Smyrna, GA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Two parts of the Smyrna Code govern pruning. Section 106-40.1(a) gives the city the right to plant, maintain, prune and remove trees, shrubs and plants within the rights-of-way of all city streets, roads, highways and parks, around city facilities and on other city grounds, as necessary or desirable for public safety, tree health and canopy cover. Section 106-40.1(c) lets the city prune or remove any city tree that is in an unsafe condition, is injurious to sewers, water lines, electric power lines, gas lines or other public improvements, or is infested with an injurious fungus, insect or pest.

Section 106-40.1(b) protects the crown, trunk and roots of every tree on city property and makes it unlawful to engage in any activity on private property that directly or indirectly harms a city tree. The person responsible must undertake active tree protection measures and can owe the penalty in section 106-49, the cost of repairing the damage, the cost of replacing the tree, or the cost of restoring the site.

For private trees, the definition of tree removal in section 106-29 treats pruning judged excessive by the community development director, or not in accordance with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Best Management Practices and Technical Standards, as an act of removal. Pruning of roots within the structural root plate and applying herbicides or defoliants without a permit are on the same list. Trees kept or planted under a tree replacement plan must be maintained properly for two years from the certificate of occupancy, or one year if an irrigation system covers all planted trees, under section 106-51(a).

Near intersections, zoning section 513 bars any fence, wall, structure, shrubbery or other obstruction to vision between three feet and 15 feet within 20 feet of the intersection of right-of-way lines, with tree trunks excepted.