Tree Protection in Ohio (2026)
17 rules on the books across Ohio, 14 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Cleveland
Heavy RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances §§ 509.16-509.17 target Dutch Elm disease and Elm Blight specifically, giving the…
Read full rule →Medina
Significant RestrictionsMedina Codified Ordinances § 907.01(i) defines a 'protected tree' by trunk size: any public tree with a DBH of two…
Read full rule →Columbus
Some RestrictionsColumbus maintains official lists of tree species approved for planting along public streets, parks, and public places…
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.
Akron
Some RestrictionsAkron bars anyone from planting a tree, plant, or shrub in a public highway, parkway strip, or park until the Director…
Read full rule →Canton
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Canton, Ohio, planting a tree in the tree lawn along a City street requires a $5 permit from the…
Read full rule →Cincinnati
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree in a Cincinnati parkway or street strip requires an urban forestry permit under CMC § 743-7, with a…
Read full rule →Cleveland
Some RestrictionsCleveland Codified Ordinances § 509.13 requires a written permit from the Director of Public Properties before anyone…
Read full rule →Columbus
Some RestrictionsWant to plant a tree in the parkway strip along a Columbus street? You need a Recreation and Parks Department permit…
Read full rule →Dayton
Some RestrictionsDayton's zoning code requires owners to plant shade trees along every street frontage, one tree per 30 linear feet…
Read full rule →Elyria
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Elyria, Ohio, tree lawn trees must be spaced 30, 40 or 50 feet apart by size class, set back from the…
Read full rule →Marion
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Marion, Ohio, no one can plant a tree or shrub in the tree lawn, the street lawn, or the area between…
Read full rule →Medina
Some RestrictionsIn every new Medina subdivision the developer pays for street trees and the City installs them, with the City Forester…
Read full rule →Middletown
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Middletown, Ohio, new streets built as part of a subdivision in the Business Center District must plant…
Read full rule →Newark
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Newark, Ohio, the Director of Public Service controls any planting, moving, trimming or other work on…
Read full rule →Oregon
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Oregon, Ohio, street trees planted in public ways and tree lawns must come from an approved species list…
Read full rule →Parma
Some RestrictionsNew Parma streets get a City-designated Tree Plan assigning one tree to the tree lawn of every recorded sublot. Section…
Read full rule →Youngstown
Some RestrictionsTrees planted along a Youngstown, Ohio street must sit midway between the curb and the sidewalk, not off to one side…
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