Under Portland Code Ch. 29 Sec. 29-18, planting any tree in a street, park, or public place — including the parkway strip between curb and sidewalk — requires a permit from the City Arborist, and species must be selected from the City's recommended/approved street tree list.
Sec. 29-18 of Chapter 29 expressly includes 'plant' among the activities requiring a prior permit on public land. Property owners or community groups wishing to plant a tree in the public right-of-way (the parkway strip / tree lawn) must apply to the City Arborist, who reviews the proposed location for utility conflicts, sight-distance, sidewalk clearance, and species suitability. The City of Portland Recommended Tree List, maintained by the Forestry Division, specifies which species are appropriate for street planting based on overhead-wire clearance, planting-strip width, salt tolerance (important for coastal Portland), and Casco Bay climate hardiness. The Re-Forest the City program, run by neighborhood associations such as WENA in partnership with the City Arborist, supplies and plants approved street trees at reduced cost. Volunteer plantings must still secure the Sec. 29-18 permit. Post-planting, the City Arborist holds maintenance responsibility for public-right-of-way trees but may share pruning and watering duties with adjacent property owners.
Planting in the public right-of-way without a Sec. 29-18 permit, or planting a non-approved species, is a violation of Chapter 29 punishable under Sec. 1-15 by a fine of $100–$500 per offense (each day a separate violation). The City may also require the unauthorized tree to be removed or replaced at the owner's expense.
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