The grass strip between Bridgeport sidewalks and the curb (the tree belt or parkway) is public right-of-way; planting, replacing, or removing trees there requires Tree Warden approval and conformance with city street-tree species and spacing standards.
Under CT §23-59 the Tree Warden has exclusive control of public-shade trees, including those on parkway strips fronting private homes. Bridgeport requires homeowners proposing to add trees, shrubs, or groundcover to the parkway to obtain approval; tall solid plantings can be denied for visibility or hydrant access. Approved species typically include disease-resistant native shade trees suited to coastal salt exposure. Residents may be asked to water young plantings during establishment but cannot prune or remove trees without authorization.
Unauthorized parkway tree removal triggers CT §23-65 statutory damages, restoration orders, and refusal of future plantings; obstructive shrubs may be removed at the owner's expense.
See how Bridgeport's parkway planting rules stack up against other locations.
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