Longmont, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Street clearance
- 15 feet minimum
- Sidewalk clearance
- 8 feet minimum
- Hydrant buffer
- no growth within 3 feet
- Who pays
- owner billed if city trims
Summary
Property owners in Longmont must trim or remove trees that block sight lines or fail to clear 15 feet over streets and 8 feet over sidewalks.
It shall be the obligation of the owner of any property to remove, trim, or otherwise treat trees and plants which:
A.Project into or encroach upon any public right-of-way in such a manner as to interfere with, obstruct, or endanger the safe public use of the right-of-way for pedestrian or vehicular traffic.B.Fail to provide clearance over streets and other rights-of-way of at least 15 feet and over sidewalks of at least eight feet.C.Block the visibility of a streetlight or traffic control device, as defined in the manual on uniform traffic control devices, such as a traffic regulatory sign or street identification sign.D.Create a sight distance triangle obstruction. See forestry services standards and specifications for diagrams and additional information.E.Grow within three feet of a fire hydrant. The city is authorized to prune any tree or shrub to create a clearance need listed above and to assess the cost of such trimming against the owner of the encroaching tree or plant.
(Code 2009, § 13.24.030; Ord. No. O-2013-40, § 4, 8-27-2013; Ord. No. O-2024-55, § 2, 8-27-2024)
Full Breakdown
Longmont's clearance ordinance puts the duty on the property owner: trim or remove any tree or plant that encroaches on a right-of-way, blocks visibility of a streetlight or traffic sign, sits inside a sight-distance triangle, or grows within three feet of a fire hydrant. Minimum overhead clearance is 15 feet above streets and other rights-of-way and 8 feet above sidewalks. If the owner doesn't act, the city can prune the tree itself and bill the owner for the cost.
Violations & Fines
The city may perform the trimming and assess the cost against the owner; unresolved clearance problems can also trigger the chapter's general penalty of up to a $999 fine and 180 days imprisonment under § 13.24.190.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for trimming a tree that overhangs the sidewalk?
What triggers a clearance violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Longmont
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Boulder County handle tree trimming.