Norwalk, CT Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Designated by
- Tree Warden + Urban Forestry Commission
- Qualifying factor
- Species DBH threshold + exceptional value
- Who can nominate
- Resident, owner, City dept, organization
- Tracked in
- Public Legacy Tree Registry
- Removal from registry
- Only if dead, hazardous, or unqualified
Summary
Norwalk's Tree Warden designates trees of exceptional size, history or public significance as Legacy Trees under § 112-5, adding them to a public Legacy Tree Registry after full Urban Forestry Commission approval, with extra protection against unauthorized removal or pruning.
The Tree Warden, after consultation with the Urban Forestry Commission, shall establish and maintain a Legacy Tree Program to recognize, preserve, and promote Trees of exceptional value to the City based on size, history, and public significance. (1) A Tree may be designated as a Legacy Tree if, in the judgment of the Tree Warden, it meets or exceeds a species-appropriate DBH threshold and possesses characteristics of exceptional value, such as historical or cultural significance, outstanding size or form, community or aesthetic importance, or ecological rarity. (2) Any resident, property owner, City department, or organization may nominate a tree for Legacy Tree designation using a standard form provided by the City.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4888624; v55 updated 2026-05-26; through 05-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 112-5A directs the Tree Warden, after consulting the Urban Forestry Commission, to run a Legacy Tree Program that recognizes, preserves and promotes trees of exceptional value based on size, history and public significance. A tree qualifies if the Tree Warden judges it to meet or exceed a species-appropriate diameter-at-breast-height threshold and to show exceptional value, such as historical or cultural significance, outstanding size or form, community or aesthetic importance, or ecological rarity (§ 112-5A(1)). Any resident, property owner, City department or organization may nominate a tree using a standard City form; the Tree Warden evaluates the tree's condition against the criteria, and an approved nomination goes to the Urban Forestry Commission for a vote at a regular or special meeting before the tree is added to the City's Legacy Tree Registry (§ 112-5A(2)).
The Tree Warden can remove a tree from the registry only if it dies, becomes a public hazard, or no longer meets the criteria through decline, and only with Urban Forestry Commission approval based on the Tree Warden's supporting documentation (§ 112-5B). The registry itself, tracking species, location, DBH and designation date for every Legacy Tree, must be made publicly available in a format the Tree Warden sets.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 112 folds Legacy Tree protection into its general removal and pruning permit scheme: no one may alter, damage or prune a City Tree, City Shrub or Required Tree, which includes a designated Legacy Tree, without a Tree Warden permit (§ 112-7A), and unpermitted pruning or damage draws a fine of up to $250 per tree per violation (§ 112-7D). A Legacy Tree removed without permission triggers its own replacement rule under § 112-10D rather than the standard inch-for-inch options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if a tree becomes a Norwalk Legacy Tree?
Can anyone nominate a tree for Legacy Tree status?
What protects a Legacy Tree from being cut down?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Norwalk
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