Tree Protection in Littleton, CO (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Littleton, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Littleton's Unified Land Use Code protects any tree 36 inches or more in diameter at breast height, plus city-designated trees of unique value and any nationally recognized champion tree, as a historic tree. A healthy historic tree can be removed only with Director approval, and only after the applicant proves the tree blocks otherwise-allowed development and provides mitigation.
Littleton Historic Tree Protection Rule
Some RestrictionsLittleton Unified Land Use Code § 10-1-3.6.C.6 (Protection of Historic Trees); § 10-12-2.1 (Historic Tree definition)
6. Protection of Historic Trees. a. All historic trees shall be protected during construction within a fenced tree protection zone. b. If a historic tree is in healthy condition, it may be removed only if approved by the Director after the applicant demonstrates all of the following standards are met: 1. The historic tree prevents development in a way that limits the building area to less than ...
Protected Tree Species
Littleton's tree code shields healthy native trees during construction with a fenced protected root zone, but removal of exotic, invasive, or prohibited tree species needs no permit at all. Planting several fast-spreading species is banned outright: Chinese and Siberian elms, cotton-bearing cottonwoods, Russian Olive, and box elders, though American elm stays allowed.
Littleton Native vs. Prohibited Tree Species
Some RestrictionsLittleton Unified Land Use Code § 10-1-3.6.C.2.e (removal exemption); § 10-1-3.6.C.6.a (protected root zone); § 10-1-3.6.D.F.4 (prohibited species)
e. Removal of exotic, invasive, or prohibited tree species. ... ... 6. Tree Protection During Construction. Healthy native trees shall be protected according to the following requirements. a. Protected Root Zone. The protected root zone is the larger of: 1. The area under the dripline of the tree; or 2. A radius that extends from the center of the trunk 18 inches per one inch of diameter at bre...
Parkway Planting
Littleton requires street trees to be installed under an approved Site Plan or Master Development Plan, kept clear of utility poles, alleys, driveways, and fire hydrants by set distances, and spaced by mature canopy size. A right-of-way planting permit is required before anyone puts a tree in city easement.
Littleton Street Tree Planting Standards
Some RestrictionsLittleton Unified Land Use Code § 10-1-3.6.D.D.1 (Installation); § 10-1-3.6.D.D.2.c-d (Location and Spacing)
1. Installation. ... The subdivider or developer shall install street trees according to a plan approved as a part of Site Plan or Master Development Plan approval. ... c. ... Street trees shall not be planted within: 1. 20 feet of street lights and utility poles; 2. 10 feet of an alley or vehicular entrance; or 3. 10 feet of existing walls, fences, signs (except in the DNR, DTA, DMS and DMU di...
Looking for Arapahoe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Littleton city rules.
Tree Protection in Arapahoe County →