Pompano Beach, FL Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

35 of the City Code, titled Building or Obstruction on Public Streets, Sidewalks, and Right-of-Way Swale Areas; Pedestrian Median Safety, governs what can go into the parkway strip between the roadway and private property. Division (G) specifically addresses street trees: they must be planted in accordance with the city's landscaping requirements in the Zoning Code, may not sit on top of or within five feet of any existing city utility line including individual services, and must be maintained so drivers keep a clear, unobstructed vertical sight window between two feet and eight-foot-four-inches above the edge of the public roadway.

A young tree of a species that will eventually need that sight window, but isn't mature enough yet to require pruning to it, is not treated as a violation. Division (H) adds that non-tree landscaping in single-family swale areas is capped at six inches high within six feet of the roadway edge and 18 inches beyond that, and the City Engineer must approve materials and design to confirm no interference with visibility, utilities, drainage or planned sidewalk work. Division (I) lets the City Manager grant exemptions for trees and landscaping in the swale, but only after a written request with photos or renderings and City Engineer review, and any items placed under a license agreement must be removed at the city's discretion or when the property changes hands.

Under division (I)(3), the city or an adjacent owner may be ordered to remove non-conforming landscaping on 30 days' written notice at the owner's expense when utility or sidewalk work requires it, and the city is not obligated to replace anything it removes.