city's broader sustainability commitments. Bloomington has historically maintained a strong interest in its tree canopy, and the ordinance reflects that by placing requirements on removal of trees in specific locations and circumstances.
The ordinance addresses several categories of trees: trees within the public right-of-way between the sidewalk and the street, trees on city-owned property, and in some cases significant trees on private property within certain zoning districts. The city's urban forestry program also manages a list of designated heritage trees — specimens of notable age, size, species significance, or historical association that receive additional protection under the ordinance.
Bloomington's tree preservation requirements also extend to development projects. Any land disturbance permit application for construction or grading within city limits must include a tree preservation plan that identifies significant trees on the site and specifies how they will be protected or, if removal is unavoidable, mitigated through replacement planting.
When a Permit Is Required
Right-of-way trees are among the most common permit situations in Bloomington. Trees growing within the public right-of-way along city streets are managed by the city's urban forestry program. Even if you mow and maintain the grass strip in front of your home, those trees are the city's responsibility — and cannot be removed without city approval. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department or the city's urban forestry office to initiate a removal request for any right-of-way tree.
Heritage and significant trees receive heightened protection under the city ordinance. The City of Bloomington designates certain specimens based on size, age, species rarity, or historical significance. These trees require permit approval for removal regardless of whether they stand on public or private property. The city maintains a registry of designated heritage trees that can be reviewed as part of any pre-removal due diligence.
Floodplain trees are subject to additional oversight under both city and county regulations. Trees located within the 100-year floodplain mapped by FEMA may require review by the Monroe County Drainage Board and in some cases coordination with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management or the Army Corps of Engineers, depending on the scope of disturbance. Monroe County has a significant amount of mapped floodplain along its many creek systems, so this issue comes up regularly for properties near waterways.
Subdivision and development conditions can also restrict private tree removal. If your property is part of a subdivision with tree preservation conditions recorded in the original development approval, those conditions may prohibit removal of specific trees on private lots regardless of the general city ordinance. Review your deed restrictions and the subdivision's recorded development plan if you are in a newer neighborhood on the south or west sides of the city.
How to Apply for a Tree Removal Permit
For right-of-way tree removal or any tree removal requiring city approval, the process begins with the City of Bloomington's Planning and Transportation Department or the Parks and Recreation Department's urban forestry division. You initiate the process by contacting the city directly, describing the tree's location, approximate size, species if known, and the reason for the requested removal.
The city will typically send an urban forestry inspector to evaluate the tree before a decision is made. For trees that pose an imminent safety hazard — a tree that is actively failing or has already damaged a structure — the city has processes to expedite review. For routine removal requests, the review period typically runs several weeks. You will receive a written determination approving or denying the removal, and approved permits will specify any mitigation requirements such as replacement tree planting on or near the same property.
For trees on private property that fall outside city jurisdiction, no formal permit process applies in most situations. The exception is proximity to regulated environmental features — floodplains, regulated drains, or wetlands — where Monroe County oversight may apply.
What About Trees Outside the City Limits?
Outside the City of Bloomington's corporate limits, Monroe County governs land use. Monroe County does not have a general tree removal permit requirement for trees on private residential or agricultural property. However, important exceptions exist.
Trees in FEMA-mapped floodplains within Monroe County require coordination with the Monroe County Drainage Board before significant vegetation removal. This applies across the county's many creek systems and river corridors. The Drainage Board can advise on whether your proposed removal requires formal approval or only notification.
County roads have right-of-way setback areas where vegetation management falls under the Monroe County Highway Department. Trees in those setbacks are not freely removable without departmental coordination. If you are planning to remove a tree near a county road, confirm the applicable right-of-way width and verify what approvals are needed before any work begins. Proceeding without that check is a common and avoidable mistake.
Penalties for Unpermitted Tree Removal in Bloomington
Removing a protected tree in Bloomington without the required permit can be costly. The city's tree ordinance provides for civil penalties for violations, and enforcement has become more consistent as awareness of urban forestry value has grown. Penalties can include fines assessed on a per-tree basis, and the city may require replacement planting at a ratio greater than one-for-one — meaning you could be ordered to plant two or three trees to replace a single improperly removed specimen.
For especially significant trees — large heritage specimens or trees removed in violation of a subdivision's development conditions — the financial exposure can be substantial and may include restoration costs that go beyond simple replanting. Documented unauthorized removal of a right-of-way tree can also complicate future permit applications on the same property.
Beyond city penalties, a contractor who removes a protected tree at a homeowner's direction may face licensing consequences with the State of Indiana. Hiring a professional tree service that understands and proactively researches the local ordinance protects both you and the contractor from unexpected consequences.
How a Professional Tree Service Handles Permits for You
One of the practical advantages of working with an established local tree company is permit coordination. At Bloomington Tree Service Pros, we handle permit research and the application process on behalf of Monroe County property owners as part of our standard service — there is no additional fee for this coordination.
Before scheduling any removal, we review the tree's location relative to right-of-way lines, floodplain maps, and heritage tree registries. If a permit is required, we initiate the application, communicate with the relevant city or county department, and wait for written approval before beginning work. We document the process so you have a clear record showing the removal was properly authorized.
If you are not sure whether your tree requires a permit, that is exactly the kind of question we address during a free estimate visit. Call (812) 432-2013 to schedule an assessment. We will evaluate the tree, identify any applicable permit requirements, and walk you through the full process clearly before any decisions are made.