Hinds County, MS Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Tree regulation in Hinds County is largely municipal. The City of Jackson has a tree preservation provision in its zoning ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 118) requiring permits for removal of protected trees in certain districts, with particular attention to live oaks, magnolias, cypress, and other heritage species commonly found in Belhaven, Eastover, and along State Street. Property owners are responsible for trimming trees overhanging sidewalks and streets, maintaining minimum clearances of 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets under Jackson Code §90-26. Failure to maintain clearance can result in the city trimming at owner expense. The Mississippi Forestry Commission provides technical assistance and urban forestry grants but does not enforce local tree ordinances. Utility companies, particularly Entergy and Atmos Energy, have right-of-way trimming authority under MS Code Ann. §77-3-33 and can trim without owner consent near distribution lines. Hurricane and tornado damage, including the devastating 1980 Jackson tornado and more recent 2011 and 2023 tornado events, makes storm-damaged tree removal a regular concern; emergency removal is exempt from permit requirements. Pearl River flood-adjacent areas around LeFleur's Bluff and Mayes Lake see regular tree stress from flooding.