Newark, OH Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Section 1028.03 of the Newark Code of Ordinances provides that no person shall plant, set out, move, spray, brace, trim, perform surgery on, cut or otherwise disturb any tree, shrub or other planting in any public place without first obtaining a work permit from the Director of Public Service as provided in Chapter 1022. Chapter 1022 requires a written application and expires a permit that is not started within thirty days or completed within sixty days after issuance.

Section 1028.04 reaches private owners. The Director of Public Service can require the owner of abutting property to remove all or any part of any tree, shrub or other planting which, in the Director's judgment, endangers the public good, and no person shall fail to comply with the order. If the owner does not comply within a reasonable time after the order, the Director causes the work to be done at the owner's expense in addition to the criminal penalty (Section 1028.02(b)).

Section 1028.05 gives the City its own removal authority. The Director can remove or trim any tree, shrub or planting upon or above a public place when removal is beneficial to public health or safety or for public improvements. For an immediate threat, removal happens without prior notice, with a door hanging tag left and a letter mailed to a non-occupant owner. Otherwise, the occupant gets a door hanging tag, the owner gets mail notification within five working days, and the owner has fifteen calendar days to comply before City personnel or a professional service performs the work and bills the owner. Appeals go to the Property Maintenance Review Committee within fifteen calendar days of the mailed notification. Section 1028.001(g) defines public trees as all shade and ornamental trees growing on any street, highway or public place.

For development sites, Section 1292.09 of the Zoning Code requires that trees required by the landscaping chapter be kept healthy and living, and any required tree that dies or is removed for any reason must be replaced to meet the minimum schedule in Section 1292.06.