Tree Protection in Norfolk, VA (2026)
2 verified tree protection rules for Norfolk, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Virginia designates no statewide heritage trees, and Norfolk keeps no formal private heritage-tree registry. Notable trees are protected mainly as city trees under Chapter 45 and through waterfront buffer rules.
Norfolk Heritage & Protected Tree Rules
Some RestrictionsNorfolk City Code Ch. 45 (Trees and Other Vegetation), bureau of parks and forestry
The bureau of parks and forestry shall have the management, control and care of the area between the street curbing and the walkway, and of all trees and shrubbery on the streets, avenues and public grounds of the city, shall direct and regulate planting, transplanting, pruning, removal, care and protection of all shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery to be planted and cultivated, determinin...
Parkway Planting
Norfolk treats the parkway strip between curb and sidewalk as city property, so residents cannot plant or freely prune the trees growing there. Section 45-13(a) lets a resident apply for a permit to prune city parkway trees only after completing an ISA-certified arborist workshop, using nonpowered hand tools from the ground. Section 45-16(c) carves out one exception: no permit is needed to water any right-of-way tree or trim crape myrtle root suckers under an inch thick.
Norfolk Parkway Tree Pruning Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsNorfolk Code of Ordinances §§ 45-13(a), 45-16(c)
Residents of Norfolk may apply for a permit to prune and trim city trees located between the curbs and sidewalks. A request for a permit can take place only after a resident has successfully completed a workshop devoted to basic tree trimming techniques led by an I.S.A. certified arborist for the city, and the individual resident receives a certificate of completion in such training. All approp...