Grand Rapids, MI Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Small tree ratio
- 1 per 25 ft of frontage
- Root barrier trigger
- under 7 ft curb-to-walk gap
- Owner maintenance period
- 1 year after planting
- Right-of-way review
- City Forester, Chapter 42
Summary
Grand Rapids requires one small street tree per 25 feet of lot frontage, or a medium/large tree per 40 feet, whenever a site triggers a LUDS permit.
Streetscape Trees. At least one (1) small tree shall be planted for each twenty-five (25) feet of lot frontage or any fraction over twenty-five (25) feet. As an alternative, one (1) medium or large tree may be planted for each forty (40) feet of lot frontage or for any fraction of forty (40) feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 70).
Full Breakdown
Under the Zoning Ordinance's streetscape standards, any project needing a Land Use and Development Services (LUDS) permit or installing/replacing right-of-way sidewalks must plant street trees at a set ratio: one small tree per 25 feet of lot frontage, or one medium/large tree per 40 feet. Root barriers are required where less than 7 feet separates the curb from the sidewalk. Plans for trees in the public right-of-way still need separate review and approval from the City Forester under Chapter 42, the Tree Ordinance. The property owner must maintain each new street tree for one year and replace any that fail.
Violations & Fines
Skipping required street tree planting, or failing to maintain and replace a tree within its first year, is a Zoning Ordinance violation enforced through the LUDS permit and Chapter 42 review process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to plant a street tree in Grand Rapids?
How many street trees does a new development need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grand Rapids
Compare Grand Rapids to another location·View the Michigan tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Kent County handle parkway planting.