New South Memphis Tree Planting & Removal Bylaws
New South Memphis, Tennessee relies on the City of Memphis Urban Forestry policies and the municipal code to manage street trees, planting standards, and permitted removals. This guide summarizes standards, who enforces them, how to apply for work or appeal decisions, and common compliance steps for residents and contractors. Where specific penalties or fees are not published on the municipal pages, this article notes that the amount is not specified on the cited page and points to the responsible department for confirmation.[1][2]
Standards for Tree Planting
Planting on public property, in the right-of-way, or affecting city-owned trees typically follows minimum standards for species selection, planting distance from utilities and sidewalks, and required planting techniques. Street tree plantings often must be approved by the Urban Forestry division before work begins.
- Planting approvals: contact Urban Forestry for approved species lists and spacing guidance.[1]
- Work near utilities: follow utility clearance standards and call 811 before digging.
- Planting technique: use root-collar-level planting, mulch properly, and avoid deep planting.
Tree Removal Rules
Removal of trees on private property generally differs from removal of street or city-owned trees. For public trees and trees affecting sidewalks or city infrastructure, removal usually requires a permit or written authorization from Urban Forestry. Emergency removals for immediate hazards should be reported to the city.
- Permits: check with Urban Forestry before removing trees in the public right-of-way.[1]
- Emergency removals: contact the city duty line for hazardous trees.
- Protected trees: some large-caliper or historic trees may have protections documented by the city or by special agreement.
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement of tree planting and removal rules is carried out by the City of Memphis Urban Forestry division and related municipal enforcement offices. The municipal code or Urban Forestry pages are the controlling sources for legal requirements; where the code lists specific fines or escalation it is cited below, otherwise the article states that the amount is not specified on the cited page.
- Enforcer: City of Memphis Urban Forestry for trees and the City Code enforcement units for violations; contact via the Urban Forestry page.[1]
- Fines: specific fine amounts for unlawful removal or damage are not specified on the cited Urban Forestry page and are not itemized on the general code landing page; specific amounts are not specified on the cited page.[1][2]
- Escalation: the municipal code or departmental rules may provide for first offence, repeat, and continuing violation treatment; where the code text is not explicit on the public pages, escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.[2]
- Non-monetary sanctions: city orders to replace or replant trees, stop-work orders, administrative orders, and referral to municipal court or civil actions are enforcement tools used by municipalities.
- Inspection & complaints: report unsafe or unauthorized tree work to Urban Forestry via the official contact channel listed below.[1]
- Appeals & review: appeal routes and time limits are determined by the cited municipal procedures; specific appeal time limits are not specified on the cited Urban Forestry page or the code landing page where a consolidated appeals schedule is absent.[1][2]
Applications & Forms
The Urban Forestry page is the first stop for permits and forms; as of the cited city pages there is no single, clearly labeled downloadable tree-removal permit form published in the general overview, and specific application names or fees are not specified on the cited page. For formal permits, request the current application and fee schedule from Urban Forestry.[1]
Common Violations (and typical responses)
- Unauthorized public tree removal: city order to remediate and possible fines.
- Damage from construction: requirement to replace or mitigate, plus possible stop-work orders.
- Failure to obtain right-of-way approval: administrative penalties and permit denial.
Action Steps
- Confirm tree ownership (private vs city) and contact Urban Forestry for guidance.[1]
- Request any required permits before work begins and obtain written approval.
- If cited, ask the enforcement officer for the exact fine schedule and appeal deadlines in writing.
FAQ
- Do I need a permit to remove a tree in the right-of-way?
- Yes for most public right-of-way trees; contact Urban Forestry to confirm whether a permit or written authorization is required.[1]
- How do I report a hazardous tree?
- Report hazardous or fallen trees to the City of Memphis Urban Forestry emergency contact listed on the official site.[1]
- What are the fines for unlawful removal?
- Specific fine amounts and escalation are not specified on the cited city pages and must be confirmed with the enforcement office or the municipal code.[2]
How-To
- Identify whether the tree is city-owned or private by checking property lines and city records.
- Contact City of Memphis Urban Forestry to request guidance and check if a permit is required.[1]
- If a permit is required, obtain the application from Urban Forestry and submit any required fee and documentation.
- Complete the approved work using a licensed arborist and follow the city planting or removal specifications.
- If cited, follow the enforcement notice instructions and appeal within the stated timeframe or request the appeal schedule in writing.
Key Takeaways
- Always check with Urban Forestry before altering trees in the right-of-way.
- Keep records of permits, approvals, and communications to avoid enforcement issues.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Memphis Urban Forestry - contact and services
- Memphis Code of Ordinances (Municode)
- City of Memphis Public Works