Middletown, OH Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

01 places the trimming duty on the owner of any lot with a tree, plant or shrub that stands, in whole or part, upon or overhanging a public street, sidewalk, lateral strip or other right-of-way, including alleys. The owner must trim to maintain a clear height of 12 feet between the lowest branches and street or alley level, and 9 feet between the lowest branches and the sidewalk, lateral strip or other public right-of-way. The same section requires owners to trim or remove any dead, decayed or broken tree, plant or shrub that could fall into the street, sidewalk or right-of-way, and to cut down vegetation blocking a clear view of traffic at an intersection or creating a nuisance that endangers people, vehicles or pedestrians.

01 authorizes the City to trim or remove the vegetation itself and assess the cost against the owner's lot. 02 requires the City to give written notice of the violation, posted conspicuously on the premises and mailed to the owner's address from the County Auditor's tax list, with seven days to correct it after service. 261, collected the same way as other taxes; removal costs can also be pursued as a money judgment against the owner or, if different, the person in control of the land.

04 bans topping, defined as cutting limbs back to stubs over three inches in diameter within the tree's crown so as to remove its normal canopy, on any street tree or vegetation on public property, though the Public Works & Utilities Department can exempt severely damaged trees, trees under utility wires, or cases where topping protects public safety or tree health.