Tree Trimming: Sandy vs South Jordan

Can I cut my neighbor's tree branches that hang into my yard?

Under Utah common law, yes, you may trim branches up to your property line at your own expense — but you cannot enter their property or damage the tree's health.

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my park strip?

Yes. Street trees and park-strip trees require a permit from Sandy Parks & Urban Forestry. Private-yard trees generally do not unless they're designated heritage/significant trees.

Do I need a permit to trim a tree on my own private lot in unincorporated Salt Lake County?

For routine pruning on a flatland residential lot, no. But if your property lies inside the Foothills and Canyons Overlay Zone (Chapter 19.72), vegetation removal outside the approved limits of disturbance requires site-plan approval from the county.

Who is responsible for the tree in the park strip in front of my house?

In Salt Lake City, Code Sec. 2.26.190 places maintenance on the abutting private property owner but a permit from the Department of Public Lands is required before any pruning or removal. Suburban cities like West Valley, West Jordan, and Sandy have similar park-strip rules.

Can I trim a neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?

Utah follows the common-law rule that you may prune branches and roots back to the property line at your own expense, provided you do not enter your neighbor's property and do not damage the health of the tree. If the tree is a public street tree, a city permit is still required.