Lee's Summit, MO Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 30-46 governs where trees and shrubs may go near the public right-of-way. Subsection A bars planting in the vision clearance area defined by the Unified Development Ordinance or in the sight triangle the City Traffic Engineer sets for an intersection, unless the Engineer has reviewed and approved the encroachment. Subsection B fixes hard distances: no planting within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, fireplug or storm box, and none within 2 feet of a street curb or sidewalk. Subsection C folds in Chapter 26's right-of-way encroachment rules.

Before any of that, Section 30-43(A) requires anyone planting a tree or shrub on City-owned property or right-of-way to first get permission, from the Director of Public Works for street right-of-way, or the Administrator of Parks and Recreation for park property. Section 30-48 adds utility clearances on top of the street setbacks: no planting within 10 feet of an overhead utility wire, and none within 5 lateral feet of an underground water, sewer, storm sewer, electric, fiber or telephone line, unless the species is one the Director of Public Works has pre-approved for that spot.

Trees planted and existing before the 2022 ordinance (Ord. No. 9574) may stay in place under Section 30-44 unless the Director determines they obstruct vision clearance, interfere with utilities or traffic devices, or present a safety hazard. The Director of Public Works enforces these standards under Section 30-42 and may order pruning, relocation or removal of a noncompliant planting.