North Las Vegas, NV Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Classifying authority
- City Council, Director, or Municipal Forester
- Safety zone
- Dripline +5 ft, or 15 ft from trunk
- Construction buffer
- No structure within 6 ft of trunk
- Fencing standard
- 4-ft chain-link/steel-stake barrier required
- Pruning standard
- ISA and ANSI A300 required
Summary
North Las Vegas designates "heritage trees" under Section 12.15.055 for trees tied to historic places, events or a significant period of the City's growth, listed on a cultural-resources survey, protected in a development approval, or simply of significant size, and once classified, they get extra protection from grading, paving and construction damage.
The City of North Las Vegas is committed to promoting the health, safety and welfare of present and future residents of the City by providing for the preservation of historical trees existing within the City. A heritage tree shall be classified by any of the following: 1.Is of historical value because of its association with a place, building, natural feature, or event of local, regional, or national historic significance; or 2.Is identified on any historic or cultural resources survey as a significant feature of a landmark, historic site or historic district; or 3.Is representative of a significant period of the City's growth or development; or 4.Is designated for protection or conservation in a specific plan, conditional use permit, precise plan of design or similar development approval; or 5.Is of significant size to warrant protection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 146 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
055 lets the City Council, Director or Municipal Forester classify a tree as a heritage tree on any of five grounds: historical association with a significant place, building, feature or event; inclusion on a historic or cultural resources survey as a feature of a landmark, historic site or district; representing a significant period of the City's growth; protection under a specific plan, conditional use permit or precise plan of design; or simply being of significant size. 020 as the area from the dripline out to at least five feet beyond it or fifteen feet from the trunk, whichever is greater.
No structure or impervious paving may sit within that safety zone or within six feet of the trunk, whichever is greater, and the entire safety zone must be enclosed with a chain-link and steel-stake fence at least four feet high, installed before any development starts and kept up through construction, with branches that could be struck by vehicles or block construction pruned as the City's landscape architectural consultant directs. 050 requires that all heritage-tree pruning follow International Society of Arboriculture and ANSI A300 standards on the Municipal Forester's recommendation.
Violations & Fines
Grading, construction, material storage, grade changes or wire attachment within a heritage tree's safety zone before the required protective fencing is installed violates Section 12.15.080, and any structure or impervious paving placed inside that zone or within six feet of the trunk is likewise prohibited. Separately, Section 12.15.070 makes it unlawful for anyone unauthorized to injure, deface or destroy a City tree by any means.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree a "heritage tree" in North Las Vegas?
Can a builder work near a heritage tree during construction?
What standards govern pruning a heritage tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Las Vegas
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