Tree Protection in Louisiana (2026)
17 rules on the books across Louisiana, 11 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Heritage & Protected Trees
Extra protections for old, large, or historically significant trees, including the penalties for removing them without approval.
Jefferson Parish
Significant RestrictionsJefferson Parish protects mature trees through the Metairie Ridge Tree Preservation District overlay and parish-wide…
Read full rule →St Tammany Parish
Light RestrictionsSt. Tammany Parish defines a 'Heritage Tree' as a hardwood 18 inches DBH or greater graded B or better, excluding…
Read full rule →Shreveport
Few RestrictionsShreveport designates no heritage, landmark or specimen trees. Neither the Unified Development Code nor Chapter 98…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
St Tammany Parish
Significant RestrictionsSt. Tammany Parish singles out live oak trees for protection parish-wide: cutting, trimming, removing or damaging a…
Read full rule →Jefferson Parish
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish's tree preservation ordinance protects specific species once they reach a set trunk size, regardless…
Read full rule →Kenner
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Kenner, a tree removal permit under the Unified Development Code is required before clearing land zoned…
Read full rule →Terrebonne Parish
Some RestrictionsTerrebonne Parish requires a construction tree guard at least 4 feet high around any street or park tree whose canopy…
Read full rule →Parkway Planting
Permits and rules for planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb, including approved species lists and Bureau of Street Services standards.
Gretna
Significant RestrictionsPlanting a tree or shrub anywhere on city property in Gretna, including streets, sidewalks, rights-of-way and parks…
Read full rule →Ascension Parish
Some RestrictionsFor property zoned Traditional Neighborhood Development in unincorporated Ascension Parish, UDC Section 17-7054(C)…
Read full rule →Bossier City
Some RestrictionsBossier City's Unified Development Code requires one street buffer tree for every 30 feet of linear street frontage…
Read full rule →Jefferson Parish
Some RestrictionsJefferson Parish requires a permit from the Department of Parkway before anyone plants, removes, trims, prunes or…
Read full rule →Kenner
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Kenner, property owners and their agents may trim trees and other vegetation growing on the public…
Read full rule →Lafayette
Some RestrictionsLafayette requires a permit from the city arborist, plus public works review, before anyone plants a tree or shrub in a…
Read full rule →Lafayette Parish
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree or shrub on public property or in a street right-of-way inside the City of Lafayette requires a permit…
Read full rule →New Orleans
Some RestrictionsNobody may plant a tree, shrub or plant on New Orleans city property, including neutral grounds and rights-of-way…
Read full rule →Terrebonne Parish
Some RestrictionsTerrebonne Parish limits street trees to small species topping out at 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, set at least 2…
Read full rule →Shreveport
Light RestrictionsWant to plant a tree in the parkway strip between the curb and the sidewalk? Shreveport's UDC requires notifying the…
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