Bradenton, FL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 62-2 of the Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful in the City of Bradenton to plant, set out or maintain any tree, plant or shrub of any kind in a grass plot between the street, curb and sidewalk without first obtaining permission from the superintendent of parks. The verbs are planting, setting out and maintaining, so the permission requirement is written to cover a plant kept in the strip as well as a new one. The section prints no application form, fee or planting specification, which makes the superintendent of parks the single decision point named in the text.

Two neighboring sections protect the same strip. Section 62-3 makes it unlawful to destroy, deface or mar any grass plot in and along the streets of the city, unlawful to destroy any grass in those plots, and unlawful to drive any automobile or vehicle of any character or kind over, along or across the grass plots or parkways in any of the streets of the city. The Code's chapter 1 definition of sidewalk excludes parkways, so the grass strip is treated as its own space between the curbline and the pedestrian way.

Once a tree or shrub is growing there, Section 62-1 governs what the abutting owner owes the public. Any tree or shrub that overhangs a public street or sidewalk in a way that impedes or interferes with travel must be trimmed by the owner of the abutting premises or the premises on which it grows. Roots that damage a public street or sidewalk must be cut and removed by the property owner within ten days after written notice from the director of public works, and if the owner does not act the director of public works has the roots removed and assesses the cost against the property owner. A tree likely to fall on or across a public street or sidewalk must be removed by the owner of the premises on which it stands.