Tree Protection in North Las Vegas, NV

If you live in North Las Vegas or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. North Las Vegas has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Parkway Planting

North Las Vegas reserves parkway and street-tree planting to itself. Section 12.15.040 gives the City the exclusive right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees, plants and shrubs within public streets, trails, alleys, avenues, squares, parkways and public grounds, and lets it take out any tree that's unsafe or harming sewers, power or water lines.

Key details: Adopting ordinance: Ord. No. 3255, effective Dec. 4, 2024. Authority: City: planting/pruning/removal in ROW & parkways. Day-to-day oversight: Municipal Forester, Parks & Recreation Dept.. Removal grounds: Unsafe condition, utility conflict, disease/pest. Private interference: Unlawful without permit under Section 12.08.120.

Because parkway and street trees belong to the City's forestry program, private trimming, removal or damage without City authorization runs into a separate protection rule: Section 12.08.120.A makes it unlawful for any person to remove, destroy, cut, trim, deface or injure a tree, shrub or plant planted within a public place, or to excavate, pave, park or store material near one in a way that could damage its roots or restrict air, sunlight or water, unless the permit grants specific permission.

Heritage & Protected Trees

North Las Vegas designates "heritage trees" under Section 12.15.055 for trees tied to historic places, events or a significant period of the City's growth, listed on a cultural-resources survey, protected in a development approval, or simply of significant size, and once classified, they get extra protection from grading, paving and construction damage.

Key details: Classifying authority: City Council, Director, or Municipal Forester. Safety zone: Dripline +5 ft, or 15 ft from trunk. Construction buffer: No structure within 6 ft of trunk. Fencing standard: 4-ft chain-link/steel-stake barrier required. Pruning standard: ISA and ANSI A300 required.

Grading, construction, material storage, grade changes or wire attachment within a heritage tree's safety zone before the required protective fencing is installed violates Section 12.15.080, and any structure or impervious paving placed inside that zone or within six feet of the trunk is likewise prohibited. Separately, Section 12.15.070 makes it unlawful for anyone unauthorized to injure, deface or destroy a City tree by any means.

The Bottom Line

North Las Vegas's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming North Las Vegas is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that North Las Vegas can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.