Bonneville County, ID Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 153.04 requires a right-of-way permit for construction, maintenance or other work performed in the county's right-of-way, and subsection (B) enumerates the specific activities that trigger the requirement. Item (3) is 'tree trimming or removal,' placed alongside utility construction and maintenance, driveway and parking tie-ins to the edge of oil mat or back of curb, modification of drainage swales, curb, gutter, sidewalk or paving work not under county contract, and other right-of-way activity such as temporary storage or stockpiling. All of these activities must meet the criteria in the Department's current standard specifications and drawings for design, location and depth.

To remove a tree from the right-of-way, the applicant submits a permit application to the Department under § 153.05, which can include site plans or other data the Department needs to evaluate the request. The Department then reviews the application under § 153.06, weighing possible hazards and risks the work could pose to the traveling public, and can deny a permit that conflicts with current standards. Before a permit for construction-type right-of-way work issues, the applicant must also file proof of $500,000 public liability insurance under § 153.07 and a cash deposit or bond under § 153.08 guaranteeing the work is performed correctly for one year after completion. Once issued, the Department retains inspection access under § 153.20 and can revoke the permit without advance notice under § 153.12 if the work does not comply with the standard specifications, requiring a new permit before work can resume.