St. Louis manages public trees through the Forestry Division. Street trees are city property, and their removal or pruning requires authorization from the Forestry Division. On private property, tree removal is generally not regulated outside of development review. However, the city's zoning code may require tree preservation as part of site plan approval for larger projects. Dead or hazardous private trees must be maintained by the property owner.
St. Louis tree protection ordinance requires a permit to remove trees exceeding a specified trunk diameter, typically 6 to 12 inches measured at 4.5 feet above grade (DBH). Applications require an arborist assessment for larger trees. Street trees and right-of-way trees are managed by St. Louis public works and cannot be removed by residents. Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees may qualify for expedited permits. Unauthorized removal of protected trees results in significant fines and replacement requirements.
Unauthorized removal: $500 to $10,000 per tree depending on size and species. Replacement planting required at 2:1 or 3:1 ratio.
St. Louis, MO
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See how St. Louis's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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