Littleton, CO Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

Historic trees must sit inside a fenced tree protection zone during any nearby construction, and the zone stays fenced with an "Off Limits" posting until the Director signs off on a final site inspection. A healthy historic tree cannot simply be cut down for convenience: the applicant must show the Director that the tree limits the buildable area below what zoning otherwise allows, or that it hinders compliance with the district's development standards, and must provide mitigation. Review happens whenever the property goes through a Site Plan, Master Development Plan, major modification, Grading Permit, Preliminary or Final Plat, or Building Permit application under Subsec.

1. Mitigation for damaged or removed protected trees runs two caliper inches of replacement planting for every caliper inch lost, on top of any other required landscaping under Subsec. c. Where replacement on site is impractical, the Director may accept an in-lieu payment of $500 per replacement tree, which goes into a tree reserve account the city uses to plant trees, irrigation, and related improvements in parks, rights-of-way, and other public open space near the project. A historic tree removed or damaged without approval triggers the stop-work and restoration-plan process in Code Chapter 11, Enforcement, Violations, and Remedies, with a required narrative restoration plan and schedule completed before final inspection.