Twin Falls, ID Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Planting on public ground in the City of Twin Falls is controlled by permit, species, and size. Under § 8-4-4-1(A)(3), adjacent property owners must meet all requirements and obtain all permits necessary for any tree planting on public property, as required in § 8-4-6. Section 8-4-6(A) adds that nobody can prune or otherwise disturb a public tree, attach an object to one, or dig, trench, excavate, or pile soil within its critical root zone without first notifying the Twin Falls parks and recreation department at least two (2) business days ahead. Tree permits are available at the parks and recreation office at 136 Maxwell Avenue, 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

The numeric standards sit in two sections. Replacement trees under § 8-4-7(E) must be an approved variety from the "Twin Falls Tree Selection Guide," at least a ten (10) gallon size specimen, and a class I type tree with a mature height not greater than 20 feet wherever utility lines are present. The replacement must be planted within thirty (30) days of removal, or as soon as weather conditions allow. Section 8-4-8(D) makes it unlawful to plant, transplant, or set out any poplar (cottonwood) or willow tree on any street, alley, avenue, sidewalk, or other public place, or within fifty feet (50') of any sidewalk, paved street, alley, or avenue, or on private property within seventy five feet (75') of any main or lateral sewer.

The parkway strip is covered by the definition of "street tree" in § 8-4-3: a tree on a public right of way between the private property line and the curb or edge of pavement adjacent to a city street, alley, avenue, boulevard, or public right of way in street medians. For public trees planted after July 1, 2004, § 8-4-4-1(B) requires adjacent owners to prune and maintain them according to ANSI A300, control pests, and provide water sufficient to keep them healthy, and it bars topping, heading, shearing, or rounding over. If poplar or willow roots obstruct or are about to obstruct a sewer line, curb, gutter, sidewalk, or street, the owner of the private property has ten (10) days from service of notice to remove the encroachment under § 8-4-8(E).