Bowling Green, KY Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Chapter 26 of the Bowling Green Code of Ordinances governs trees in the public right-of-way; Sec. 26-2 extends its authority to private trees only when they pose a hazard, so the removal approval in Sec. 26-8 targets public, street-side trees rather than routine backyard trees. Under Sec. 26-8, no one may remove, cut off at ground level or otherwise disturb a public tree without first getting the City's approval; a person seeking to take out a public tree or perform other major tree work contacts the City to request that approval.

Once approved, the work must meet standards: the entire tree and stump come out, the hole is refilled to ground level with soil, the area is reseeded or replanted, nothing belonging to the City or a third party is damaged, and the removal happens without danger or inconvenience to the public. Responsibility for meeting these standards falls on the owner of the property adjacent to the right-of-way where the tree stood, and the City issues citations to that owner for any violation or resulting damage.

Sec. 26-11 makes the violator liable for the tree's replacement value, calculated from the International Society of Arboriculture's published shade tree valuation guide, on top of civil fines: an uncontested citation carries $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $750 for all others, rising if the citation is contested before the Board. Sec. 26-12 puts enforcement in the hands of a designated Code Official or Code Enforcement Officer.