Corvallis, OR Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Protected tree age
- At least 50 years old on a historic property
- Ordinary tree removal
- Exempt from permit if not Historically Significant
- Hazard removal path
- ISA/ASCA 12-point Hazard Tree Evaluation required
- Reviewing official
- City Urban Forester approves hazardous-tree removal
- Notice required
- Historic Resources Commission notified after removal
Summary
In the City of Corvallis, a tree only becomes a protected 'Historically Significant Tree' once it sits on a Designated Historic Resource property, is at least 50 years old, and predates that property's period of historic significance. Ordinary tree removal on such properties is exempt from a Historic Preservation Permit, but removing a Historically Significant Tree is not, unless it is hazardous and the removal is cleared first by the City's Urban Forester.
Historically Significant Tree—Historically Significant Tree is defined as a tree that meets the criteria described in "a," "b," or "c," below: ... The tree is located on a Designated Historic Resource property, is at least 50 years old, and has been in existence since a time prior to, or during, the Designated Historic Resource's Period of Significance; ... 3.Removal of trees that are not considered to be Historically Significant Trees, based on the definition in Chapter 1.6. ... x.Historically Significant Hazardous Trees - Removal of Historically Significant Trees that qualify as Hazardous Trees, based on the definition of Hazardous Tree in Chapter 1.6. The Hazardous Tree determination must be based on a Hazard Tree Evaluation that has been performed by an ISA Certified Arborist or ASCA Consulting Arborist using the 12-point hazard evaluation method, and the associated report must be filed with the Director and the City's Urban Forester. Removal may only occur following the City's Urban Forester's review and approval of the Hazard Tree Evaluation that recommends for removal of the tree. Following removal of the tree, the City must notify the HRC that the action has occurred.
Full Breakdown
The Corvallis Land Development Code (LDC) protects trees only when they qualify as 'Historically Significant' under LDC § 1.6.50: the tree must sit on a Designated Historic Resource property, be at least 50 years old, and have existed since before or during that property's period of historic significance, among other listed criteria. Removing an ordinary tree, by contrast, is one of the routine-maintenance activities exempted from Historic Preservation Permit review under LDC § 2.9.40.b.3, which lets an owner clear any tree that is not considered to be Historically Significant without going through the Historic Resources Commission (HRC) or the Director's permit process.
A Historically Significant Tree gets no such exemption, with one narrow path: LDC § 2.9.40.x lets an owner remove a Historically Significant Tree that has become hazardous, but only after an ISA Certified Arborist or ASCA Consulting Arborist completes a 12-point Hazard Tree Evaluation, files that report with the Director and the City's Urban Forester, and the Urban Forester reviews and approves the removal recommendation. Once the tree comes down, the City must notify the HRC that the removal occurred. If Code elsewhere, such as Chapter 4.2's landscaping standards, requires a replacement tree on that site, the owner must still plant one meeting those separate provisions.
Property owners considering work near a historic tree should contact the Community Development Department's Historic Preservation Program before cutting, since removing a Historically Significant Tree without approval is treated as a Code violation.
Violations & Fines
Removing a Historically Significant Tree without an approved Hazard Tree Evaluation is treated as an unpermitted alteration to a Designated Historic Resource, enforceable under LDC Chapter 1.3 as referenced in LDC § 2.9.30.12. The Director can require corrective action, including replacement planting consistent with Chapter 4.2's landscaping standards, and can withhold further Historic Preservation Permit approvals for the property until compliance is documented with the Community Development Department and the Historic Resources Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove any tree on a historic property in Corvallis without a permit?
What if a Historically Significant Tree becomes dangerous?
Does the City get notified after a hazardous historic tree comes down?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corvallis
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