Medford, OR Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty
- Trim/prune trees overhanging right-of-way
- Applies to
- All Medford property owners
- Debris removal
- By sunset the same day
- Max fine
- $1,000
- Owner liability
- Must indemnify city for damages
- Right-of-way mulch
- Shredded only, no nuggets/chips
Summary
Medford Code Section 6.730 makes every property owner responsible for trimming, pruning, and spraying trees on private property that overhang a public right-of-way, plus repairing sidewalk, curb, or street damage the roots cause. Owners on non-arterial residential streets must also maintain right-of-way trees outright, and neglecting the duty exposes the owner to liability for resulting injury or damage.
(1) The owners of property abutting streets other than arterial and collector streets in residential zoning districts within the City shall be responsible for the care and maintenance, including trimming, pruning and spraying of trees and shrubs or other landscaping located on the public right-of-way and for repairing damage done to a shared-use path, street, sidewalk or curb by the roots of any tree or shrub located on the public right-of-way... (2) All owners of property within the City shall be responsible for the following: (a) Trimming, pruning and spraying trees on private property that overhang a public right of way. (b) Repairing damage done to a shared-use path, street, sidewalk or curb by the roots of any tree or shrub on private property. (c) Removing trees and shrubs on private property that have been declared a public nuisance. (d) Maintenance of all vegetation within the right-of-way abutting the property.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-32, passed May 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
730 splits tree-trimming duties by location. Owners of property abutting residential streets that are not arterial or collector streets must care for and maintain, including trimming, pruning and spraying, any trees, shrubs or landscaping standing on the adjacent public right-of-way, and must repair any damage tree or shrub roots cause to a street, sidewalk, curb or shared-use path. Separately, every property owner in the city, regardless of street classification, must trim, prune and spray trees on their private lot that overhang a public right-of-way, repair root damage those private trees cause to public paths and streets, remove any private tree or shrub declared a public nuisance, and maintain all vegetation within the right-of-way abutting their land.
No material that could wash off and clog gutters or storm drains may be used in right-of-way landscaping, and bark mulch placed in right-of-way medians or planter strips must be shredded, not nugget or chip form. Anyone doing trimming or maintenance work on public property must clear all debris from the site by sunset the same day. If an owner's neglect of these duties causes injury or property damage, that owner is personally liable to the injured party and must indemnify the city for damages the city is compelled to pay. 735(4) and can be ordered removed by the city.
Violations & Fines
A property owner who ignores the trimming and clearance duties in Section 6.730 faces a fine of up to $1,000 under Section 6.930(3), since that penalty covers Sections 6.710 through 6.745. If a private tree overhanging the right-of-way becomes a sight hazard it's declared a public nuisance under Section 6.735(4) that the city can order removed at the owner's expense, and owners are personally liable for any injury or property damage caused by their failure to maintain right-of-way vegetation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to trim my tree if it hangs over the sidewalk in Medford?
What if I don't maintain the landscaping in front of my house?
Who removes debris after tree trimming in the right-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Medford
Compare Medford to another location·View the Oregon landscaping rules overview
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