Norman, OK Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Norman Code § 16-903 makes it unlawful to intentionally alter any street tree standing in a street right-of-way without first obtaining the Forester's permission, with narrow exceptions for branches under four inches removed to keep seven feet of clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets, water sprouts and suckers, dangerous or diseased trees, and removals needed to comply with sight-triangle, curb-cut, stormwater, or utility-easement requirements. Under § 16-904, anyone wanting to alter a street tree, or any branch, root, or part of one, must apply to the Forester, who decides whether removal is warranted to prevent damage to buildings, foundations, utilities, or pavement.

00 total. A violator can offset all or part of that fine by planting replacement trees over one inch DBH on the impacted property: a $200 credit for one tree, $500 for two, $900 for three, $1,400 for four, and $2,000 for five, though no cash refunds are issued if the credit exceeds the fine. Replacement trees must go in within six months, at locations and of species the Forester approves, and any that die within two years must be replaced again. Collected fines go into a dedicated fund used only to replant trees in the right-of-way near the removed ones.

After a storm, freeze, or wind event, owners may clear broken or damaged branches from the right-of-way without a permit, but removing an entire damaged tree still requires the Forester's sign-off, and debris disposal remains the owner's responsibility. Owners who nominate a private tree as historic under § 16-912 extend these same alteration limits to it in perpetuity via a recorded deed restriction. An owner denied permission to remove a tree can appeal to the City Manager within 30 working days of the Forester's decision, and further appeal a denial to the City Council within ten working days, per § 16-913.