Smyrna, TN Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Smyrna sets two numeric clearance heights in § 16-102 of the Municipal Code. Limbs projecting over any street or alley must be at least 14 feet above it, and limbs projecting over any sidewalk must be at least eight feet above it. The duty falls on the property owner or occupant, and the wording is that it is unlawful to allow the limbs to project, so the tree owner is responsible even when the tree was planted years ago. The rule applies to limbs on the person's own property that reach out over the public way.

A second section protects sight lines. Section 16-103 makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant to have or maintain any tree, shrub, sign, or other obstruction on the property that prevents drivers on public streets or alleys from getting a clear view of traffic when approaching an intersection. Trimming to the § 16-102 heights does not by itself satisfy § 16-103 if a shrub or low branch still blocks the view.

The code also addresses the debris that trimming creates. Under § 17-108 the Town provides free chipper service to residential citizens within the corporate limits. Tree trimmings, hedge clippings, and similar materials cannot exceed six inches in diameter or ten feet in length, brush piles can be no larger than ten feet by ten feet, and everything set out for the chipper must be within four feet of the edge of the road. The chipper does not pick up vines, loose leaves, or root balls, and leaves must be in biodegradable bags. It is unlawful to put building materials, plastic, metal, wire, cardboard, paper, glass, or other trash in a pile or bag for pickup.

Occupants of property abutting a public right-of-way are also required by § 16-109 to keep it maintained to the edge of the pavement or public way. The Director of Public Works supervises maintenance of streets and other public ways under § 16-113.