Oklahoma City, OK Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Municipal Code § 53-21
- Who must trim
- Owner of the abutting lot
- Notice period
- 5 to 10 days to comply
- Non-compliance
- Nuisance; each day = separate offense
- Enforcement remedy
- City abates cost, taxes property
Summary
Oklahoma City property owners must trim trees and shrubs that overhang or obstruct any adjacent street, sidewalk, or streetlight.
The owner of every lot or parcel of land upon which any trees, shrubs, or plants are growing adjacent to any street, sidewalk, parking area or parkway shall trim the same or cause the same to be trimmed, whenever it grows in any lot or parcel of land lying between his property line and the pavement or traveled roadway, so that the vegetation shall not obstruct the passage of light from any light located in any street, alley, or public highway, to the adjacent street and sidewalk, and so that the vegetation shall not obstruct the free and convenient travel over and along the sidewalk and streets, and the owner shall keep removed from the vegetation all dead, decayed or broken branches that overhang any street, sidewalk, parking area or parkway, and remove any dead trees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Municipal Code § 53-21, owners of land where trees, shrubs, or plants grow between the property line and the street pavement must trim that vegetation so it doesn't block streetlight illumination onto the street or sidewalk, and doesn't obstruct free travel over the sidewalk or street. Owners must also remove dead, decayed, or broken branches that overhang a street, sidewalk, parking area, or parkway, and remove any dead trees outright. Any commercial tree-service crew doing this work in the City must be led by a licensed foreman under § 53-36, and pruning cuts must be made flush per the Code of Forestry standards in § 53-68.
Violations & Fines
Untrimmed vegetation blocking a street, sidewalk, or streetlight is declared a nuisance. After written notice giving 5-10 days to fix it, each day of continued failure is a separate offense; the City can abate the nuisance itself and assess the cost as a special tax against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for trimming a tree that overhangs an OKC sidewalk?
What happens if I ignore a City notice to trim my tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle tree trimming.