Twin Falls, ID Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 8-1-5 of the Twin Falls City Code puts the trimming duty on every owner, tenant, or occupant of premises abutting or adjoining any public right of way. Trees, shrubbery, or plant growth of any kind cannot encroach over any sidewalk below a height of seven feet (7') above the sidewalk, and cannot encroach beyond the curb line or edge of pavement into any street or alley below a height of thirteen feet (13') above the street or alley surface. The owner must trim or remove whatever violates those heights.

The Tree Ordinance in Chapter 4 of Title 8 repeats the clearance duty for trees. For public trees planted after July 1, 2004, § 8-4-4-1(B) requires adjacent owners to prune and maintain according to ANSI A300, remove dead limbs and limbs that qualify as public nuisances, and prune overhanging branches to provide sufficient vertical clearance over the sidewalk and street so as not to interfere with "public travel" as defined in § 8-1-5, except as otherwise determined by the tree commission. Topping, heading, shearing, or rounding over are not allowed on public trees. Any commercial chemical application must be made by a state of Idaho department of agriculture licensed professional applicator. For private trees, § 8-4-4-2(A) requires pruning of public nuisance trees and the same vertical clearance over sidewalks and streets, and requires anyone doing tree work to remove or barricade all debris on public property at the end of the working day.

Before pruning or otherwise disturbing a public tree, § 8-4-6(A) requires notice to the Twin Falls parks and recreation department at least two (2) business days ahead, though adjacent owners can do minor pruning, watering, or fertilizing. Section 8-4-8(B) declares a public nuisance any tree or part of one, on public or private property, that obstructs the free passage of pedestrian or vehicular traffic or obstructs public street lighting. Tree service companies working on public trees need a city license under § 8-4-5, issued by parks and recreation for two (2) years at a fee of $25.00, with an ISA certified arborist on staff and $1,000,000.00 in liability insurance.