Ankeny, IA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Ankeny Code of Ordinances § 166.01 defines "parking" as the part of the public right-of-way not covered by sidewalk, lying between the lot line and the curb line, or, on streets without curbs, between the lot line and the traveled portion of the street; this is the parkway strip where street trees stand. Section 166.02 makes it "unlawful for any person to commence or proceed with the planting of any tree within the parking, without first obtaining a permit," and § 166.03 requires the property owner, or an agent duly authorized in writing, to apply to the Public Works Director or designee.

Before that permit issues, § 166.04 requires the applicant to submit a detailed plan of the proposed planting "showing in detail the type of tree and its location along the street with reference to the street, sidewalk, driveway, any light poles, traffic signs, fire hydrants, mailboxes, and property lines," and the City will not issue the permit until the plan is filed and approved. Section 166.05 ties the technical limits, minimum tree diameter, minimum planting area, tree alignment, tree separation, and the list of allowed street trees, to a separate document, the Street Tree Planting Permit Guidelines, rather than printing the numbers in the ordinance itself.

Once planted, § 166.06 requires the applicant to notify the Public Works Director or designee after marking the proposed tree locations so the City can inspect the site, keeping every parkway tree tied back to an approved, inspected permit.