Portland Code of Ordinances Chapter 29 (Vegetation) requires a permit from the City Arborist before any person may plant, prune, remove, cut, or otherwise disturb any tree growing on a street, park, or other public place — including the strip between the curb and sidewalk.
Sec. 29-18 of the Portland City Code provides that no person shall plant, spray, fertilize, prune, remove, cut or otherwise disturb above or below the ground any tree on any street, park or public place without first filing an application and obtaining a permit from the City Arborist. The City Arborist administers Chapter 29 through the Forestry Division of the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Department (212 Canco Rd, Suite A, Portland, ME 04103; 207-808-5400; trees@portlandmaine.gov). The ordinance was substantially revised effective August 13, 2020 (Order 26-20/21) to add the Heritage Tree program. Healthy trees in the public right-of-way are generally not approved for removal unless they pose a hazard, are dead/dying, or conflict with permitted public infrastructure work. The City Arborist may verbally authorize emergency removal of a tree determined to be in a hazardous condition that immediately endangers public health, safety, or welfare, without a prior written permit.
Violations of Chapter 29 are punishable under the general penalty in Portland City Code Sec. 1-15: a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $500 per offense, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense. Unpermitted work on a public tree may also trigger a written stop-work order issued by the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities or designee.
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