Lincoln, NE Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Lincoln, NE, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permit needed
- Permit required for private street-tree work
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Parks and Recreation
- New tree standard
- Minimum 1-inch trunk diameter
- Debris deadline
- Cleared within 48 hours
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine, 6 months jail
Summary
Any tree planting, trimming, spraying, or removal along Lincoln streets, parkways, or sidewalks is done by the city itself, at the city's discretion: private work requires a written permit from the Parks and Recreation Director.
...the trimming, spraying, removing, and destroying of all trees now existing, the selecting, planting, trimming, spraying, removing, and destroying of all street trees hereafter planted in or upon any street, parkway, sidewalk space, or other public way within the city, shall be done by and at the expense of the city and at its discretion and by no other person; provided, the Director may, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, issue a permit to any applicant therefor, allowing such person to plant, remove, or destroy any such tree.
Full Breakdown
Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 puts street trees under city control by default: planting, trimming, spraying, and removal of trees in streets, parkways, and sidewalk spaces is done by the city at its own expense, and no one else can do that work without a written permit from the Director of Parks and Recreation. Permit applicants must name who is doing the work, get written consent from the abutting property owner, and agree to hold the city harmless. Permit conditions require newly planted trees to be at least one inch in diameter, stumps pulled when a tree comes out, and debris cleared within 48 hours.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 12.20 falls under Lincoln's general Title 12 penalty: a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail, a $500 fine, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense (LMC § 12.08.340).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the parkway strip in front of my house in Lincoln?
What happens if I remove a street tree without a permit in Lincoln?
Who owns a street tree once it's planted in Lincoln?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lincoln
Compare Lincoln to another location·View the Nebraska landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.