Plano owners must keep branches 8 ft above sidewalks and 14 ft above streets. Private tree trimming needs no permit, but work on street or park trees requires Urban Forester approval.
Under the Plano Zoning Ordinance and Chapter 15 right-of-way provisions, property owners must prune overhanging vegetation so that it provides at least 8 feet of vertical clearance over public sidewalks and 14 feet of clearance over public streets and alleys. Dead, diseased, or hazardous limbs adjacent to public ways must be removed. Work on street trees located in the right-of-way or on public parks property requires coordination with the Plano Urban Forester and cannot be done by the resident without approval. Private trees on residential lots may generally be trimmed by the owner without a permit, but Plano follows the standard Central Texas oak wilt window and strongly discourages pruning oaks between February 1 and June 30 except in emergencies; painted pruning cuts are recommended year-round on oaks. Commercial sites and properties under an approved tree preservation plan must have any significant pruning reviewed by Planning to ensure the canopy still meets code.
Failure to maintain clearance may result in a notice and abatement. The city may trim at the owner expense if the obstruction is a hazard.
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