A City permit is required to plant, remove, or destroy any street tree in Lincoln's public parkway or right-of-way. Trees on private property generally need no permit, and commercial tree work requires a licensed arborist.
Lincoln Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 protects public street trees. A person who wants to plant, remove, or destroy a street tree in a street, parkway, sidewalk space, or other public way must first make written application to the Director, and removal must be approved by the Urban Forester (LMC 12.20.040 and 12.20.050). Private residential trees are not permit-regulated unless a special zoning or landscape overlay applies. Anyone doing tree work for hire within the City must hold an arborist license under LMC Chapter 5.06. In unincorporated Lancaster County there is no county tree-removal permit for private land.
Removing or damaging a public street tree without a permit is a municipal violation; the Urban Forester may require replacement and unlicensed commercial tree work is separately punishable.
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See how Lancaster County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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