Duluth, MN Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Duluth, MN, 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 size
- 20 in. DBH special-species trees
- Approval authorities
- City forester, city engineer, land use supervisor
- Smaller trees
- Replacement required, not banned
- Applies to
- All development/redevelopment sites
- Alternative
- Fee into city tree account allowed
Summary
In the City of Duluth, removing a special-species tree of 20 inches or more in trunk diameter is prohibited on any development site unless the city forester, city engineer or land use supervisor signs off for a specific listed reason under Duluth Legislative Code § 50-25.9 of the Unified Development Chapter. Smaller protected trees still trigger a replacement obligation.
(b) Removal of special tree species 20 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) or greater is prohibited unless any of the following applies: (i) The city forester determines that the tree is dead, dying, diseased or a threat to public health or safety; (ii) The city engineer determines that the tree interferes with the provision of public services or is a hazard to traffic; (iii) The land use supervisor determines that the location of the tree is preventing development or redevelopment that cannot be physically designed to protect the tree;
Full Breakdown
' Once one of those species reaches 20 inches diameter at breast height, removing it is flatly prohibited unless the city forester determines the tree is dead, dying, diseased or a safety threat; the city engineer determines it interferes with public services or is a traffic hazard; or the land use supervisor determines its location is blocking development that cannot be redesigned around it. Special trees between 8 and 20 inches DBH, and any 'tree of interest' (any tree over 10 inches DBH, or a special-species tree over 6 inches), do not face a removal ban but do trigger mandatory replacement under Table 50-25-3, calculated as a percentage of the diameter removed and payable in replacement trees or, with staff approval, into a dedicated city tree account.
Development exempt from the replacement requirement includes minor forest-management thinning under an approved plan, removing trees that obstruct traffic, power lines or utilities, emergency or disaster clean-up removals, hazardous public trees, airport-hazard removals, and Skyline Parkway view-clearing approved by the city forester.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected special tree of 20 inches DBH or larger without one of the three staff determinations is prohibited outright under § 50-25.9.B.2(b); removing a smaller significant tree without providing the required replacement trees or fee-in-lieu is a violation of the Unified Development Chapter's tree preservation and permit-compliance requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a large oak tree on my Duluth development site?
Do I have to replace a tree I am allowed to remove?
Which tree species get this extra protection in Duluth?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Duluth
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