Apple Valley, MN Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

The rule is § 153.59 of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances, found in Chapter 153, Subdivision Control, and adopted by Ord. 293 on 4-21-83. It is a design standard for street trees planted as part of a plat in the City of Apple Valley, Dakota County, Minnesota. The section opens with the words "When planted," so it controls how street trees are placed once a tree is planted; it does not itself say how many species or which species the city will accept.

Five numbers do the work. Spacing is not less than 40 feet apart. Quantity is a minimum of one tree per lot. Location is five to seven feet inside the property line, and expressly not in the boulevard, which keeps the tree on the lot side of the line and off the strip beside the curb. Corner lots carry their own clearance: no trees within 30 feet of the intersection of curb lines. Size is measured at the trunk: the minimum is 1½ inches in diameter at ground line.

The neighboring section adds tree-protection conditions to the same plat review. Section 153.60(B)(9) allows trees, other than diseased or damaged trees, to be cut or removed only to accommodate acceptable elevations for streets, building sites, driveways or utilities, and it requires the applicant to show that grading preserves root zone aeration and stability and provides a watering area equal to at least one half of each tree's crown cover. The size and species of trees used in reforestation must be approved by the city. A cross-reference under § 153.60 points to tree preservation requirements in § 152.46.

Under § 153.50, plats must conform to the subdivision design standards except where deviations are approved by the City Council or where a specific variance is granted by the City Council, so the Apple Valley City Council is the body that can relax a planting requirement in a plat.