Eugene, OR Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- EC 7.650, Foliage – Trimming, Pruning or Removal
- Who may trim
- City at any time; owners must follow adopted standards
- Planting permit
- EC 7.635 requires 10 days' notice before planting
- EWEB exception
- Utility may trim near power lines without the standard
- Maximum fine
- $500 per violation under EC 7.990
- Code currency
- Current through Ordinance 20739, June 8, 2026
Summary
Eugene regulates how trees, shrubs and vegetation in the public right-of-way along streets, alleys and sidewalks may be trimmed or pruned. EC 7.650 lets the city trim, prune or remove right-of-way vegetation at any time, and bars property owners from pruning street trees except to standards the city manager adopts under EC 2.019.
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, all trees, shrubs, plants and vegetation growing within or projecting into the right-of-way of a street, avenue, highway, alley, pedestrian right-of-way or pedestrian easement, may be trimmed, pruned or removed at any time by the city, or the city may require the person responsible to abate any existing nuisance under chapter 6 of this code.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, no person shall trim or prune a tree growing within the public right of way in a manner not in compliance with the standards adopted by the city manager. The city manager shall adopt such standards as part of rules promulgated in accordance with section 2.019 of this code. The standards shall be designed to ensure that trees are not trimmed or pruned in a manner that causes damage to the tree or diminishes its health.
(3) The prohibitions set forth in subsection (2) of this section do not apply to EWEB when the trimming or pruning is necessary in order to protect its lines or crews.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
650, part of the Trees and Foliage in Right-of-Way subchapter of Eugene Code chapter 7, applies to any tree, shrub, plant or vegetation growing within or projecting into a street, avenue, highway, alley, pedestrian right-of-way or pedestrian easement. Subsection (1) authorizes the city to trim, prune or remove that vegetation at any time, or to require the responsible person to abate it as a nuisance under EC chapter 6. 019, and those standards must prevent trimming that damages a tree or diminishes its health. Subsection (3) carves out the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), which may trim or prune without following the standard when necessary to protect its power lines or line crews.
640, which limits new street tree species to those on the city manager's adopted street tree list unless the manager authorizes an exception in writing. Together the three sections put Eugene, not the abutting property owner, in charge of what grows over its streets and sidewalks and how it gets cut back.
Violations & Fines
Trimming or pruning a right-of-way tree outside the city manager's adopted standards, or planting street trees without the required ten-day permit, is a violation of Eugene Code chapter 7 under EC 7.990, punishable by a fine of up to $500 per violation. The city itself may also trim, prune or remove right-of-way vegetation at any time under EC 7.650(1), or treat unmaintained growth as a nuisance to be abated under chapter 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim a tree on the parking strip in front of my house in Eugene?
Do I need a permit to plant a street tree in Eugene?
What happens if I trim a street tree the wrong way in Eugene?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
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