Lee's Summit, MO Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 16-204 amends IPMC Section 302, Exterior Property Areas, adding 302.10 Tree Maintenance: dead, dying or diseased trees, or portions of them, must be treated, pruned or removed so they don't threaten adjoining private or public property. The Codes Official enforces this the same way as the rest of the Property Maintenance Code's exterior standards, by issuing a notice and order to the property owner identifying the hazardous tree and the required corrective action.

The enforcement chain runs through the rest of Chapter 16. If the Codes Official needs to inspect a property to confirm a hazardous tree and is refused entry, § 16-103 lets the City obtain a search warrant from Municipal Court on a sworn complaint of probable cause; refusing entry after a warrant is presented is itself an ordinance violation. An owner who receives a correction order can request more time: § 16-105 lets the Codes Official grant an extension of up to 120 additional days if it won't create an imminently dangerous condition, though that extension doesn't extend the separate deadline to appeal. Under § 16-106, anyone directly affected by a notice or order has 10 days to file a written appeal with the Board of Appeals, arguing the code was misapplied, doesn't fully apply, or is satisfied by other means; filing that appeal generally stays enforcement under § 16-107 while it's pending.

If the owner does not comply and no appeal is pending, a conviction is punished under § 16-104's schedule: not less than $50 nor more than $500, or up to 90 days in jail, or both, with a graduated minimum of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second, $300 for a third, and $500 for a fourth or later offense at the same location.