Tigard, OR Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Tree removal in the City of Tigard is controlled by Title 8, Urban Forestry, and the permit depends on the kind of tree. Section 8.08.050 requires prior written approval to remove a street tree, which § 8.02.050 defines as a tree of at least 1½-inch caliper or DBH within a public right-of-way or public access easement under City of Tigard jurisdiction. Parallel sections impose the same approval requirement for median trees (§ 8.08.080), native trees of six-inch DBH or more in sensitive lands (§ 8.10.040), trees required with development (§ 8.12.040), trees planted with the Urban Forestry Fund (§ 8.14.040) and heritage tree designations (§ 8.16.070). When a Title 18 land use permit already approves the planting, removal or replacement, § 8.02.020.B says no Title 8 tree permit is required. The code defines tree removal as cutting or removing 50% or more of a crown, trunk or root system, or any action that causes the loss of aesthetic or physiological viability or causes the tree to fall or be in immediate danger of falling.

Two routes lead to approval. Under § 8.04.020 the applicant files on the city manager's form, addresses the approval criteria in the Urban Forestry Manual, and pays the required fee. The city manager or designee approves, approves with conditions or denies in writing, and the decision is final and valid for up to one year unless the permit sets a longer period. Under § 8.04.030 a designated city board or committee decides complex cases and weighs solar access, views, quality of tree species, condition and location, contribution to the environment, contribution to the community, and aesthetics.

Emergencies are the one exception to permit-first. Under § 8.04.040 a person can remove a tree that presents a clear and present danger to people, structures, infrastructure or utilities without a permit, but must submit a retroactive city manager tree permit application within 14 calendar days. If the city manager or designee finds there was no emergency, enforcement proceeds under Chapter 1.16. A street tree that dies within three years after planting is removed and replaced under the original permit approval, and § 8.08.040.B exempts that replacement from the removal approval.