Tree Removal Permit in Minneapolis, MN
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Tree Removal Permit?
Exemptions
The City is still creating its proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance, so that proposal is not a current citywide permit requirement for ordinary private-tree removal. Existing rules still apply. In the MR Overlay District, maintenance of existing landscaping, City-determined emergency vegetation removal, qualifying right-of-way maintenance, and qualifying selective removal may proceed without a vegetation permit; qualifying selective removal includes dead, diseased, infested, dying, or hazardous vegetation, pest-control removal, individual trees and shrubs, and invasive non-native species, provided required vegetative cover is maintained. Public boulevard trees remain under MPRB control.
Protected Trees & Removal Eligibility
Protected Tree Rules
Public boulevard and park trees are controlled by MPRB. On private property, dead or hazardous trees may be condemned by the City, while diseased or infested ash, elm, and oak trees may be inspected and condemned through MPRB programs. The MR and Shoreland overlay districts impose location-based vegetation protections. Minneapolis is still developing a broader Tree Preservation Ordinance for construction impacts, so that proposed ordinance is not yet a current citywide protected-tree removal regime.
When Removal Is Allowed
MPRB removes boulevard trees that are dead or dying, structurally hazardous, infested by an invasive species such as emerald ash borer, or affected by disease such as Dutch elm disease. It also accepts removal requests for circumstances such as certain construction projects, sewer-line repair conflicts, replaceable ash trees, or excessive ginkgo fruit, but MPRB makes the final decision and lists several reasons it will not approve removal. In the MR Overlay District, intensive vegetation clearing is allowed by vegetation permit only for specified purposes such as removing hazardous, diseased, infested, or invasive vegetation, restoration work, or the minimum clearing necessary for allowed development; other intensive clearing is prohibited.
Replacement Requirements
Replacement Rules
When MPRB removes a boulevard tree, it generally places the location on a replanting list unless the site is unsuitable. For an approved requester-initiated boulevard-tree removal, the requester may have to pay to replant elsewhere if replacement cannot occur at the same location. In the MR Overlay District, permitted vegetation removal requires a vegetation restoration plan and reestablishment of natural vegetation. Removed vegetation must be restored with native vegetation to the greatest extent practicable, with the restored area and number of trees similar to what was removed to the greatest extent practicable, and the plan must include three years of invasive-species control and replacement of plant loss.
Arborist & Professional Requirements
Professional Requirements
Commercial tree servicing in Minneapolis is licensed under Chapter 347. The licensing definition covers felling, grinding, chipping, cutting, trimming, removal, or hauling of trees or tree parts two inches or more in diameter at the point of cutting or contact, plus pesticide application. Residents or owners of the subject property are excluded from the tree-servicing license requirement when solely removing or hauling away trees or tree parts. A licensed tree servicer must employ or contract with a designated individual who has current ISA arborist certification or a qualifying postsecondary degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, or an equivalent field. An MR Overlay vegetation restoration plan may be prepared by a qualified ecologist, arborist, landscape architect, or another person with demonstrable vegetation-management experience and knowledge.
Public Notice Requirements
Notice Rules
For scheduled boulevard-tree removals, MPRB marks the tree and leaves an information tag at the front door of the adjacent home explaining why the tree was marked. Emerald-ash-borer and Dutch-elm-disease trees marked with a paint ring remain marked for five days before removal proceeds as soon as possible. For condemned private diseased or infested trees, MPRB marks the tree, leaves a door hanger, and sends the property owner a detailed notice letter with removal options and deadlines.
Emergency Tree Removal
In the MR Overlay District, vegetation removal in an emergency situation as determined by the City is allowed without a vegetation permit. For dangerous public or boulevard trees, MPRB directs residents to report the condition to Forestry rather than remove the tree independently. Private-property owners remain responsible for private storm debris and tree work, subject to any applicable condemnation, zoning, contractor-licensing, and disposal requirements.
Development & Special Areas
Development-Related Rules
Tree removal connected to development can trigger additional controls. MPRB identifies construction projects such as a new driveway apron as a possible reason to request boulevard-tree removal, but MPRB retains the final decision. In the MR Overlay District, permitted intensive vegetation clearing for development is limited to the minimum necessary for development allowed with a building permit or applicable exemption and must meet performance standards plus restoration-plan requirements. In the Shoreland Overlay District, clear cutting is prohibited except as necessary for approved development, subject to the overlay and development standards. The City's proposed broader Tree Preservation Ordinance for construction is still being developed and is not yet in effect.
Special Zone Rules
In the MR Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District, vegetation rules apply in shore impact zones, within 50 feet of a wetland or natural drainage route, in bluff impact zones, in native plant communities, and in significant existing vegetative stands identified in the MRCCA Plan. Qualifying selective removal can occur without a vegetation permit if vegetative cover remains consistent with the district purpose, while specified intensive clearing requires a vegetation permit and restoration plan and other intensive clearing is prohibited. In the SH Shoreland Overlay District, vegetation removal on steep slopes or bluffs, within 40 feet of the top of a steep slope or bluff, or within 50 feet of the ordinary high water mark of protected water is prohibited except as authorized by the zoning administrator under the code conditions; noxious weeds and dead or diseased vegetation are excepted from the clear-cutting prohibition.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
First determine whether the tree is on private property or is a public boulevard or park tree. Do not independently remove a boulevard tree; request removal from MPRB Forestry, which makes the final decision. Private-property owners are generally responsible for their trees but must comply with City or MPRB condemnation orders for dead, hazardous, diseased, or infested trees. Tree work in the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area or Shoreland overlay districts may require zoning authorization or a vegetation permit, and commercial tree-service providers are subject to City licensing rules.
Required Documents
MPRB does not publish a standard document packet for a boulevard-tree removal request; requests are made to Forestry by phone or email. For an MR Overlay District permit or other discretionary action, the zoning code calls for a detailed project description and, unless waived by the zoning administrator, scaled maps or plans showing relevant conservation areas, topography and drainage, stormwater and erosion controls, existing and proposed vegetation to be removed or established, water and bluff features and setbacks, structures, impervious surfaces, and other site information. A vegetation restoration plan is required for vegetation removal that requires an MR vegetation permit.