Loveland, CO Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Routine pruning of healthy trees on private property is not subject to a Loveland permit. The City's Urban Forestry division (Parks & Recreation) maintains approximately 25,000 publicly owned trees on city streets, parks, and right-of-way property, and has the authority and responsibility to ensure that trees planted on public streets and rights-of-way meet city standards. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly plant a tree upon city-owned right-of-way or other city property without the written consent of the City, and the City may require any property owner to trim, remove, or protect any tree, shrub, or other vegetation that projects past the property line onto or over the abutting right-of-way if deemed necessary by the City Engineer or Urban Forester. To report dangerous trees in the right-of-way, residents contact the City's Urban Forester at 970-962-3459. Colorado common law follows the self-help / Massachusetts rule: an adjoining landowner may trim overhanging branches and encroaching roots back to the property line, provided they do not trespass and do not kill the tree (Love v. Klosky, Colo. 2018). Trees in utility easements may be pruned by Loveland Water and Power (the municipal electric utility) for line-clearance under their easement rights without additional permitting.