Wichita, KS Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Sidewalk clearance
- 7 feet minimum
- Street clearance
- 13.5 feet minimum
- Permit needed for
- Altering public trees (Sec. 9.08.010)
- No-permit exception
- Branches under 2 inches for clearance
- Abatement notice
- 14 days, one 10-day extension
- Maximum penalty
- $200 fine or 30 days jail
Summary
Wichita requires owners of property abutting a street to prune trees so limbs and undergrowth clear at least seven feet above the sidewalk and 13.5 feet above the street, under Municipal Code Sec. 9.08.150. Altering a public tree otherwise needs the Director of Park and Recreation's consent, and violators face up to a $200 fine.
It shall be the duty of all persons owning or controlling any real estate abutting or adjoining any street to prune the trees on their premises so that the limbs and undergrowth shall not hang or extend down over the sidewalk or street abutting such property less than seven feet from the level of such sidewalk or 13.5 feet from such street as required by Section 11.22.020 of the Code of the City of Wichita.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35).
Full Breakdown
020. 5-foot street clearance, along with removing water sprouts and suckers. 030 to remove the stump, fill the hole, and haul away all resulting wood, brush, logs and debris rather than leaving it on the sidewalk or street. 090. 100, ultimately levying a special assessment against the land through the county tax roll if the costs go unpaid within 30 days. 160: a fine of not more than $200 or up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, at the court's discretion, and the court can additionally order the defendant to perform the labor needed to repair, remove or replace damaged trees or to pay the Director's related costs.
Violations & Fines
Failing to keep street-tree limbs clear of the 7-foot sidewalk and 13.5-foot street minimums, or altering a public tree without the Director's consent, is a Chapter 9.08 violation punishable under Section 9.08.160 by a fine of up to $200, up to 30 days in jail, or both. Courts may also order the offender to perform tree repair labor or reimburse the Director's replacement costs, and unpaid nuisance-abatement bills become a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high do I need to trim trees over my Wichita sidewalk?
Do I need a permit to trim a tree in the Wichita right-of-way?
What happens if I don't fix a dangerous or dead tree in Wichita?
What's the penalty for violating Wichita's tree ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wichita
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