Eagan, MN Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Eagan is recognized as a Tree City USA community (38 years) and maintains an active Forestry Division focused on preserving its urban forest. The City's tree preservation requirements are administered through the zoning code's performance standards, located at City Code Section 11.70 in Chapter 11 (Land Use Regulations). These standards are triggered by development activity, grading, subdivision and new construction, rather than by routine homeowner maintenance. At the time of a specific development application, the applicant must submit a tree inventory, preserve healthy trees to the greatest extent possible, and provide mitigation or replacement, if any, in accordance with City Code standards. Because the requirement is tied to land alteration, developers must plan site layout around tree preservation early to limit mitigation obligations. For established residential lots, Eagan does not publish a permit requirement for an individual homeowner to remove a tree, and the City does not require removal of diseased trees such as EAB-infested ash on private property. Any company performing tree removal in Eagan must hold a Tree Maintenance Contractor License renewed annually through the City Clerk. The Forestry Division offers free tree-health consultations and provides resources on buckthorn, storm damage and shade-tree management. Trees in the public right-of-way (roughly 10 to 12 feet from the curb) are removed and managed by the City, not the adjacent owner. Residents planning any development or grading should confirm tree preservation obligations with Community Development before removing trees.