Cincinnati, OH Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 743-7 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code bars any person from commencing or proceeding with any operation involving a public tree, which by definition includes planting a tree on a public street or parkway, without first obtaining a permit from the director. Section 743-9 sets who may apply: the property owner or an authorized agent, landscape architect, or contractor; the abutting property owner (or agent) for work within the street; a public utility for work tied to its regular operations; or another person with control over the affected property.

Every application must be accompanied by the permit fee set in § 743-11 (no charge for work estimated under $500; $1 per $100, or fraction, above that). If the proposed work involves planting a public tree, the applicant must file plans and specifications with the director showing the location, size, species and condition of all existing trees in the vicinity, plus the location, size and species of any tree to be planted, along with nearby buildings, street lights, traffic signals, signs, pavement, sidewalks, curb cuts and utilities, in the form and detail required by the director's urban forestry regulations.

The director must approve or deny the application within 15 days of filing under § 743-13, in writing if denied; an application not acted on within 15 days is deemed approved once fees and any compensatory payments are paid. Permits can be issued per job or, for utilities doing routine work, on an annual basis.