Provo Urban Forestry designates heritage trees under §12.16.050 based on species rarity, 24+ inch DBH, and historical significance. Removal requires City Council approval. Utah County has no unincorporated heritage program.
Provo Municipal Code §12.16.050 authorizes the City Forester and Parks & Recreation Board to designate Heritage Trees based on trunk diameter (24+ inches DBH), species rarity, age, historical significance, or cultural value. Notable examples include historic cottonwoods along the Provo River Parkway and pioneer-era fruit trees. Removal of designated heritage trees requires City Council approval after public hearing; exceptions granted only for imminent safety hazards documented by certified arborist. Construction within the critical root zone (1 ft radius per inch DBH) requires protective barriers and monitoring. Damage triggers fines plus restoration. Orem has a similar Notable Tree program under §13-14-7. Utah County unincorporated areas have no heritage tree ordinance — Utah state law doesn't mandate county protection. Residents may nominate trees through Provo Parks & Recreation; designation requires board vote. BYU campus maintains its own heritage tree inventory separate from city ordinance.
Unauthorized removal of heritage tree (Provo §12.16.090): $2,000 to $25,000 based on appraised value using ISA trunk formula. Construction damage: $1,000 to $10,000 plus restoration. Willful destruction may trigger criminal mischief under Utah Code §76-6-106.
Utah County, UT
Utah County regulates amplified music under general noise ordinances. Provo City Code §9.06 and Orem City Code §9-3 govern sound. Special event permits requi...
Utah County, UT
Utah County cities follow the 2021 International Building Code with Utah amendments requiring EV-ready parking in new multifamily construction. Residential L...
Utah County, UT
Provo bans overnight street parking from 3 AM to 5 AM year-round (Provo Code §9.45.050). Orem and unincorporated Utah County restrict overnight parking durin...
Utah County, UT
Utah County and its cities regulate fence materials by zone. Provo City Code §14.34 and Orem City Code §22-14-15 specify approved materials. Wood, vinyl, wro...
Utah County, UT
Retaining walls over 4 feet (measured from footing bottom to top) require a building permit and engineered drawings in Provo, Orem, and unincorporated Utah C...
Utah County, UT
Utah County has no breed-specific legislation. Utah Code §18-2-101 prohibits all local governments in Utah from enacting breed-specific laws. Dangerous anima...
See how Utah County's heritage & protected trees rules stack up against other locations.
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