Tree Protection in Salt Lake City, UT (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Salt Lake City, Utah, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Salt Lake City requires developers to preserve city forester-designated "specimen" trees on private land, fence off their root zones during construction, and replace or pay into the tree fund for any that must be removed.
Salt Lake City Protects Specimen Trees
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake City Code § 21A.48.090
The city forester shall maintain a list of trees or tree types that are deemed to be specimen trees subject to Subsection E, "Standards", of this section. ... Specimen trees, required to be preserved, shall not be cut, removed, pushed over, killed, or otherwise damaged.
Protected Tree Species
Salt Lake City requires new development to preserve 'specimen trees', sound, healthy trees over 10 inches in trunk diameter, and replace or pay into the city's tree fund when the city forester allows removal.
Salt Lake City Specimen Tree Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake City Code § 21A.48.090
Preservation of Specimen Trees: Specimen trees shall be preserved to the maximum extent practicable as determined by the city forester, in consultation with the zoning administrator, unless exempted pursuant to Subsection C, "Exemptions", of this section. a. In determining if preservation is impracticable, the city shall consider the following criteria, including, but not limited to:...
Parkway Planting
Salt Lake City requires at least one street tree per park strip, with more added based on frontage length, and Urban Forestry Division approval before any planting, pruning, or removal.
Salt Lake City Parkway Tree Rules
Some RestrictionsSalt Lake City Code § 21A.48.060(B)
Minimum of 1 street tree planted on center between back of street curb and the sidewalk. Additional street trees shall be provided at the following rate per each frontage length: 1 small tree per 20 feet, or 1 medium tree per 30 feet, or 1 large tree per 40 feet. The largest tree that is appropriate to the park strip size shall be used.
Looking for Salt Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Salt Lake City city rules.
Tree Protection in Salt Lake County →