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

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Tree removal permit rules in Oregon, OH, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.

Key Facts

Governing section: Codified Ordinances § 158.09
Permit issuer: Street Commissioner
Appeal body: Oregon Tree Commission (7 members)
Appeal deadline: 14 days of the order (§ 158.16)
Scope: Public areas and tree lawns only
Penalty: Cost of replacement tree, billed on property taxes

Summary

In the City of Oregon, Ohio, no one may plant, trim, or remove a tree on any public area, including tree lawns, without first filing a written request with the Street Commissioner. Codified Ordinances § 158.09 governs the permit, and a denial can be appealed to the Tree Commission.

158.09 PLANTING, TRIMMING OR REMOVING TREES. ... No person shall on any public area, including tree lawns, plant, trim or remove a tree without filing a written request form with the Street Commissioner. Should the Commissioner deny the issuance of a permit, an appeal may be filed with the Tree Commission who may affirm or reverse the decision of the Commissioner. ... 158.99 PENALTY. Whoever violates any provision of this chapter shall be assessed for the cost of a tree recommended by the Tree Commission and the cost shall be recovered on the following year's property taxes. Each tree affected by noncompliance with this chapter shall constitute a separate violation.

View official code

Full Breakdown

09 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Oregon, Ohio, requires anyone who wants to plant, trim, or remove a tree on a public area, including a tree lawn (the strip between the curb and sidewalk or right-of-way), to first file a written request form with the Street Commissioner. 05's definitions, not to trees on private property. 16's fourteen-day appeal window. 14 bars "topping" a street or park tree (severe cutting back to stubs larger than three inches) except where the Street Commissioner determines pruning practices are impractical. Chapter 158 was adopted by Ordinance 115-1992, passed September 14, 1992.

Violations & Fines

Codified Ordinances § 158.99 sets the penalty for the whole tree chapter: whoever violates any provision is assessed for the cost of a replacement tree recommended by the Tree Commission, and that cost is recovered on the following year's property taxes. Each tree affected by noncompliance counts as a separate violation, so removing or trimming multiple public trees without a permit multiplies the assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my own yard in Oregon, Ohio?

Section 158.09 only covers trees on public areas, including tree lawns between the curb and sidewalk; its written-request requirement runs to the Street Commissioner for public property. The chapter's definitions at § 158.05 tie its permit rules to public ways, parks and City-controlled land, not private yards.

What if the Street Commissioner denies my tree removal request?

You can appeal. Section 158.09 lets an applicant take a denial to the Oregon Tree Commission, and § 158.16 gives fourteen days from receiving the Commissioner's order to file a written appeal; the Commission then affirms, reverses or modifies the decision by majority vote.

What does it cost if I remove a street tree without a permit in Oregon, Ohio?

Section 158.99 assesses the violator for the cost of a replacement tree recommended by the Tree Commission, added to the following year's property tax bill, and treats each affected tree as a separate violation, so cutting several unpermitted trees multiplies the assessment.

Do I need a license to remove trees for hire in Oregon, Ohio?

Yes, if the work is within the City right-of-way or on public lands. Section 158.07 requires anyone pruning, treating or removing trees there for hire to hold an arborist's license, costing $25 a year, filed with the Department of Building and Zoning Inspection; the exception is Toledo Edison and other public utility work.

Sources & Official References

[1]Codified Ordinances of the City of Oregon, Ohio (American Legal)

Other rules in Oregon

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All Oregon rules

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