Fayetteville, NC Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

a requires street trees along both sides of all streets serving new development, with exemptions for agricultural uses in the AR district (unless later subdivided for residential use) and single-family lots that instead provide one or more canopy trees between the dwelling and the right-of-way at the same spacing standard. Trees must generally be planted between the back of curb and the sidewalk; where that strip won't work, applicants must get an approved cross section from the City's Engineering and Infrastructure Department, and street trees must avoid utility clearances unless the utility owner consents in writing.

Canopy trees are required except directly beneath overhead utility lines, where understory trees are used instead, and two understory trees may substitute for each required canopy tree in that situation. In the DT-1 downtown district and other urban or redevelopment areas, trees may go in reduced planting strips or irrigated tree pits, including pits adjacent to the curb, and any trees along NCDOT right-of-way must meet NCDOT's own guidelines. Spacing is capped at 15 to 25 feet on center for understory trees and 25 to 40 feet on center for canopy trees, depending on mature species size, with small and medium trees placed between large trees to accommodate future canopy growth; an Alternative Landscape Plan can vary this layout.

Separately, Code of Ordinances § 24-12 bars planting any tree within the street right-of-way anywhere in the city without written permission from the city engineer, and § 24-13 requires the same written permission before cutting, trimming or pruning a tree in a street or public place, with work done under the supervision of the superintendent of streets.