DC strongly protects its urban forest under the Urban Forest Preservation Act and Tree Canopy Protection Act. A permit from DDOT's Urban Forestry Division is required to prune or remove any street tree. Heritage Trees (100+ inch circumference) cannot be removed.
DC's Urban Forest Preservation Act and Tree Canopy Protection Act provide strong tree protections administered by DDOT's Urban Forestry Division (UFD). A permit is required to prune or remove any street tree — the public trees planted between the sidewalk and curb. Trees with a circumference of 44 to 100 inches require a removal permit with the UFD. Trees over 100 inches in circumference are classified as Heritage Trees and cannot be removed under any circumstances. Tree space beautification is regulated under 24 DCMR 109 — adjacent property owners must keep tree spaces clean, and wickets, hoop fencing, sharp-pointed fencing, and raised borders are prohibited around tree spaces. Property owners who damage or remove protected trees face significant fines and replacement obligations.
Unauthorized removal of a protected tree carries substantial fines based on tree size and species. Heritage Tree removal may result in fines of $10,000 or more plus replacement costs.
District of Columbia, DC
Amplified music in DC is regulated under DCMR Title 20 Chapter 27 and DC Code section 22-1321 (disorderly conduct). Residential noise limits are 60 dBA dayti...
District of Columbia, DC
The District of Columbia enforces one of the nation's strictest leaf blower laws. Under the Leaf Blower Regulation Amendment Act of 2018 (DC Law 22-169), the...
District of Columbia, DC
DC has no citywide overnight parking ban, but Residential Parking Permit (RPP) zones limit non-residents to 2 hours on weekdays 7 AM-8:30 PM. Out-of-state ve...
District of Columbia, DC
DC prohibits abandoned vehicles on public streets after 72 hours of continuous parking under DC Code section 50-2421.02 and DCMR 18-2405. Vehicles with expir...
District of Columbia, DC
All residential pools and spas in DC must be enclosed by a barrier meeting the 2017 DC Construction Codes (DCMR 12-A Appendix G, based on IRC Appendix G). Mi...
District of Columbia, DC
Retaining walls in DC require a DOB building permit when over 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of the footing or when supporting a surcharge (driveway, s...
See how District of Columbia's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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