Dubuque, IA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Dubuque City Code section 6-8-1 puts every parkway strip, the grass or landscaped band between the curb and the sidewalk, under city manager control. Subsection A makes it unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to plant or remove a tree in that right of way without the city manager's written permission, and the city manager sets the conditions attached to each approval rather than the code specifying species, spacing or size limits directly. Subsection B requires the city manager to write a street tree and landscaping on public right of way policy, adopted with city council approval, that governs planting, maintenance and removal of trees, shrubs, nonwoody vegetation and other right-of-way landscaping citywide; the current version traces to Ordinance 12-15, adopted February 16, 2015.

Because chapter 8 of title 6 carries no separate fine schedule for unauthorized planting or removal, a violation defaults to the general penalty in section 1-4-1, which ties the fine to Iowa Code section 903.1 plus court costs, or to the civil municipal infraction track in section 1-4-2. Homeowners planning a parkway tree, or a contractor removing one for a driveway or utility project, should contact the city manager's office before starting work rather than assuming a private landscaper's judgment satisfies the ordinance.