NDOT and the Metro Urban Forester regulate planting in the public right-of-way, including parkways between sidewalk and curb. Residents must obtain a permit and plant approved species at proper spacing and clearances from utilities and signs.
Metro Code Title 13 governs public right-of-way encroachments, including street trees. The Urban Forester maintains a recommended species list emphasizing diverse, drought-tolerant natives sized to overhead clearances. NDOT requires planting permits for parkway trees and reviews proposed locations to avoid conflicts with sight triangles, fire hydrants, streetlights, signal vaults, and Nashville Electric Service overhead lines. Minimum spacing from curbs and structures applies. Property owners are typically responsible for watering during establishment, and Metro retains ownership and pruning authority over right-of-way trees. Free or subsidized trees are sometimes available through Root Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact partnerships.
Unauthorized parkway planting can trigger removal at the property owner's expense and a citation under Metro right-of-way encroachment rules. Improper species near power lines may be re-pruned aggressively or removed by NES.
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See how Nashville's parkway planting rules stack up against other locations.
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