Denver Street Tree Planting Bylaw & Credits

Land Use and Zoning Colorado 3 Minutes Read · published February 07, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Denver, Colorado requires street tree planting and maintenance rules administered by the city’s Urban Forestry and Public Works programs. This guide explains who regulates street trees in the public right-of-way, how planting and credit systems work, required permits, common compliance issues, and steps to apply or appeal. It summarizes official sources and practical actions for property owners, developers, and contractors working on or near the street tree zone.

Who Regulates Street Trees

The City and County of Denver’s Urban Forestry program in Denver Parks & Recreation is the primary enforcer for street-tree planting, care, and removal in the public right-of-way. For permits affecting the right-of-way, Denver Public Works issues permits and regulates work around street trees[1].

Contact Urban Forestry before planting in the public right-of-way.

Planting Requirements and Credits

Planting in the public right-of-way typically requires review for species selection, planting location relative to utilities and pavement, and tree spacing standards set by Urban Forestry. Developers may be eligible for tree credits where site conditions or existing canopy affect required planting; specific credit calculations and documentation requirements are provided by the city on official pages[2].

  • Species and size standards: city approves species lists and minimum caliper for plantings.
  • Placement and spacing: mayoral or departmental guidelines determine distances from curbs, sidewalks and utilities.
  • Tree credits: may offset planting requirements when retention or on-site planting is infeasible.
  • Maintenance obligations: property owners or contractors often responsible for establishment watering and protection periods.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of street-tree rules is carried out by Denver Urban Forestry (Parks & Recreation) and may involve Public Works when permits or right-of-way impacts are implicated. The official pages list enforcement authorities and complaint submission pathways[1]. Specific monetary fines and escalation schedules are not stated on the cited Urban Forestry pages and must be confirmed with the enforcing office or the municipal code[3].

  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first/repeat/continuing offence procedure not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal orders, restoration orders, stop-work directives, or civil actions may be used per departmental authority.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Denver Urban Forestry handles inspections and complaints; the city’s right-of-way permitting unit handles permit violations[1].
  • Appeals/review: specific administrative appeal routes and time limits are not specified on the Urban Forestry pages and should be confirmed with the enforcing office or municipal code[3].
If you damage a street tree, report it immediately to Urban Forestry to reduce liability risk.

Applications & Forms

Permit paths commonly used for street-tree work include a city Right-of-Way permit for excavation or planting in the public strip; Urban Forestry provides guidance and may require plan submittal. Exact form names, numbers, fees, and submission portals are listed on Denver Public Works and Urban Forestry pages[1][2]. If a specific form number is required, it is not specified on the cited Urban Forestry summary pages.

Common Violations

  • Removing or pruning a public right-of-way tree without approval.
  • Excavation too close to root zones without a right-of-way permit.
  • Planting prohibited species or planting too close to infrastructure.
Document approvals and photos before and after work to support permit compliance.

How-To

  1. Identify whether the planting site is in the public right-of-way or private property.
  2. Consult Denver Urban Forestry species and spacing guidance.
  3. Obtain any required Right-of-Way permit from Denver Public Works before starting work.
  4. Use approved planting details and protections during installation.
  5. Schedule or allow city inspection if required and retain documentation of approvals.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to plant a tree in the street strip?
Yes if the planting is in the public right-of-way; consult Urban Forestry and the Right-of-Way permit guidance for requirements and application steps.[1]
Can I get credit instead of planting on-site?
Tree credits may be available depending on the project and site constraints; the city explains credit criteria on its official pages.[2]
Who do I call to report damage to a street tree?
Contact Denver Urban Forestry via the department contact or the city’s report-a-concern portal listed on the Urban Forestry page.[1]

Key Takeaways

  • Always verify whether a site is in the public right-of-way before planting.
  • Obtain required permits and follow Urban Forestry species and spacing guidelines.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Denver Urban Forestry - Street tree planting and program information
  2. [2] City of Denver Public Works - Permits and right-of-way guidance
  3. [3] Revised Code of the City and County of Denver (municipal code)

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data