Boise, ID Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- City Forester, Parks and Recreation
- Public-tree work
- No-fee permit required first
- Pruning standard
- ANSI A300 (topping banned)
- Violation
- Misdemeanor under § 7-2-15
- Applies to
- Both right-of-way and private trees
Summary
Boise requires property owners to prune tree branches overhanging streets and sidewalks for sufficient vertical clearance, whether the tree stands on public right-of-way or on private property.
Branches that overhang sidewalks or streets shall be pruned to provide sufficient vertical clearance over the sidewalk and street so as not to interfere with public travel;
3. Control of pests on trees located on the owner's private real property which may, upon determination by the City Forester, pose a threat to public trees;
4. Removal of all debris (wood, branches and leaves) from public property by sunset of the day on which any tree work is done.
C. Responsibilities For Alley Trees: Prune, remove or otherwise abate public nuisances, as defined in subsection
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-31: Code current through: Ord. 20-26, passed 6-9-2026).
Full Breakdown
Boise City Code Chapter 7-2, the Boise Tree Ordinance, makes adjacent property owners responsible for pruning trees that overhang public rights-of-way. Branches over a sidewalk or street must be cut back to provide clearance so they don't interfere with public travel, and this duty applies to both public right-of-way trees and private trees whose limbs extend over the walk. Work on a public tree needs a no-fee permit from the City Forester before pruning begins; a tree that blocks pedestrian or vehicle passage is a declared public nuisance the City Forester can order abated, with costs billed to the adjacent owner.
Violations & Fines
Violating the tree ordinance or ignoring a City Forester order is a misdemeanor under BCC § 7-2-15, plus possible civil penalties and restitution for damaged public trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim a tree overhanging the sidewalk?
What happens if branches keep blocking the sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Boise
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