Midwest City, OK Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Street/ROW clearance
- 14 feet
- Sidewalk/trail clearance
- 8 feet
- Governing section
- § 42-49
- Non-compliance
- city trims/removes, bills owner
- Unpaid cost
- becomes county tax lien
Summary
Midwest City requires owners to trim trees and shrubs overhanging streets and rights-of-way to a 14-foot clearance above the street and an 8-foot clearance above sidewalks and trails, or face city-ordered trimming at the owner's expense.
Every owner of any tree or shrub overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall trim the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp, or obstruct the view of any street, intersection or traffic control device or sign, and so that there shall be a clear space of fourteen (14) feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way. Every property owner shall remove from the owner's property all dead, diseased or dangerous trees and shrubs, or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The city shall have the authority to order the trimming or removal of any tree or shrub that interferes with the proper spread of light from a street light, or interferes with visibility or any traffic control device or sign, or does not provide a clear space of fourteen (14) feet above the surface of the street or right-of-way or does not provide a clear space of eight (8) feet above the entire width of the surface of the sidewalk or a trail. In the event of failure of owners to comply with the provisions of this section, the city shall also have the authority to trim or remove any tree or shrub that violates the provisions of this section and charge the cost of trimming or removal to the owner.
(Code 1972, § 35½-21; Ord. No. 2656, § 1, 10-8-96; Ord. No. 3388, § 1, 9-10-19)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 42-49 makes every property owner responsible for trimming trees and shrubs that overhang a street or right-of-way, keeping branches clear of streetlights, traffic signs, and sightlines at intersections. The section sets numeric clearance minimums: 14 feet above streets and rights-of-way, 8 feet above the full width of sidewalks and trails. Owners must also remove dead, diseased, or dangerous trees and broken limbs that endanger the public. If an owner doesn't comply, the city can trim or remove the tree itself and bill the owner for the cost under §§ 42-50 through 42-54, following written notice and a right to a council hearing.
Violations & Fines
Noncompliance lets the city trim or remove the tree itself after written notice and bill the owner; unpaid costs after 30 days go to the county treasurer's tax rolls as a lien.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much clearance must trees have over a Midwest City street?
What happens if I don't trim my tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Midwest City
Compare Midwest City to another location·View the Oklahoma landscaping rules overview
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle tree trimming.