Centennial, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Centennial, CO, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Protected root zone
- Dripline or 18 in./inch DBH
- Barricade required
- Posted "Off Limits" during construction
- Prohibited acts
- Cutting, filling, storage, paving
- Applies to
- Trees credited toward landscaping
- Governing law
- LDC § 12-8-603.C
Summary
Centennial prohibits cutting, filling, or storing materials within the protected root zone of trees credited toward landscaping requirements during construction, though the LDC stops short of a general tree-removal permit for private property.
The protected root zone of all protected trees shall be barricaded during construction to prevent damage to the trees and their roots by construction equipment or soil compaction. The barricades shall be posted "Off Limits." No cutting or filling, nor storage of building materials or debris, nor disposal of wastes, shall take place within protected root zone of any protected tree. No impervious paving shall be placed within the protected root zone of any protected tree.
Full Breakdown
Centennial Municipal Code § 12-8-603.C protects trees that count toward a development's landscaping requirements: their protected root zone (the tree's dripline, or 18 inches of radius per inch of trunk diameter, whichever is larger) must be barricaded and posted "Off Limits" during construction. No cutting, filling, storage of materials or debris, waste disposal, or impervious paving may occur inside that zone. The LDC does not create a standalone permit for removing trees on established single-family lots outside a development or redevelopment project.
Violations & Fines
Cutting, filling, or paving inside a protected tree's root zone during development voids the tree's landscaping credit and can trigger stop-work action under the LDC's construction standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Centennial require a permit to remove a tree from a private lot?
How is a protected root zone measured in Centennial?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Centennial
Compare Centennial to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Arapahoe County handle tree removal & heritage trees.