Longmont, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Longmont, 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
- Permit required for
- planting, pruning, removing city-property trees
- Issuing authority
- Director of Public Works and Natural Resources
- Unauthorized removal after denial
- 3x appraised tree value (§13.24.130.C)
- Criminal penalty
- up to $999 fine and/or 180 days jail
- Dead tree duty
- replace if director requires (§13.24.140)
- Appeal window
- 10 days, written, to city clerk (§13.24.170)
- Applies to
- city property only, not private trees
Summary
Removing, pruning or destroying a tree or shrub on Longmont city property without an approved permit from the director of Public Works and Natural Resources is unlawful under Longmont Municipal Code § 13.24.120. Unauthorized removal after a permit denial costs three times the tree's appraised value under § 13.24.130, and anyone responsible for a tree that dies on city property must replace it if the director requires under § 13.24.140.
It shall be unlawful for any person to plant, prune, remove, or destroy any tree or shrub on city property without having first obtained an approved permit from the director of public works and natural resources or a designee. ... Any person causing removal of any tree on city property, after being denied a permit to do so, shall be responsible for three times the appraised value of said tree. ... Any person who is responsible under this chapter for the care and maintenance of a tree located on city property that dies shall replace the tree if required to do so by the director of public works and natural resources or a designee. ... It is unlawful and a strict liability offense for any person or business to violate any provision of this chapter or to permit or cause a violation of this chapter. Each offense is punishable by a fine of no more than $999.00 or imprisonment up to 180 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Full Breakdown
020(B). 130 requires the responsible party to repair the damage to the director's satisfaction, or, if the tree is damaged beyond repair, to pay the city either the tree's lost monetary value under the Guide for Plant Appraisal published by the Council of Landscape Appraisers, or the cost of replacement. 130(C). 140 imposes an ongoing duty on whoever is responsible for a tree's care and maintenance on city property to replace it if it dies and the director requires replacement. 160. 170.
Violations & Fines
Removing, destroying, or unpermitted pruning of a tree on Longmont city property is a strict-liability offense under § 13.24.190: no intent is required, and each violation is punishable by a fine of up to $999.00, up to 180 days in jail, or both. On top of that criminal fine, a person who removes a city tree after being denied a permit owes the city three times the tree's appraised value under § 13.24.130(C), and unpaid abatement costs become a lien on the responsible party's property under § 13.24.160.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my own property in Longmont?
What happens if I cut down a street tree the city denied me permission to remove?
Who decides whether my permit application to remove a city tree is approved?
Can I appeal if the city bills me for removing or damaging a tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Longmont
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Boulder County handle tree removal & heritage trees.