Owensboro, KY Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Owensboro Municipal Code Sec. 5-160(b) makes it unlawful for any person to cut, carve, poison with a gaseous liquid, herbicide or other toxic substance, transplant, attach signs or boards to, or otherwise damage any tree or shrub located on city property, a street lawn or other public right-of-way. The city itself will only remove a right-of-way tree when it is dead or severely damaged, is damaging infrastructure, must come out for a city construction project, or poses an unacceptable safety risk; an adjoining property owner may remove a tree and stump at their own expense only when it does not qualify for city removal.

Inside the downtown core area, bounded by Fifth Street, the riverfront, Walnut Street and Crittenden Street, no person other than the city, its licensed agent or contractor may plant, prune or remove any tree or shrub on city property or right-of-way, and decorating those trees requires the city manager's prior written approval. A property owner or the horticulturist's permit decisions can be appealed first to the city manager within ten days by written notice to the city clerk, with a hearing held within twenty days, and a further appeal from the city manager's decision to the city board of commissioners within seven days, which must rule within thirty days.