Casper, WY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Casper Municipal Code § 12.32.070 governs where trees and shrubs may be planted in city rights-of-way and near utilities. Subsection A bars planting any tree within two feet of a curb or sidewalk; subsection B keeps trees and shrubs at least ten feet from any fireplug or utility pole. Subsection C ties intersection plantings back to the sight-triangle rules in Sections 12.24.040 and 12.24.050, and subsection D adds a ten lateral foot buffer from overhead utility wires and a five lateral foot buffer from underground water, sewer or transmission lines.

Subsection E singles out cottonwood-family poplars (genus populus), which cannot be planted within fifty feet of any underground water or sewer line because of their aggressive root systems. Subsection F lets the city manager or a designee grant variances from the location, spacing and species rules for special circumstances such as public beautification projects, after review of submitted plans; trees and shrubs already in the ground keep a grandfathered exemption. Authority for the whole chapter traces to Wyoming Statutes Section 15-1-103(a)(iv), (xiii) and (xli), which lets Wyoming cities regulate for public health, safety and welfare (§ 12.32.010.B).

Day-to-day planting decisions on public streets and grounds sit with the parks and recreation department under the annual community tree plan required by Sections 12.32.030 and 12.32.040, with the city manager holding overall enforcement authority under Section 12.32.050. A violation of any planting standard in Chapter 12.32 is a misdemeanor under Section 12.32.190, punished per the Chapter 1.28 general penalty of up to $750.