Southampton, NY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Town Code § 292-42, in the Subdivision of Land chapter enforced by the Planning Board, requires street trees in all subdivisions in the Town of Southampton outside the villages unless adequate trees already in their proper locations are left standing and healthy. The Board may waive planting entirely where native woodlands and understory plants are a desirable part of the localized landscape and formal street trees would be an alien intrusion into that setting, a call the Planning Board makes case by case during subdivision review.

Where trees are required, § 292-42B demands nursery stock of an approved species grown under the same climatic conditions as the development site, of symmetrical growth, free of insect pests and disease, suitable for street use and durable under the maintenance contemplated. Section 292-42C sets a minimum average trunk diameter of two to three inches measured six feet above finished grade, scaled to good practice for the particular species. Section 292-42D fixes spacing at 40 to 60 feet apart along both sides of the street, located within the right-of-way, with the exact distance from the property line set by the Planning Board depending on species and lot-line locations.

Section 292-42E adds that where unique natural landscapes exist, the Board can require a limit-of-clearing line, recommended by the Natural Resources Director, so the right-of-way is not cleared across the entire distance between property lines. These planting terms were added and amended by Local Law No. 4-1992 (adopted 3-10-1992). A violation of Chapter 292, which includes the street tree standard, exposes the property owner, any knowingly participating contract vendee or grantee, and any agent who filed the application, to prosecution under § 292-45.