Lehi, UT Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing office
- Urban Forester, Parks Department
- Scope
- Public Trees and right-of-way vegetation only
- Removal requires
- Written Urban Forester permission
- Owner notice
- Required before work begins
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor, up to $1,000/180 days
Summary
Lehi's community forestry code defines invasive species and lets the Urban Forester order removal of any Public Tree or vegetation in the public right-of-way that qualifies, without needing the owner's consent.
"Invasive Species" shall mean a species of tree, vegetation, or pest that is likely to cause economic or environmental harm to either the environment or human health." ... "Following consultation and recommendation by the Urban Forester, City employees may be authorized to maintain, remove, or cause to be removed any Public Tree, vegetation, or part thereof, including roots, which is in an unsafe condition or which by reason of its nature is, or may become injurious to public utilities or other public improvements, is an invasive species or is infected with any injurious fungus, insect, or other pest."
Full Breakdown
K). B: following consultation with the Urban Forester, City employees may maintain, remove, or cause the removal of any Public Tree or vegetation, including roots, that is unsafe, threatens public utilities or improvements, is an invasive species, or is infected with an injurious fungus, insect, or other pest. O). 030 confines the chapter's reach over private trees or vegetation to cases where they are a public nuisance or hazard. Before the City acts, a city employee must first obtain written permission from the Urban Forester or designee, and written notice must go to the affected adjacent property owner before work begins.
The Urban Forester, housed in the Parks Department, also maintains the Unacceptable Public Street Tree List and the Public Street Tree Recommendation lists referenced elsewhere in the chapter, and reviews species selection for new plantings against them.
Violations & Fines
Violating any provision of Chapter 35, including planting a species on the Unacceptable Public Tree List, is a Class C Misdemeanor under Section 35.210, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 180 days imprisonment, or both. Each ten days a prohibited condition continues is a separate offense, and Lehi may also pursue civil penalties and restitution for actual damages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lehi make me remove an invasive plant from my own yard?
Who decides whether a street tree is an invasive species?
Does the City have to notify me before removing an invasive tree next to my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lehi
Compare Lehi to another location·View the Utah invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Utah County handle prohibited species.