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Larimer County, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

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

Key Facts

Private residential removal
No county permit required
Fort Collins street/City trees
City Forester permit required
Commercial-tree trigger
15-inch diameter or greater
Permit cost
Free
Code section
Fort Collins Mun. Code § 27-31

Summary

Removing a tree on your own private land in unincorporated Larimer County generally needs no county permit. In Fort Collins, removing any right-of-way or City tree, or a commercial tree 15 inches or larger in diameter, requires a free City Forester permit first.

City-specific rules exist: Fort Collins, and Loveland have their own tree removal & heritage trees rules that differ from Larimer County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Any person desiring to plant, treat, cut, trim, prune, or remove any tree within the public right-of-way of any street or sidewalk, or upon other City-owned property within the City, or to remove any tree planted upon any commercial property with a diameter of fifteen (15) inches or greater, must first obtain a free permit from the office of the City Forester.

View official code

Full Breakdown

The county's Land Use Code does not require a permit to fell trees on private residential lots, though wildfire defensible-space guidance encourages thinning. Fort Collins protects its urban forest under Municipal Code Chapter 27: no one may remove a street tree, a tree on City property, or a commercial-property tree fifteen inches or greater in diameter without a free permit from the City Forester. The Forester inspects and issues the permit if removal protects life, property, or the urban forest. Ordinary private residential trees below those triggers may be removed without a city permit.

Violations & Fines

Removing a protected Fort Collins tree without a permit can bring a code-violation fine plus appraised-value restitution for the destroyed public tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my yard?
In unincorporated Larimer County, no. In Fort Collins, private residential trees below the commercial threshold also need no permit; street and City trees do.
What triggers a Fort Collins removal permit?
A tree in the right-of-way or on City property, or a commercial-property tree fifteen inches or more in diameter.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Larimer County

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsTree TrimmingSome RestrictionsRainwater HarvestingSome RestrictionsWeed OrdinancesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions

All Larimer County rules

Compare Larimer County to another location·View the Colorado landscaping rules overview

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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Cities Across Larimer County

Fort Collins, COLoveland, CO