Albany, OR Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

In the City of Albany, Oregon, street tree planting standards live in Chapter 7.98, Tree Regulations. The width rule in § 7.98.060 ties the minimum planting strip to the tree's mature size. Section 7.98.050 sorts approved street trees into three classes by mature height: small (under 30 feet), medium (30 to 50 feet), and large (over 50 feet). No tree can be planted in a planting strip narrower than three feet for a small tree, five feet for a medium tree, or eight feet for a large tree. The only exception is where the curb and sidewalk are protected by a chemical or mechanical barrier approved by the City Forester.

The Parks, Recreation, and Tree Advisory Commission maintains the list of approved trees and a list of trees not suitable for planting along streets, and it develops the spacing criteria (§ 7.98.050). It also establishes standards for planting street trees in vision clearance areas (§ 7.98.070). Where a roadway has no established curb or gutter, § 7.98.080 bars trees, shrubs, or plantings more than 18 inches in height above the adjacent grade in the abutting public right-of-way unless the City Engineer approves.

Planting needs a permit. Section 7.98.040 requires a permit from the City Forester before planting, pruning, or otherwise affecting a street tree. Adjacent property owners can plant street trees with a permit, provided the selection, location, and planting follow the chapter, and permits are valid for 180 days. A street tree planted out of compliance can be removed by the City at the direction of the Commission, and the person who planted it bears the cost. Around existing street trees, excavation within 10 feet needs City Forester approval, and building material or debris must stay at least four feet away (§ 7.98.030). Topping a street tree is unlawful under § 7.98.090. Street trees, as § 7.98.020 defines them, are trees located in public rights-of-way within the City.