Tree Protection in Jefferson Parish, LA (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Louisiana.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Jefferson Parish protects mature trees through the Metairie Ridge Tree Preservation District overlay and parish-wide protected-tree standards. Oaks, elms, magnolias, sycamores and any canopy tree with an 8-inch or greater trunk diameter, plus any tree 24 inches or wider, cannot be cut, cleared or damaged by construction without a permit from the parish arborist, and unauthorized removal triggers fines and forced replacement.
Jefferson Parish's Metairie Ridge Tree Rules
Significant RestrictionsJefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 33-3.66.1
The intent and purpose of the Metairie Ridge Tree Preservation District is to create and apply an overlay zone intended to protect the existing tree canopy in the preservation district and facilitate the maintenance and planting of trees in Jefferson Parish. The Metairie Ridge Tree Preservation District shall also facilitate related urban forestry activities in this district, maintain and add a...
Protected Tree Species
Jefferson Parish's tree preservation ordinance protects specific species once they reach a set trunk size, regardless of what zoning district or neighborhood conservation area they sit in. Section 33-6.27.4 designates every oak but water oak, every elm, every magnolia, and any sycamore as a protected significant tree once it reaches eight inches DBH, plus any canopy tree of twenty-four inches DBH or more.
Significant Trees Protected in Jefferson Parish
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish Unified Development Code § 33-6.27.4(b)
(b)Significant trees shall include the following species that have a DBH of eight (8) inches or greater:(1)All oaks, except water oaks.(2)All elms.(3)All magnolias.(4)Sycamore.(5)Any tree that contributes to the canopy and has a DBH of at least twenty-four (24) inches, except Bald cypress trees and prohibited trees listed in subsection (e) below.(6)Replacement trees required in section 33-6.27.10.
Parkway Planting
Jefferson Parish requires a permit from the Department of Parkway before anyone plants, removes, trims, prunes or decorates a tree or other vegetation on public property, including sidewalks, parkways, medians and rights-of-way. Only a parish-licensed tree service operator may trim or remove a public tree, and only a parish-licensed landscaper may plant or maintain other public vegetation, under Sec. 37-19 and Sec. 37-20.
Jefferson Parish Street Tree Planting Permits
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish Code of Ordinances Sec. 37-19(a), (f)(4)
Except as otherwise provided in this article, no person, or contractor, other than a parish-licensed tree service operator or parish-licensed landscaper shall plant, prune, trim, remove or decorate any tree or other vegetation in or on public property without a permit from the department of parkway. Such permitting is not required for plantings that have been approved by the parish under a site...
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