Tigard, OR Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance over sidewalk
- Not less than eight feet
- Clearance over street
- Not less than 13 feet
- Applies to
- Trees and bushes adjoining the right-of-way, including parking strips
- Hazard trees
- Cannot be allowed to stand
- Penalty
- Class 1 civil infraction, up to $250 per day
- Duty falls on
- The responsible party, including owner, occupant or agent
Summary
In the City of Tigard, Oregon, branches of trees and bushes that adjoin the right-of-way, including an adjoining parking strip, must be trimmed to at least eight feet above a sidewalk and at least 13 feet above a street. Branches or roots cannot extend into the right-of-way in a way that interferes with its use, and hazard trees cannot be left standing.
A. No responsible party shall permit branches or roots of trees or bushes on the property to extend into a right-of-way in a manner which interferes with its use. B. A responsible party shall keep the branches of all trees or bushes on the premises that adjoin the right-of-way, including an adjoining parking strip, trimmed to a height of not less than eight feet above a sidewalk and not less than 13 feet above a street. C. No responsible party shall allow to stand any hazard tree as defined in Chapter 8.02.
Full Breakdown
Section 6.02.030 of the Tigard Municipal Code sets three duties for the responsible party of property in the City of Tigard. Subsection A bars branches or roots of trees or bushes on the property from extending into a right-of-way in a manner which interferes with its use. Subsection B sets the clearance numbers: branches of all trees or bushes on the premises that adjoin the right-of-way, including an adjoining parking strip, must be trimmed to a height of not less than eight feet above a sidewalk and not less than 13 feet above a street.
Subsection C bars any responsible party from allowing a hazard tree to stand. Section 8.02.050 defines a hazard tree as a tree or tree part that has been or could be determined by an independent tree risk assessor to be a high level hazard requiring hazard tree abatement, with an overall minimum risk rating of 8 for trees or parts up to four-inch DBH, 9 for those greater than four-inch and up to 20-inch DBH, or 10 for those greater than 20-inch DBH, using the methodology in Appendix 1 of the Urban Forestry Manual.
Section 6.01.020 defines right-of-way to include streets, crosswalks, pedestrian or bike paths and street trees. Overgrown vegetation that impairs the view of the right-of-way or otherwise makes its use hazardous also counts as noxious vegetation under that section. Section 6.02.120 requires all property in the city to meet the visual clearance requirements of TCDC 18.930.030. The responsible party can be the owner, an agent with maintenance authority, or any occupant such as a tenant.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 6.02.030 is a Class 1 civil infraction under § 6.01.040.A, with a civil penalty or administrative fee not to exceed $250 per day under § 1.16.640.A.1. Each day the branches stay below the clearance height is a separate infraction, and the maximum doubles for a second similar violation within 24 months and quadruples for a third. Multiple responsible parties are jointly and severally liable for abatement costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high must tree branches be trimmed over a sidewalk in the City of Tigard?
Do roots count, or only branches?
What is a hazard tree under the code?
Who has to do the trimming if a tenant lives on the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tigard
Compare Tigard to another location·View the Oregon landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle tree trimming.