Mobile, AL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Sec. D governs streetscaping in the Peninsula Overlay's commercial districts: sidewalk and streetscape improvements must go in at redevelopment, sidewalks must hold a minimum 5-foot width along the existing frontage, and where that width can't fit in the existing right-of-way, the remainder must be dedicated to the city with the front yard then measured from the back edge of the new sidewalk. 3 requires street trees adjacent to the lot frontage, spaced as required by the approved plant list. Sec. 3 imposes the identical sidewalk and street-tree requirement in the Africatown Overlay.

The Spring Hill Overlay is considerably more specific: Sec. D requires that in the Village Center and Neighborhood Center sub-districts, street trees be counted toward the landscaping percentage, any trees that can't fit in the landscaped area be donated to the Mobile Tree Commission for planting as public trees, and street trees adjacent to the lot frontage be spaced approximately 30 feet on-center. Outside these overlays, the citywide standard at Sec. 2(b) sets frontage-tree ratios for every building site seeking a permit (R-1 and R-2 lots are exempt): at least one plant unit per 40 feet of road frontage, with at least one overstory tree per 50 feet, and existing right-of-way trees between the curb and sidewalk can count if they're shown on the filed landscape plan.

The urban forester may waive required trees where the count is inappropriate for the site, but waived trees must be donated to the Mobile Tree Commission. Sec. 2(d) bars planting within 10 feet of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, or utilities on city right-of-way (absent city approval), within 15 feet of a monument or freestanding sign, or within 15 feet of overhead power lines along street frontages.