Franklin County, OH Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Franklin County, OH, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Overlay
- Big Darby Creek Watershed
- Removal allowed for
- Damaged, diseased, invasive trees
- Zoning certificate needed
- No, for qualifying removal
- Default rule
- Preserve in natural state
Summary
In the Big Darby Creek riparian setback, Franklin County zoning keeps land in its natural state and permits tree removal only for damaged, diseased, or invasive trees.
Removal of Damaged or Diseased Trees, or invasive species. Invasive species and damaged or diseased trees that endanger people or that pose a serious threat to property, may be removed.
Special care should be taken to remove trees sparingly. Damaged or decaying trees serve important ecological functions such as supplying stream habitat and material for organisms that aid in organic decomposition as well as providing habitat for endangered species, such as Indiana bats. Applicants or property owners are encouraged to allow these seemingly-damaged trees to remain in their natural state.
Applicants or property owners are further encouraged to seek assistance from Franklin Soil and Water for advice on maintaining these important ecological functions.
c) Revegetation and/or Reforestation. Riparian setbacks may be revegetated and/or reforested with native, noninvasive plant species. Applicants or property owners are encouraged to seek guidance from Franklin Soil and Water.
Full Breakdown
Franklin County Zoning Resolution § 650.142 governs the Big Darby Creek Watershed Riparian Setback Overlay District, where land must otherwise be preserved in its natural state. Removal of trees is permitted without a zoning certificate only for invasive species and damaged or diseased trees that endanger people or pose a serious threat to property. The resolution urges applicants to remove trees sparingly, since damaged or decaying trees provide stream habitat and support species such as the Indiana bat. This overlay reaches only riparian setbacks in the Big Darby watershed, not general tree removal countywide.
Violations & Fines
Clearing healthy, non-invasive trees from a designated riparian setback without qualifying under the damaged, diseased, or invasive-species exception violates § 650.142 and can trigger a stop-work order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut down a healthy tree in the riparian setback?
Does this apply county-wide?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Franklin County
Compare Franklin County to another location·View the Ohio landscaping rules overview
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