Asheville, NC Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Chapter 20, Article II of the Asheville City Code governs planting in the public street right-of-way, commonly the frontage strip or planting strip, which Sec. 20-4 defines as "a continuous planting strip, exclusive of access driveways, abutting a public street." Sec. 20-21(b) requires a written permit from the public works director before any person plants a tree or shrub on city property, including that strip, and a companion permit covers removal, pruning, or work within a tree's drip line under Sec. 20-22.

Getting the permit means more than asking: Sec. 20-23 requires anyone planting under the chapter's provisions to submit a scaled planting plan in triplicate showing the street width and its curb, gutter, parking strip and sidewalk divisions; the location of overhead and underground utilities; the exact placement, species, mature height and caliper of every proposed and existing tree; the spacing in feet between trees in the same row; and the soil condition to a depth of three feet along with the drainage system. A simple letter of intent can substitute for small, non-development plantings. Species selection is not left to the applicant alone: Sec. 20-5(b) directs the parks and recreation director to maintain a Master Street Tree Plan specifying which species may be planted along each street, and that plan governs once adopted by city council.

Utilities get a narrow carve-out. Sec. 20-21(c) lets a utility perform routine maintenance on trees rooted in city property without a separate permit only if the work follows written specifications the public works director has already approved, valid for two years before renewal.