If you’re thinking about removing a tree in Salt Lake City, the first thing to figure out is whether it’s a City (public) tree or a private tree. That one detail changes everything.

Here’s the rule that catches people: Salt Lake City code says it’s unlawful to plant, prune, or remove any public tree without first obtaining a permit from the City (Department of Public Lands).

So if you skip the ownership check and just hire a crew to take it down, you can create a permit problem fast.

Salt Lake City Tree Removal Permit Guide – Step by Step

Step 1: Is it a public tree or a private tree?

A lot of homeowners assume, “It’s in front of my house, I water it, so it’s mine.” Salt Lake City doesn’t treat it that way if it’s in the park strip / street-side right-of-way / park area.

Salt Lake City Urban Forestry is clear that park strip trees are City-owned and they ask people not to alter them.

Practical check:

• If it’s between the sidewalk and curb (the park strip), treat it as a public tree until the City confirms otherwise.
• If it’s fully inside your property line (like a backyard tree), it’s more likely private, but there are still cases where development rules apply (more on that later).

When you’re unsure, the smartest move is to contact Urban Forestry with the address and ask who owns the tree before you schedule removal.

Step 2: When do you need a permit in Salt Lake City?

You generally need a permit when the tree is public

If the tree is a public tree, Salt Lake City requires a permit for planting, pruning, or removing it.

This includes street trees and park strip trees. And the code is written in a way that covers more than just removal—pruning counts too.

You may need permits or approvals when construction is involved (even beyond the park strip)

Salt Lake City also puts a lot of emphasis on protecting public trees during construction, even for smaller projects. Their construction guidance is basically: if you’re digging, grading, demo’ing, or landscaping near City trees, you’re expected to follow protection requirements and coordinate.

And if you’re in a bigger project workflow (planning/building review), the City has a detailed plan review policy that expects things like a tree inventory and clear “remove vs preserve” status, plus irrigation and protection measures.

Step 3: The common situations people get wrong

“The tree is lifting my sidewalk, so the City has to remove it”

This is one of the biggest misunderstandings.

Salt Lake City says they generally will not remove trees solely because roots are lifting curb/sidewalk or interacting with sewer lines, and they treat sidewalk and utility replacement as the property owner’s responsibility.

They also say removal is typically a last resort and that reasonable mitigation attempts should happen before removal is even considered for an otherwise healthy tree.

Translation: if your goal is removal because of hardscape/utility conflict, you may still be dealing with a permit review where the City expects you to show that alternatives were tried.

“It’s an emergency, so permits don’t matter”

Emergencies change the timeline, but they don’t magically remove the City’s authority over public trees. If a tree is actively dangerous, you still want City involvement documented, especially if it’s in the public right-of-way.

The safest approach is: call emergency services when needed, then coordinate with Urban Forestry as soon as practical so you’re not guessing.

“I’m just pruning it a little”

If it’s a public tree, pruning is included in the permit requirement.

This matters because “a little” pruning can turn into structural damage, clearance problems, or long-term decline if it’s done wrong.

Step 4: What the permit process looks like (real-world version)

Salt Lake City’s ordinance puts the authority with the City and says you need a permit for removing public trees.

In practice, you should expect something like this:

1. Confirm ownership/location (public vs private).
2. Explain why removal is needed (hazard, decline, conflict, construction footprint, etc.).
3. Submit the permit request through the City’s process for public tree work (Urban Forestry / Department of Public Lands).
4. Follow permit conditions if approved—this is where replacement/mitigation can show up.

Fees and cost expectations

The City references permits and fees through their consolidated fee schedule.

Fee schedules can change, so always confirm the current amount at time of application, but the bigger “cost” people don’t plan for is mitigation.

Step 5: Mitigation and replacement (what people don’t budget for)

Salt Lake City code allows the City to require compensation for removal of public trees, either through replacement or monetary assessment.

And the City has a mitigation policy that explains that, as a condition of a removal permit, you may have to compensate the City for the value of the tree removed.

So even if you’re paying a contractor to remove the tree, there can be a separate City-driven requirement tied to replacement value or fees.

Step 6: Construction and landscaping near City trees (this is where crews get in trouble)

If you’re doing any kind of work near City trees—driveway replacement, utility trenching, full remodel, teardown rebuild, park strip xeriscape—Salt Lake City expects tree protection.

Their construction resources call out that code requires protecting public trees during construction and they provide guidelines to prevent damage and comply.

Here are the requirements that matter most in the field:

Tree protection fencing and “don’t touch” zones

Salt Lake City’s Tree Protection and Preservation Policy goes into specifics, including requiring tree protection fencing and maintaining it until inspection/approval to remove it.
It also states that a lot of the damage happens below ground—roots get cut, soil gets compacted, or equipment drives over the root zone.

Irrigation during construction (yes, even if nobody wants to deal with it)

This is a detail most contractors miss: the policy states all public and private property trees must be irrigated throughout demolition and construction at a minimum of 20 gallons twice weekly.

That’s not a vague suggestion. It’s a stated minimum.

If you’re preserving a tree anywhere near a jobsite, that irrigation plan and execution can be the difference between “tree survives” and “tree declines, then somebody gets blamed.”

Step 7: What happens if you remove or damage trees without authority

There are two layers here:

1. City enforcement / permit issues for public trees (work done without permits can create penalties and mitigation costs).
2. Utah civil liability if someone cuts down or injures trees without lawful authority.

Utah law says that a person who, without authority, willfully cuts down or injures a tree on another person’s land—or on public grounds like streets/commons—can be liable for triple the amount of damages assessed in a civil action.

That’s why “I thought it was mine” isn’t a great plan. Ownership and permission matter.

Step 8: A simple checklist before you schedule tree removal

:Use this simple Salt Lake City tree removal permit guide checklist before you remove a tree on public land:

• Where is the trunk located? Park strip / sidewalk edge / inside fence line / backyard.
• Is it a public tree? If yes: plan on a permit for pruning/removal.
• Why is it being removed? Hazard, decline, construction footprint, conflict, etc.
• Is there construction involved? If yes: plan for protection, fencing, and irrigation requirements.
• Are you budgeting for mitigation? Public tree removals can come with replacement/compensation conditions.
• Are you sure you’re authorized? Utah law can allow treble damages for unauthorized cutting/injury.

How Diamond Tree Experts can help

This is exactly the kind of situation where homeowners get stuck. They know they want the tree handled, but they don’t want to guess wrong on permits, ownership, or what the City is going to require.

Here’s what we do at Diamond Tree Experts:

• Help you identify whether the tree is likely a public tree or private tree based on location and site layout, so you start in the right lane.
• Document the tree condition with photos and clear notes (decline, defects, structural risk, conflicts), so the permit conversation is grounded in facts.
• Handle removal safely and cleanly when removal is authorized, and coordinate around jobsite realities (access, utilities, proximity to sidewalks/roads).
• If your project involves construction, we can help you avoid the common “root damage + compaction” mistakes that trigger issues later, and we can align the work with Salt Lake City’s protection expectations.

If you’re in Salt Lake City and you’re looking at a park strip tree (or you’re not sure), the fastest way to avoid headaches is to start with the ownership/permit question and work forward from there.