Bend, OR Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Maintenance duty
- Adjacent owner (BC 3.60.050(A))
- Sidewalk/local street clearance
- 8 feet minimum
- Arterial/collector clearance
- 14 feet minimum
- Pruning standard
- ANSI A300 (BC 3.60.060(B))
- Topping
- Prohibited (BC 3.60.080(A))
- Violation
- Class A civil infraction
Summary
Owners of property next to a Bend right-of-way must keep the trees between their lot and the nearest travel lane healthy, including watering and pruning, under Bend Code § 3.60.050. Those trees must also be pruned to keep at least 8 feet of clearance over sidewalks and local streets, and 14 feet over arterials and collectors.
A. The owners of adjacent property are responsible for maintaining the health of trees in rights-of-way between their property and the nearest travel lane. Responsibility includes watering, pruning, and protection against damage in conformance with this chapter and City's Standards and Specifications. ... C. ... Except for immature trees of insufficient height to maintain a crown above the required height, trees shall be pruned to maintain at a minimum a clearance height of eight feet over public sidewalks and local streets and 14 feet over arterial and collector streets.
Full Breakdown
050(A) puts ongoing maintenance of right-of-way trees on the adjacent property owner: watering, pruning, and protecting the tree from damage, all done consistent with the chapter and the City's Standards and Specifications. 050(B). 060(C): except for immature trees too short to have grown a crown that high yet, trees must be pruned to maintain a minimum clearance of eight feet over public sidewalks and local streets, and 14 feet over arterial and collector streets, so branches don't strike pedestrians or high vehicles. 060(D) requires protective measures for any excavation, demolition, or construction within 15 feet of a City-property tree.
040 places an overlapping duty directly on the sidewalk itself: property owners must trim their own vegetation so nothing extends into the airspace above a public sidewalk below eight feet. 080(A).
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain the required clearance, or topping a tree in violation of BC 3.60.080(A), is a Class A civil infraction under BC 3.60.090. Untrimmed vegetation over a sidewalk in violation of BC 3.30.040 can also be enforced against the property owner, and any chapter decision can be appealed to the Tree Board within 10 working days of the decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must tree branches be trimmed over a Bend sidewalk?
Who is responsible for trimming right-of-way trees in Bend?
Can I top a tree next to my property in Bend?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bend
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