St. George, UT Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Required clearance
- 8 feet above street/sidewalk
- Applies to
- Trees overhanging street or right-of-way
- Also required
- Remove dead or hazardous limbs
- Non-compliance
- City may enter and prune after notice
Summary
St. George requires owners to prune trees overhanging a street or sidewalk to keep 8 feet of clear space and to remove branches blocking street lamps or intersection sightlines.
Every owner of a tree located on private property but which overhangs any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not severely obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet (8') above the surface of the street or sidewalk. Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased, dangerous, broken or decayed limbs that constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The city shall have the right to enter upon private property to prune any tree or shrub on that property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a street light, or interferes with the visibility of any traffic control device or sign after giving the property owner that notice referred to in subsection 7-4-3B of this chapter. (Ord. 7-1-1993, 7-1-1993)
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code section 7-4-6, if your tree overhangs a street or right-of-way, you must prune it so there is a clear space of 8 feet above the street or sidewalk surface, and you can't let branches block a street lamp's light or obstruct the view of an intersection. You also have to remove dead, diseased, dangerous, broken or decayed limbs that are a safety hazard. If you don't act after notice, the city can enter your property to prune the tree itself when it interferes with street lighting or sign/signal visibility.
Violations & Fines
City forester issues written notice under section 7-4-3B; failure to comply lets the city enter the property and prune the tree at the owner's cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much clearance does my tree need over the street?
What happens if I don't prune an overhanging tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
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