Tree Protection in Missouri (2026)
22 rules on the books across Missouri, 17 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.
Jackson County
Significant RestrictionsJackson County's Historic Resources Commission can list a 'significant tree' as a historic Site on the county's…
Read full rule →Boone County
Some RestrictionsBoone County subdivision design must protect and preserve any tree the state lists as a Missouri champion, or any tree…
Read full rule →Independence
Some RestrictionsIndependence's Heritage Commission can designate individual trees as historic landmarks, and once a tree carries that…
Read full rule →Kirkwood
Some RestrictionsKirkwood's Tree Code protects "significant trees," defined as any tree six inches or more in diameter at breast height…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Kirkwood
Some RestrictionsKirkwood's Tree Code will not let an invasive or prohibited species count toward a project's required tree canopy. Only…
Read full rule →Lees Summit
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit does not list endangered species by name, but the UDO gives species-based caliper and height thresholds…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsSpringfield, Missouri's zoning code protects individual 'exceptional quality' trees, chosen for size, canopy, trunk…
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.
Florissant
Significant RestrictionsFlorissant requires a free permit from the Director of Public Works before anyone plants a tree or shrub in a street or…
Read full rule →Columbia
Some RestrictionsColumbia, Missouri regulates what residents can plant in the public street right-of-way, requiring a public works…
Read full rule →Independence
Some RestrictionsIndependence sets exact spacing, diameter, and clearance rules for planting street trees in the public parkway strip…
Read full rule →Jefferson County
Some RestrictionsNew development in unincorporated Jefferson County must plant street trees along its frontage: one tree for every 75…
Read full rule →Kansas City
Some RestrictionsKansas City property owners must get a written permit from the commissioner of streets before planting trees in the…
Read full rule →Kirkwood
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree in the parkway strip along a Kirkwood street requires a "permit to plant" from the Urban Forester under…
Read full rule →La Grange
Some RestrictionsIn the City of La Grange, shade trees planted within the street lines must fall under Street Committee direction and…
Read full rule →Lees Summit
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit Code Section 30-46 sets fixed clearances for planting trees and shrubs near streets: nothing within a…
Read full rule →O Fallon
Some RestrictionsO'Fallon's Landscaping Code sets exact rules for street trees along public roads: City Code § 402.110 requires one tree…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsSpringfield's code sets minimum planting distances for street trees and restricts what can go in a narrow parkway…
Read full rule →St Peters
Some RestrictionsIn the City of St. Peters, Missouri, commercial and industrial developers must plant trees no more than sixty feet…
Read full rule →St. Louis
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis requires a landscape permit before planting a 'landscape bed' over nine square feet in the street…
Read full rule →St. Louis County
Some RestrictionsSt. Louis County requires one street tree for every single-family lot, two on a corner lot, and one per 50 feet of…
Read full rule →Waynesville
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree in Waynesville's street tree lawn takes both distance and permission. Section 597.030 of the Municipal…
Read full rule →Blue Springs
Light RestrictionsIn the City of Blue Springs, Missouri, the City itself holds the right to plant, prune, maintain and remove trees and…
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