El Paso County, CO Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LDC § 6.2.2(B)(2)(d)
- Default rule
- trees not allowed in County ROW
- Exception
- written ROW-owner approval required
- Safeguard required
- tree root guards where appropriate
Summary
El Paso County bars tree planting in its road rights-of-way as a rule; a landscaping tree may go into the ROW only with the right-of-way owner's approval, a maintenance agreement, and root guards where needed.
Generally, trees are not allowed to be placed within any County right-of-way. Placing of the required roadway landscaping trees within the right-of-way shall not negate the requirement for the required roadway landscape area. All landscaping placed within County Right-of-way shall install appropriate safeguards for roadway and/or sidewalks to include "Tree root guards" where appropriate. Permission must be granted for all landscaping within the County Right-of-way through the Department of Public Works.
(e) Single-Family PUD Roadway Landscaping. Roadway landscaping along local residential roadways (non-arterials) within a residential PUD is subject to the individual PUD.
(3) Walls and Fences in Roadway Landscape Area. Walls and fences which are 25% or more opaque shall not exceed 3 feet in height when located within a required roadway landscaping area. Opaque walls and fences higher than 3 feet (such as noise barriers) shall be located outside of the roadway landscaping area to maintain a landscaped appearance along the road.
(C) Parking Lot Landscape Requirements.
(1) Required Trees. A tree of a type suitable for parking lots shall be provided for every 15 parking spaces in parking lots with 15 or more parking spaces. The required trees may be clustered and shall be located in a manner which will divide and break up expanses of paving and long rows of parking and create a canopy effect over the parking lot. See Landscaping and Planting Manual for island details.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Land Development Code: Supplement 3 | Drainage Criteria Manual: Publication | Engineering Criteria Manual: Supplement 3 | Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
El Paso County's Land Development Code addresses street tree planting under its roadway landscaping standards in LDC § 6.2.2(B)(2)(d). The rule flips the usual assumption: trees are not allowed within County right-of-way as a rule. A landscaping tree can still go into the ROW, but only when the right-of-way owner signs off, no utility-easement conflicts exist, and planting along a private road carries a maintenance agreement between the parties. Where the County allows ROW planting, the applicant must install root guards and other safeguards to protect the roadway and sidewalk.
Violations & Fines
Placing trees in the County right-of-way without approval violates LDC § 6.2.2(B)(2)(d); Planning and Community Development can require their removal, and unauthorized ROW plantings do not excuse the required roadway landscape area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a street tree in the road right-of-way in unincorporated El Paso County?
Does planting a tree in the ROW satisfy my roadway landscaping requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso County
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