Tree Protection in Lawton, OK (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Lawton, Oklahoma, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Lawton has no citywide heritage-tree registry, but its Downtown Lawton Overlay District landscaping code protects existing 'significant trees,' those with a 6-inch or greater caliper in good health, by letting developers earn landscape points for keeping them and requiring an equal-value replacement if a credited tree dies during or because of construction.
Lawton Significant Tree Preservation Credit
Light RestrictionsLawton City Code § 18-12-1-1210(C)(8), (G)
8.Significant tree means any existing tree with a caliper of six inches (6″) or greater that is determined to be in good health....G.Existing Tree Credits. In order to encourage the preservation of Lawton's older trees, credits toward required points may be given in the event existing trees are preserved. Tree credits shall be approved by the director of planning.1.Landscape points shall be app...
Protected Tree Species
Lawton's code makes it a criminal offense to willfully cut down, root up, sever or destroy any fruit, shade or ornamental tree, shrub, vine or plant, whether it stands on private land belonging to someone else or grows along a city street, alley or public ground. The ban covers both landscaping vandalism and destruction of municipally planted street trees, naming no specific protected species.
Lawton Bans Willful Destruction of Trees
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 16-3-1-315
A.No person shall willfully, maliciously and without lawful authority cut down, root up, sever, injure or destroy any fruit tree, shade or ornamental tree, cultivated root or plant, grape or strawberry vine, shrub or plant whatever standing on or attached to the land of another, or pick, destroy, carry away therefrom, or in any way interfere therewith, any of the fruit thereof.B.No person shall...