Beaverton, OR Invasive Plant Rules: Tree-of-Heaven Removal (2026)
Key Facts
- Exempt species
- Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)
- Exempt zone
- SNRAs and Significant Groves only
- Permit needed
- None for qualifying removal
- Also exempt
- Norway maple, Golden Chain, Hawthorn
- Authority
- Development Code § 40.90.10(9)
Summary
Beaverton's Development Code exempts Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) from Tree Plan permit requirements when removed or pruned inside a Significant Natural Resource Area or Significant Grove, along with three other listed nuisance species.
Removal and pruning of the following nuisance tree species in Significant Groves and SNRAs: Norway maple (Acer platanoides), Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima), Golden Chain Tree (Laburnum watereri), and English or Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). [ORD 4584; June 2012]
10. Removal of a tree or nonnative vegetation listed as a Nuisance or Prohibited Plant on the City of Portland's Nuisance Plant List or in Clean Water Services' Design and Construction Standards. [ORD 4822; June 2022]
https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/beaverton-or/doc-viewer.aspx?secid=244#secid-5 177/706 8/12/26, 3:08 PM Document Viewer | Development Code
11. Within SNRAs and Significant Groves, planting of native vegetation listed on the Metro's Native Plant List or in Clean Water Services' Design and Construction Standards when planted with non-mechanized hand held equipment.
12. Removal of any tree associated with a public street and sidewalk improvement project that meet A. or B. and C: [ORD 4659; June 2015] [ORD 4697; December 2016]
A. Improvements within an existing public vehicular right-of-way; or
B. Improvements to a public vehicular right-of-way in order to meet functional classification standards, such as widening or half-street improvements; and
C. The proposed improvements do not exceed the minimum width standards of the Engineering Design Manual.
Full Breakdown
Development Code § 40.90.10(9) lists four nuisance tree species, Norway maple, Tree-of-Heaven, Golden Chain Tree, and English/Common Hawthorn, that property owners and land managers may remove or prune inside a Significant Natural Resource Area or Significant Grove without a Tree Plan permit. Elsewhere in Beaverton, and for other tree species, the standard Tree Plan thresholds in § 40.90.10 and § 40.90.15 still apply. The exemption reflects state and regional invasive-species removal priorities administered locally through the Development Code rather than a Washington County or Metro program.
Violations & Fines
None for qualifying removal within SNRAs/Significant Groves; removing a Significant Individual Tree of any species elsewhere still requires a Tree Plan and can draw monetary penalties under § 60.60.07.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove Tree-of-Heaven in Beaverton?
Is Tree-of-Heaven exempt everywhere in the city?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaverton
Compare Beaverton to another location·View the Oregon invasive plant rules overview
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