3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Portland City Code Title 11 (Trees) requires a permit to remove any street tree or any private tree 20 inches DBH or larger. Portland Urban Forestry issues permits with review by city arborists. Non-Portland cities and unincorporated Multnomah County require permits per MCC 39 for trees in riparian and Significant Environmental Concern (SEC) overlays. Illegal removal penalties scale with tree size and species.
Portland has designated over 325 Heritage Trees since 1993 under City Code 11.50 (former 20.40). Heritage Trees receive the highest protection - removal requires Portland City Council or Heritage Tree Committee approval. Damage or removal carries civil penalties up to three times the tree's appraised value. Nominations are made by residents and approved by City Council.
Portland City Code 11.50 requires replacement planting or fee-in-lieu when regulated trees are removed. Ratios scale with the removed tree's size: 1 replacement for trees 12-19 inches DBH, 2 replacements for 20-35 inches, and 3+ replacements for larger trees. Fee-in-lieu is paid to the Portland Tree Planting Fund. Replacement trees must meet minimum 1.5 to 2 inch caliper at planting.
1 cities in Multnomah County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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