Chopping Down a Cactus Could Land You in Jail: Weird Property Laws in Indiana

Published On:
Chopping Down a Cactus Could Land You in Jail: Weird Property Laws in Indiana

No, chopping down a cactus will not land you in jail under Indiana property laws; that regulation applies to Arizona, where harming or removing saguaro cacti without a permit is a felony punishable by fines, restitution, or up to 25 years in prison.​

Indiana’s Weird Property Law

Indiana prohibits “spite fences”—structures over 6 feet high erected or maintained maliciously to annoy neighbors—which qualify as a nuisance. Affected neighbors can sue for damages, fence removal, or other remedies, stemming from a law updated in recent years but rooted in 19th-century precedents.​

Cacti in Indiana

Indiana hosts native prickly pear cacti (Opuntia humifusa) in sandy dunes and open areas, but no laws specifically ban chopping them down or impose jail time. Certain invasive plants are restricted from sale or transport without permits, though cacti are not listed among protected or noxious species.

SOURCES

[1](https://www.onelegal.com/blog/funny-us-laws-that-might-surprise-you/)
[2](https://joseknowstrees.com/saguaro-cactus-removal/)
[3](https://www.grunge.com/1728907/bizarre-thing-illegal-to-do-property-indiana/)
[4](https://www.superlawyers.com/resources/real-estate/indiana/can-i-fence-off-my-neighbor/)
[5](https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-32/article-26/chapter-10/section-32-26-10-1/)

Leave a Comment