Greensboro, NC Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

City Code § 19-38 puts the parks and recreation director in charge of the official street tree plan, which sets the permitted street tree species, size classes, spacing requirements, and how far a tree must sit from curbs, curblines and sidewalks. No one may plant a street tree without first applying for and getting a written permit from the director or a designee, and every planting must follow that on-file plan. 'Street trees' are defined broadly under § 19-36 to include trees, shrubs, bushes and other woody vegetation growing on the land between property lines on either side of any street, avenue, or way in the city.

Utility clearance is mandatory under § 19-40: no street or park tree outside a species on the official plan may be planted within twenty lateral feet of an overhead utility wire or within ten lateral feet of an underground water, sewer or transmission line, though this setback doesn't apply inside the Central Business District. Corner plantings face an added restriction under § 19-39, which bars any street tree that would violate the sight-distance rules for intersections in § 16-88. Adjacent property owners may plant their own street trees under § 19-41(c), but only if the selection and location match the official plan and an application is filed under § 26-24. 2. 1.