Elyria, OH Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum spacing between trees
- Small 30 feet, medium 40 feet, large 50 feet
- Distance from curb and sidewalk
- Small 2.5 feet, medium 3.5 feet, large 5 feet
- Distance from street corner
- No closer than 35 feet
- Distance from fire hydrant
- No closer than ten feet
- Planting permit fee
- No fee, issued by City Urban Forester
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor of the third degree
Summary
In the City of Elyria, Ohio, tree lawn trees must be spaced 30, 40 or 50 feet apart by size class, set back from the curb and sidewalk, kept 35 feet from street corners and ten feet from fire hydrants, and chosen from the City Urban Forester's official species list. A free permit is required to plant.
(b) The spacing of trees shall be in accordance with the three tree size classifications referred to in Section 553.10 and no trees may be planted closer together than the following: small trees, 30 feet; medium trees, 40 feet; and large trees, 50 feet; except in the case of special plantings approved by the Tree Board. (c) The minimum distance a tree shall be planted from the curb and sidewalk shall be in accordance with the tree species size classification as set forth in Section 553.10 and as follows: (1) Small trees - two and one-half feet, thus five foot minimum space required; (2) Medium trees - three and one-half feet, thus seven foot minimum space required; and (3) Large trees - five feet, thus ten foot minimum space required. (d) No tree shall be planted closer than 35 feet to any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs. No tree shall be planted closer than ten feet to any fire hydrant.
Full Breakdown
Section 553.08 of the Elyria Codified Ordinances sets the planting standards for trees on the tree lawn, defined in § 553.13 as the portion of the public right-of-way between the paved roadway surface and the sidewalk, or otherwise the unpaved portion of the right-of-way. The City Urban Forester maintains the official list of acceptable tree lawn species, no other species can be planted as tree lawn trees, and the Tree Board reviews and approves the list with its size classifications annually.
Spacing under division (b) follows three size classes: no trees closer together than 30 feet for small trees, 40 feet for medium trees, and 50 feet for large trees, except for special plantings approved by the Tree Board. Division (c) sets the minimum distance from the curb and sidewalk: two and one-half feet for small trees, thus a five foot minimum space; three and one-half feet for medium trees, thus seven feet; and five feet for large trees, thus ten feet. Division (d) bars planting closer than 35 feet to any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersecting curbs, and closer than ten feet to any fire hydrant. Division (e) allows only small trees under or within ten lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or within five lateral feet of any underground water line, sewer line or other utility.
The companion sections add dimensions. Section 553.10 for smaller areas requires a tree lawn at least five feet wide and ten feet long, section 553.11 for medium areas seven feet wide and 15 feet long, and section 553.12 for larger areas ten feet wide and 20 feet long. Those sections print their own between-tree and structure distances, and the small tree figure of 25 feet in § 553.10 differs from the 30 feet in § 553.08(b), so confirm the figure with the City Urban Forester before planting. Section 553.05(a) requires a permit from the City Urban Forester before planting on a public way or tree lawn, specifying the size, type, species and location, and the ordinance states there shall be no fee for the permit.
Violations & Fines
Section 553.99 makes any violation of Chapter 553 a misdemeanor of the third degree. Sections 553.10 through 553.12 each state that no person shall plant a tree in a tree lawn smaller than the printed dimensions, closer than the printed spacing, or of a species outside the listed trees for that size area. Planting without the § 553.05(a) permit from the City Urban Forester is also a violation of the chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart must street trees be planted in Elyria?
How close to a corner or fire hydrant can I plant a tree?
Can I plant any tree I like on the tree lawn?
What about trees near utility lines?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elyria
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