Provo, UT Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- Provo City Code 9.20.050 (Consent Required)
- Clearance over street
- 13 feet
- Clearance over sidewalk
- 8 feet
- Standards
- ANSI A300, ANSI Z133.1, ISA BMP
- Permit Issuer
- Provo City Forester / Forestry Division
- Clear Vision Area
- No plant over 36 in. in 25-ft sight triangle (14.34.100)
Summary
Provo City Code 9.20.050 makes it unlawful to plant, remove, spray, trim, prune, or cut any tree or shrub on city parking strips, parks, or other public property without first obtaining the written consent of the City Forester. Provo's Arboricultural Standards require limbs over streets to clear 13 feet and over sidewalks to clear 8 feet, and all work to follow ANSI A300 and Z133.1 standards.
Provo City Ordinance Chapter 9.20.050 Consent Required. reads as follows: It shall be unlawful to fill in any parking strip, plant, remove, move, spray, trim, prune, cut above or below ground, fill in any potential planting strip, disturb or alter any tree or shrub on the city parking strips, parks, or any public property, or to cause such acts to be done by others, without first obtaining the written consent of the City Forester. This section shall not apply to line clearance tree trimming by employees of the Department of Energy following coordination with the City Forester. (a) Planting and maintaining Public trees - Any person receiving written consent shall abide by the arboricultural specifications and standards of practice adopted by Provo City Energy Department and/or the specific conditions or methods listed by the City Forester. These specifications include but are not limited to all ANSI A300 and Z133.1 Standards and all International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices (BMP).
Full Breakdown
20 (Urban Forestry) of the Provo City Code, implemented through the City's Arboricultural Standards and Specifications published by the Forestry Division. 050 (Consent Required) makes it unlawful to fill, plant, remove, move, spray, trim, prune, cut above or below ground, disturb, or alter any tree or shrub on city parking strips, parks, or any public property without first obtaining the City Forester's written consent (line-clearance trimming by the Energy Department, coordinated with the City Forester, is exempted). A homeowner who wishes to prune, spray, cut roots, or remove a street tree must obtain that written consent first, and any private contractor hired to work on a city street tree must follow the same arboricultural practices as city crews.
1 (safety) standards, with an ISA Certified Arborist present for work on any city-owned tree. 100) bars plant material with a mature height over 36 inches within the 25-foot sight triangle at street corners. 070, which require canopy over a public sidewalk to clear at least seven feet.
Violations & Fines
Working on a public-right-of-way tree without the City Forester's written consent violates Chapter 9.20 and is enforceable by the Forestry Division. Anyone causing injury to persons or damage to a tree, shrub, vehicle, or structure while working on city trees must promptly report it to the City Forester and make restitution or repair. Improper street-tree work can also trigger nuisance enforcement under Title 7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I trim the tree in my park strip myself?
How high must branches be over the street and sidewalk?
Can I hire my own arborist for a city street tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Provo
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