Tree Pruning & Memorial Tree Rules - Salt Lake City

Parks and Public Spaces Utah 4 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah residents who prune trees or request memorial plantings must follow municipal rules for parks, public rights-of-way, and street trees. This guide explains who enforces tree work, how to apply for memorial trees, common permit and maintenance rules, and the steps to appeal decisions or report unsafe pruning. It combines the city’s official memorial program and municipal code references so property owners and volunteer crews can act lawfully and avoid penalties.

Overview of Rules

Public trees in parks and the public right-of-way are usually managed by the City Parks & Public Lands division or other designated city departments. Private property owners are responsible for on-site trees but must not unlawfully prune or remove trees that affect public infrastructure or violate city ordinances. For program details and memorial tree options, consult the city memorials page and municipal code.[1][2]

Contact the Parks & Public Lands office before planting or pruning public trees.

Penalties & Enforcement

The city enforces tree, park, and right-of-way regulations through designated departments and code enforcement processes. Specific fines, escalation, and non-monetary remedies depend on the applicable ordinance or park policy cited by the enforcing office.

  • Enforcer: Parks & Public Lands and City Code Enforcement investigate and act on violations; official contacts and complaint forms are available from the Parks office.[3]
  • Monetary fines: amounts are not specified on the cited page for all tree violations and may be set by code sections or administrative rules; see the municipal code for specific offense schedules.[2]
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures depend on the ordinance; exact escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.[2]
  • Non-monetary sanctions: restoration orders, stop-work orders, removal/replacement requirements, and court action may be imposed under city code or park policy.[2]
  • Inspection and complaints: residents should report unsafe or unauthorized tree work to Parks & Public Lands via the official contact page; inspectors document violations and issue notices.[3]
If you receive a notice, follow the listed remediation steps promptly to avoid escalation.

Applications & Forms

Memorial tree or bench requests typically use the Parks memorials application process; the Parks memorials page lists program details and how to request a memorial planting or bench. If a formal municipal permit or application is required for right-of-way pruning or removal, the municipal code or department pages indicate the form name and submission steps; specific form numbers and fees are not specified on the cited pages.[1][2]

Practical Steps for Residents

  • Before pruning, confirm whether the tree is on private property, the public right-of-way, or in a park.
  • Contact Parks & Public Lands for guidance and to request memorial plantings or city-managed work.[3]
  • If work affects public infrastructure, obtain required permits or hire an approved contractor.
  • Document pre-work conditions with photos and keep records of permits, approvals, and communications.

Common Violations

  • Unauthorized removal of public or street trees.
  • Pruning that damages health of protected or landmark trees.
  • Planting incompatible memorials or installing benches without approval.

FAQ

Can I prune a tree that overhangs the sidewalk?
Private owners may trim branches that encroach from their property, but work that affects the public right-of-way or public trees must follow city rules; contact Parks & Public Lands for confirmation.[3]
How do I request a memorial tree in a city park?
Use the City Parks memorials program request process as described on the Parks memorials page; program terms, placement rules, and maintenance policies are listed there.[1]
What happens if someone illegally cuts down a street tree?
The city may require replacement, assess fines, and pursue enforcement under the municipal code; exact penalties depend on the code section applied and are not fully specified on the cited page.[2]

How-To

  1. Identify whether the tree is private, in the public right-of-way, or in a city park.
  2. Contact Parks & Public Lands for park trees or the city department listed in the municipal code for right-of-way trees to confirm rules and permit needs.[3]
  3. If a memorial is desired, submit the memorial request per the Parks memorials page instructions and provide required donor information and text for plaques if applicable.[1]
  4. If approved, follow any planting, payment, or maintenance terms and obtain copies of approvals and receipts.
  5. If you disagree with a decision or receive a violation notice, follow the appeal instructions on the notice or contact the enforcing department to request review within the stated time limits; if not specified on the notice, ask the enforcing office for the appeal deadline and procedure.[2]

Key Takeaways

  • Ask the Parks office before planting or pruning public trees to avoid violations.
  • Keep records of approvals, permits, and communications related to memorials or street-tree work.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Salt Lake City Parks & Public Lands - Memorials and dedications
  2. [2] Salt Lake City Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances
  3. [3] City of Salt Lake City Parks & Public Lands - Contact and service requests

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