Portland, OR Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Planting rate
- 1 tree per 25 ft frontage
- Small-project exemption
- under $25,000 in value
- Cost cap
- 10% of development value
- Alternative
- fee in lieu of planting
- Sets species/location
- City Administrator (Urban Forestry)
Summary
Portland requires new development and street-improvement projects to plant one street tree for every 25 feet of frontage in the public right-of-way, reviewed under City Code Title 11's street tree planting standards.
One street tree must be planted or retained for each full increment of 25 linear feet per side of street frontage. When the required number of trees cannot be planted, a fee in lieu of planting may be required. For City projects, required trees that cannot be planted within the improvement area may be planted elsewhere on City property or in the street, instead of paying a fee in lieu of planting.
2. When new streets are being created in association with a land division, street tree planting may be deferred until the completion of the building permit on each new lot, subject to City Administrator approval.
Full Breakdown
Under Portland City Code § 11.50.060, projects fronting City-owned or -managed streets must plant one street tree per full 25-foot increment of frontage when new buildings or street improvements are proposed. Small additions, alterations, or repairs under $25,000 in project value, or work that doesn't touch sidewalks or planting areas, are exempt. Where utilities, driveways, or a planting strip narrower than three feet block planting, the site is exempt too. Street tree cost is capped at 10% of the development's value, and species and exact placement are set by the City Administrator (Urban Forestry).
Violations & Fines
When the required number of street trees can't physically be planted, the developer must instead pay a fee in lieu of planting into the Tree Planting and Preservation Fund under § 11.15.010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every home remodel in Portland require a new street tree?
What if there's no room in the planting strip for a tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle parkway planting.