Davis County, UT Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Davis County Code §§ 14.20.100-14.20.130
- Trigger
- Overhang impeding traffic or blocking a sign
- Notice given by
- Davis County Public Works Department
- Compliance window
- 20 days from notice
- Non-compliance remedy
- County abates and bills owner
- Default penalty
- Class B misdemeanor, up to $1,000/6 months
Summary
Davis County makes it unlawful for a tree or shrub on private property to overhang a sidewalk, street, or right-of-way so it blocks traffic, a streetlamp, or a road sign. Once County Public Works gives written notice of the encroachment, the abutting property owner has 20 days to trim or remove it.
It is unlawful for any tree or shrub located on private property to overhang any sidewalk, street or other public right-of-way in Davis County in such a way as to impede or interfere with traffic or travel on such public place, or which, in any way, obstructs any street lamp or regulatory sign located along, adjacent to, or in the public right-of-way. ... Any tree or shrub or any part thereof located on private property, but impeding or interfering with traffic or travel on the public right-of-way or obstructing any street lamp or road sign, shall be trimmed or removed by the owner of the abutting premises on which such tree or shrub grows, after having been given notice by the Davis County Public Works Department. ... It shall be the duty of Davis County Public Works Department to notify the adjacent property owner of any encroachment or obstruction by any trees or shrubs. Within twenty (20) days thereafter, the property owner shall comply by trimming or removing the tree or shrub, as directed in the notice given by the Davis County Public Works Department.
Full Breakdown
100 declares it unlawful for any tree or shrub on private property to overhang a sidewalk, street, or other public right-of-way in a way that impedes or interferes with traffic or travel, or that obstructs a street lamp or regulatory sign. 110 puts the duty to fix it on the property owner: when a tree or shrub impedes travel on the right-of-way or blocks a streetlamp or road sign, the owner of the abutting premises must trim or remove it once the Davis County Public Works Department gives notice.
120 requires Public Works to notify the adjacent owner of the specific encroachment or obstruction, and gives the owner 20 days from that notice to comply by trimming or removing the tree or shrub as directed. 130 lets the County abate the condition itself, cutting or removing the tree or shrub to the extent necessary, and then bill the cost of that work back to the property owner. None of these sections set a minimum clearance height in feet; the trigger is documented interference with travel or a sightline, not a fixed number, and Public Works decides case by case what needs to come down.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 14.20 does not set its own fine for ignoring a trimming notice; instead the County's general penalty in Section 1.08.010 applies, making violation of any County ordinance a Class B misdemeanor, up to a $1,000 fine, up to six months in jail, or both, unless another ordinance names a lesser offense. Section 1.08.020 treats each day the tree or shrub is left uncorrected as a separate offense, and Section 14.20.130 lets the County recover its abatement cost from the owner regardless of any criminal case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Davis County make me trim a tree that blocks the sidewalk?
How long do I have to trim the tree after getting a notice?
What happens if I ignore the 20-day notice?
Is there a set clearance height trees must be trimmed to?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Davis County
Compare Davis County to another location·View the Utah landscaping rules overview
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