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

Section 158.09 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. This rule applies to trees on public ways, parks and other city-owned or city-controlled land under § 158.05's definitions, not to trees on private property. If the Street Commissioner denies the permit, the applicant can appeal to the Oregon Tree Commission, a seven-member body created by § 158.01 that includes the Street Commissioner or a designee, a City official, an Oregon Growth Corporation representative and four resident appointees; the Commission may affirm or reverse the Commissioner's decision by majority vote under § 158.16's fourteen-day appeal window.

Related sections in the same chapter reinforce the removal permit: § 158.07 requires anyone who prunes, treats or removes trees within the City right of way for hire to hold a $25 annual arborist's license filed with the Department of Building and Zoning Inspection, and § 158.14 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.