Tree Protection in Loveland, CO (2026)
4 verified tree protection rules for Loveland, Colorado, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Loveland does not require a general tree-removal permit for trees on established single-family residential lots. Permit / written-consent triggers attach when (a) the tree is in the city right-of-way or on city-owned property — written City consent is required and removal without consent is unlawful, or (b) the tree is a Significant Tree under Title 18 UDC § 4557, sits in a required landscape area, buffer yard, or is designated for retention on an approved development plan.
Loveland Tree Removal Permits — UDC Development Trigger + ROW Consent Required
Some RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
Loveland does not maintain a stand-alone heritage-tree registry, but the Title 18 Unified Development Code defines 'Significant Tree' at § 4557 and 'Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)' at § 4561 — the functional equivalent of a heritage / specimen designation for development review. Trees meeting the Significant Tree threshold are protected through retention, replacement, and inventory requirements at site-plan and subdivision review. The Colorado State Forest Service maintains the statewide Colorado Champion Tree registry.
Loveland Heritage Trees — 'Significant Tree' UDC Designation (§ 4557)
Some RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
Loveland's tree-replacement obligation arises through Title 18 (Unified Development Code) landscape standards. Trees in required landscape material, buffer yards, or designated for retention on an approved development plan must be replaced if damaged or removed, using species from the City of Loveland Plant List adopted under the UDC. Right-of-way and city-property tree removals authorized by the Urban Forester typically require replacement under the city's street-tree planting standards.
Loveland Tree Replacement — UDC Landscape Standards + Plant List Caliper Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Ordinances
Loveland's tree-protection framework rests on Title 18 (Unified Development Code) — which defines Significant Tree (§ 4557) and DBH (§ 4561) and sets landscape, buffer, and replacement standards — supplemented by Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry's management of approximately 25,000 publicly owned trees. Loveland has been a Tree City USA continuously since 1989, meeting the Arbor Day Foundation's four standards including a tree board, a tree ordinance, $2+ per capita urban-forestry budget, and an annual Arbor Day observance.
Loveland Tree Ordinances — Title 18 UDC + Urban Forestry + Tree City USA Since 1989
Some RestrictionsLooking for Larimer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Loveland city rules.
Tree Protection in Larimer County →