Albany, NY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Core ratio
- 1 shade tree per 35 ft frontage
- Triggers
- New builds, 25%+ additions, 4+ space lots
- Power-line alternative
- 12-ft ornamental tree per 20 ft
- Species source
- City of Albany Selected Plant List
- Right-of-way say
- Dept. of General Services can reject sites
Summary
New construction, major additions and site redevelopment in Albany must plant at least one shade tree per 35 linear feet of street frontage, set between the sidewalk and curb, under the city's landscaping code.
At least one shade tree shall be planted per 35 linear feet of street frontage, to be arranged as follows: Shade trees shall be located in the planting area between the sidewalk and street or curb, and shall be planted with thirty-five-foot on-center spacing to the maximum degree practicable; or Where a detached sidewalk does not exist, shade trees shall be planted in alignment with any similar street frontage landscaping on adjacent lots.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4873446; v61 updated 2026-03-18; through 03-18-2026).
Full Breakdown
Albany's Unified Sustainable Development Ordinance requires street trees whenever a new principal structure goes up, an existing building's floor area grows more than 25%, a renovation exceeds 25% of the assessed property value, or a parking lot of four or more spaces is built or reconstructed. The standard is one shade tree per 35 linear feet of frontage, spaced 35 feet on-center in the planting strip between sidewalk and curb. Where overhead power lines rule out shade trees, a 12-foot ornamental tree every 20 feet substitutes instead. Species must come from the City Forester's approved plant list, and the Department of General Services can reject unsafe right-of-way locations, shifting the planting elsewhere on the lot.
Violations & Fines
Not a stand-alone offense with its own fine; it's a site plan and building permit condition. Work proceeding without the required frontage trees can draw a stop-work order from the Chief Building Official or Chief Planning Official under the USDO's general stop-work authority until the landscaping is brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does building a new house in Albany require street trees?
What if power lines run above the planting strip?
Who decides exactly where the trees go?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Albany
New York rules heatmap·Compare Albany to another location·View the New York tree protection overview
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