Woodbury, MN Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Woodbury splits tree removal rules by whether a parcel is developing or staying vacant. Sec. 27-40(a) requires a City-approved tree preservation plan before removal on any parcel headed for new development, new building construction, a 10-percent-or-greater expansion of an existing commercial, industrial, or institutional building, or any project needing a City land disturbance permit; the plan must inventory every Significant and Specimen tree, and up to 30 percent of the site's Significant tree diameter inches may come down without triggering replacement. On land that is not developing, Sec.

27-41(a) lets an owner remove up to 30 percent of the property's trees, by wooded area, without a permit, as long as the City gets 14 days' written notice first. Clearing more than that 30 percent for forest management requires either a Minnesota DNR regional forester-approved management plan submitted 14 days ahead, or, absent that plan, a City tree removal permit supported by a certified tree inventory; the City must act on a complete permit application within 14 days. Owners of already-platted residential lots get the most latitude: Sec.

27-41(c)(1) lets them remove up to 100 percent of their lot's trees without any replacement, with one exception, a Specimen tree still needs a City permit before removal under subsection (c)(2). Existing developed commercial properties fall under subsection (d): trees removed from an original landscape plan must be replaced under that same plan, and any tree in a designated preservation area must follow the Sec. 27-40(h) replacement schedule regardless of the 30-percent threshold.