Lehi, UT Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Designating authority
- Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
- Governing statute
- Utah Code Ann. 65A-8-301 et seq.
- Advisory body
- 5-member Heritage Trees Advisory Committee
- Lehi's role
- Encourages protection only, no local penalty
- Local list
- None; no City heritage-tree ordinance
Summary
Lehi has no local heritage-tree designation of its own: heritage trees are defined and designated at the state level, and the City's role under its forestry code is limited to encouraging protection of trees the state has already recognized.
"Heritage Trees" refers to any tree or group of trees so designated by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands in accordance with the criteria given in Utah Code Ann. 65A-8-302. ... Heritage trees are governed by the State of Utah and designated by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands and the Utah Community Forest Council. Lehi City encourages the protection of accepted and recognized Heritage Trees according to Utah Code 65A-8301 et seq.
Full Breakdown
The Lehi City Development Code addresses heritage trees only by reference to state authority. I defines "Heritage Trees" as any tree or group of trees designated by the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands under the criteria in Utah Code Ann. 65A-8-302, noting that a Heritage Trees Advisory Committee of five persons appointed by the division administers that designation. B, titled "State of Utah Heritage Trees," confirms that heritage trees are governed by the State of Utah and designated by the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands together with the Utah Community Forest Council, and states that Lehi City "encourages" the protection of accepted and recognized Heritage Trees according to Utah Code 65A-8301 et seq.
140, apply to Public Trees generally rather than to heritage-designated trees as a distinct category. A heritage-designated tree standing on private land in Lehi is therefore protected, if at all, under the state statute and its division-level committee, not under a City ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 35 does not attach a City penalty specifically to damaging or removing a state-designated Heritage Tree; Section 35.120.B is worded as encouragement rather than a mandate, so enforcement of heritage-tree protection runs through the state Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands under Utah Code 65A-8-301 et seq., not the Lehi Class C misdemeanor penalty in Section 35.210.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lehi have its own heritage tree ordinance?
Who decides if a tree in Lehi qualifies as a Heritage Tree?
Can I be fined by Lehi for cutting down a Heritage Tree on my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lehi
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Heritage & Protected Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Utah County handle heritage & protected trees.