Salt Lake City, UT Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Specimen tree threshold
- over 10 inches dbh
- Preservation standard
- maximum extent practicable
- Replacement rate
- 2 caliper in. per dbh in. removed
- Alternative
- cash-in-lieu to city tree fund
- Civil fine
- $50-$200 per day, per violation
Summary
Salt Lake City requires new development to preserve 'specimen trees', sound, healthy trees over 10 inches in trunk diameter, and replace or pay into the city's tree fund when the city forester allows removal.
Preservation of Specimen Trees: Specimen trees shall be preserved to the maximum extent practicable as determined by the city forester, in consultation with the zoning administrator, unless exempted pursuant to Subsection C, "Exemptions", of this section.
a. In determining if preservation is impracticable, the city shall consider the following criteria, including, but not limited to:
(1) Whether an alternative location or configuration of the development including elements such as parking or structures on the site would be feasible to accomplish tree preservation, without negatively impacting adjacent properties,
(2) Whether preservation of the specimen tree would render all permitted development on the property infeasible, or
(3) If development of the property will provide significant community benefits that outweigh tree preservation.
b. The zoning administrator may modify any dimensional standard, such as setbacks and height limits, by up to 20% if such modification will result in preservation of a specimen tree.
2. Cutting, Removal, or Damage Prohibited: Specimen trees, required to be preserved, shall not be cut, removed, pushed over, killed, or otherwise damaged.
3. Paving, Fill, Excavation, or Soil Compaction Prohibited: The tree protection zone of any protected specimen tree shall not be subjected to paving, filling, excavation, or soil compaction.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Salt Lake City Code § 21A.48.090 applies to new development citywide. Trees or tree groupings with an individual or combined diameter at breast height (dbh) over 10 inches qualify as 'specimen trees' and must be preserved to the maximum extent practicable, as determined by the city forester with the zoning administrator. Nine exemptions exist (dead/diseased trees, single-family home construction, driveway visibility clearance, airport operations, utility conflicts, etc.). Where removal is unavoidable, developers must plant 2 caliper inches of replacement trees for every dbh inch removed, or pay cash in lieu into the city's tree fund. The zoning administrator may also relax setback or height standards by up to 20% to save a specimen tree.
Violations & Fines
Cutting, removing, pushing over, killing, or damaging a protected specimen tree, or compacting/paving/excavating its protection zone, violates § 21A.48.090. Title 21A civil enforcement (§ 21A.20.040) applies: fines accrue at $50/day per violation on residential property and $200/day on non-residential property until corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree a protected 'specimen tree' in Salt Lake City?
Can I remove a specimen tree when I build on my lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
Compare Salt Lake City to another location·View the Utah tree protection overview
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