Oklahoma City, OK Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before planting on any public property
- Enforcing agency
- Parks and Recreation Department (enforcement officer)
- Banned species
- Black locust, seed-bearing female cottonwood
- Owner duty
- Trim parkway vegetation blocking sidewalks or lights
Summary
Oklahoma City requires a permit before anyone plants a tree, plant, or shrub on public property, including the parkway strip between the sidewalk and street, with species and location subject to city approval.
No tree, plant, or shrub shall be planted on any public property by any person until the enforcement officer shall have first approved the kind and variety and designated the location and granted a permit for planting.
(Code 1970, § 21-158; Code 1980, § 53-2)
State Law reference— Authority of abutting property owners relative to trees on public property, 11 O.S. § 36-107.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Before planting any tree, plant, or shrub on public property, including the parkway between the curb and sidewalk, City Code § 53-2 requires written approval from the enforcement officer (the Parks and Recreation Department), which designates the exact location and approves the species. Certain species are banned outright: § 53-5 prohibits planting black locust or seed-bearing female cottonwood trees anywhere in the city to protect public health, though male non-seed-bearing cottonwoods are allowed. Adjacent property owners must also trim and maintain any vegetation growing in the parkway or parking strip under § 53-21, keeping it clear of sidewalks, streets, and streetlights.
Violations & Fines
Removing, trimming, or damaging a tree on public property without a permit is a code violation; failing to trim required vegetation after notice is a separate daily offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a tree in the parkway strip in front of my Oklahoma City home?
Which trees are banned from OKC parkways?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oklahoma City
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle parkway planting.