Auburn, AL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Per the City of Auburn's Tree FAQs and urban-forestry pages, "trees on private property are not regulated by the City of Auburn," so homeowners are generally free to prune their own trees. The key restriction is on public trees: "if the tree is located on City right of way, you must obtain a Street Tree Permit for any removal or pruning." The right-of-way is the strip of land along streets (often including the area between the sidewalk and curb), and trees planted there are managed by the City's Urban Forestry program under the Tree Commission. Auburn is a recognized Tree City USA community and follows International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards for assessing tree condition. Residents who want a street tree pruned can request an inspection through Public Works or the city's Fix-It App; assessments are typically scheduled within about two weeks. Pruning of city street trees is coordinated by city staff rather than left to abutting owners. For private trees, normal good-neighbor and common-law rules apply (e.g., you may generally trim branches overhanging your property up to the property line without harming the tree), but the City does not issue permits or set standards for private pruning. Contact Auburn's Urban Forestry Specialist before touching any tree in the public right-of-way.