Sioux Falls, SD Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, from parks director
- Min. curb-to-sidewalk clearance
- 5 feet
- Min. distance from curb
- 3 feet
- Spacing between trees
- 40 feet apart
- Corner lot setback
- 30 feet from corner
Summary
Sioux Falls requires a permit and sets exact spacing standards for any tree planted in the street-side parking strip between curb and sidewalk.
The director shall establish rules and regulations for the planting of trees in the public parking strip, including... No tree shall be planted where the clear space between the curb and the sidewalk is less than five feet; No tree shall be planted closer than three feet from the curb... Trees shall be planted at least 40 feet apart except where otherwise permitted by the director; Trees shall be placed at least ten feet from a fire hydrant; ...Trees on a corner lot shall be planted at least 30 feet back from the corner
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-135: Current through local ordinance 54-26, passed 7-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 94.038, no one may plant a tree in the public right-of-way parking strip without a permit, and only species from the parks director's approved list qualify unless the director allows an exception. Placement rules are numeric: at least 5 feet of clear space between curb and sidewalk, 3 feet minimum from the curb, 40 feet between trees, 10 feet from hydrants and driveways, 15 feet from streetlights, 30 feet back on corner lots, and 20 feet from stop signs or signals. Trees must be at least 1 inch in diameter measured 6 inches above ground and cannot go under power lines without director approval.
Violations & Fines
Planting without a permit or off-list species violates § 94.038; abuse or mutilation of street trees, including topping, is separately banned under § 94.039 and carries the general penalty at § 10.999.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant any tree species in the parking strip in Sioux Falls?
How close to the curb can a parkway tree go in Sioux Falls?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sioux Falls
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