Roanoke, VA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Sec. 33-2 requires a written application describing the proposed work in detail before any non-city person may cut, trim, prune, or remove a tree or shrub in public streets, ways, or grounds. The applicant must pay a fee set by city council and post security of up to $1,000, by certified check or personal bond, deposited with the city clerk to guarantee the work is completed properly. The city manager approves the permit only if the proposed work is necessary or desirable and follows approved arboricultural practices, and the permit can cover more than one location but expires after one year.

Climbing irons or spurs are banned on any live tree while performing permitted work. City staff inspect the work for compliance and, once approved, the city clerk releases the posted security back to the permittee. This permit requirement is specific to trees on city-owned property; the code does not impose a parallel private-property tree removal permit outside the site development landscaping standards in the zoning code's tree canopy provisions (Sec. 2-644), which apply only when a lot undergoes a basic or comprehensive development plan review.