Kansas City Parks and Recreation manages street trees in the public right-of-way. Residents must obtain a Parks permit before planting, removing or substantially pruning a parkway tree, and approved species lists steer choices toward storm- and drought-resistant native varieties.
Under Chapter 64 streets and Chapter 88 zoning provisions, the strip between sidewalk and curb (parkway) and other right-of-way landscaping is controlled by KC Parks and Recreation Forestry Division. Residents who want to plant a tree in their parkway must apply for a free permit, choose from the approved species list, and meet utility-clearance and sight-line standards. Removal or major pruning of an existing parkway tree requires a Parks permit and may trigger a replacement requirement. Heritage trees on private land are protected under Chapter 88 tree provisions. KC Parks partners with Heartland Tree Alliance and Bridging The Gap on plantings in priority canopy-deficit neighborhoods identified in Climate Plan KC.
Planting an unapproved species, removing or topping a parkway tree without a permit, or damaging public trees can trigger Parks restitution fees based on appraised value plus Chapter 88 fines, often hundreds to thousands of dollars per tree.
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City uses tree-planting goals, cool-roof incentives and stormwater green infrastructure to reduce urban heat-island effects. Climate Plan KC targets a...
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City regulates the removal of trees on public property and in the public right-of-way through the Parks and Recreation Department's Forestry Division....
See how Kansas City's parkway planting rules stack up against other locations.
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