Salt Lake City Code Title 15.16 Urban Forestry requires a permit from the Urban Forestry Division before removing, pruning, or planting any tree in the public right-of-way, park strip, or city park, with replacement and bonding requirements.
Under SLC Code Title 15.16, all public trees, including street trees and park-strip trees in front of private homes, are managed by the Urban Forestry Division. Property owners and contractors must obtain a permit before removing, topping, or substantially pruning these trees, and unauthorized cuts are subject to appraised-value restitution. Acceptable contractors must be on the city's approved list. The ordinance supports the city's Urban Forest Action Plan, which targets equitable canopy across neighborhoods. Urban forestry is paired with watering programs because Wasatch drought stresses street trees.
Unpermitted removal of a public tree triggers fines plus restitution at the appraised value of the lost tree, often thousands of dollars per mature specimen. Restitution funds replanting in underserved neighborhoods.
Salt Lake City, UT
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