Decatur, AL Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Decatur's urban forestry article, adopted by Ord. No. 23-4567 on September 18, 2023, handles overhanging and encroaching trees in two steps. Section 2-436 declares a public nuisance any tree, shrub or ground cover on private property that interferes with a public street, sidewalk or alley, restricts the flow of traffic, or cuts off visibility of a street, traffic sign, sidewalk, alley or intersection. Section 2-437 then gives the city three options: remove or trim the tree itself, allow a public utility to do it, or require the property owner to remove or trim it. The clock is 15 days. If the owner or the owner's authorized agent has not acted within 15 days of notice, the failure is a violation, and the forestry program can trim or remove the tree and assess the cost against the property. The forestry program is made up of Parks and Recreation and Community Development employees designated by the mayor.

The rule runs in one direction only. Section 2-424(b) bars owners whose property abuts city right-of-way from maintaining, caring for or pruning street trees inside the right-of-way, so a tree in the parkway strip is under city control even when its branches hang over your driveway. Removal and replacement of such a tree is allowed only under a permit, and only to the extent the permit authorizes. The code defines pruning to exclude topping, tipping, round-over and flush-cutting, and it counts those practices as damage. A business that prunes or trims city trees must hold a valid business license, carry $1,000,000 in liability insurance filed with the city clerk, and work under a qualified arborist (Sec. 2-433). Any action of the forestry program can be appealed to the tree board in writing within 14 days (Sec. 2-427).