Tree Removal Permit in Portland, OR
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Tree Removal Permit?
Exemptions
For ordinary non-development private property outside special zoning, preservation, and land-use conditions, removal of trees smaller than 12 inches DBH generally does not require a Title 11 removal permit. A street-tree removal permit is not required for sucker shoots or self-sown street trees smaller than 1/2 inch in diameter. Chapter 11.40 also exempts qualifying agricultural-use tree removal, activities under programmatic permits, and work performed by the City Forester or City Forestry crews. Development-related tree removal is handled under Chapter 11.50 rather than the ordinary non-development removal permit.
Protected Trees & Removal Eligibility
Protected Tree Rules
Heritage Trees have separate, heightened protection under Chapter 11.20. Tree work requires prior authorization, and removal requires consent of the Urban Forestry Commission after a public hearing, except for the code's emergency provisions. Heritage Trees also must be protected during development. In addition, trees required to be preserved by a land-use approval, Title 11, the Zoning Code, an approved tree-preservation plan, or a required stormwater facility cannot use the ordinary healthy-tree Type A removal allowance.
When Removal Is Allowed
For regulated private trees, Type A removal may be approved for dead, dying, or dangerous trees, nuisance species, trees with trunks within 10 feet of a building or attached structure, and up to four healthy non-nuisance trees under 20 inches DBH per site per calendar year when they are not Heritage Trees or otherwise required to be preserved. Healthy private trees 20 inches or larger, or removal of more than four healthy non-nuisance trees 12 inches or larger in a year, require Type B review and are decided case by case. For street trees, dead, dying, or dangerous trees may qualify for Type A removal; the City generally will not approve removal of a healthy, functioning street tree without extraordinary circumstances.
Replacement Requirements
Replacement Rules
Regulated removals generally require replacement or mitigation. Title 11 uses tree-for-tree replacement for many Type A removals and for smaller removals, while large or multiple healthy-tree removals can require up to inch-for-inch replacement based on the total DBH removed. If suitable planting space is unavailable, the City may require payment to the Tree Planting and Preservation Fund; the City Administrator may reduce or waive replacement in the circumstances allowed by Section 11.40.060. Street-tree replacements must follow City street-tree planting standards and approved species requirements.
Arborist & Professional Requirements
Professional Requirements
Portland may require professional tree documentation depending on the permit path. A Supplemental Arborist Form is used with certain non-development removal applications for private trees under 20 inches in regulated overlay zones or plan districts. Development projects can require an arborist report, including for land divisions, alternative tree-protection methods, or certain revisions after work begins. When an arborist report is required, Portland defines the arborist as an ISA Certified Arborist or an ASCA Registered Consulting Arborist. The City recommends using a practicing certified arborist for large or dangerous removals, but the ordinary removal permit does not universally require hiring one.
Public Notice Requirements
Notice Rules
Public notice depends on the tree and permit path. Under Chapter 11.30, Type A permits do not require public notice. Non-development Type B notice and public appeal generally apply to healthy street trees 20 inches or larger, more than four healthy street trees 12 inches or larger, healthy private non-nuisance trees 20 inches or larger, and more than four healthy private non-nuisance trees 12 inches or larger. One healthy private tree over 20 inches per lot per calendar year in a residential zone is exempt from public notice and public appeal. When Type B notice is required, the City sends notice and the applicant posts the notice where it is visible from the street. In development, removal of a tree 36 inches or larger that is not preserved can require a separate 45-day site and neighborhood notice under Section 11.50.040; that development notice is informational and does not create a public comment or appeal right.
Emergency Tree Removal
For a private tree that creates a clear and present danger and there is insufficient time to obtain a permit, Portland allows removal of only the portion needed to abate the immediate hazard before permit issuance. A retroactive Tree Removal and Replanting Permit must be submitted within 7 days, with photographs or other documentation supporting the emergency; an arborist report may be used as documentation. For an emergency involving a street tree, the City directs callers to Tree Permitting/Urban Forestry so City staff can respond. Heritage Trees have separate emergency provisions under Section 11.20.060.
Development & Special Areas
Development-Related Rules
Tree removal associated with development is governed through Chapter 11.50 and the development permit rather than the ordinary Chapter 11.40 non-development permit. A tree plan is generally required with development permits unless the project meets the code's exemption conditions; current thresholds include private trees 12 inches or larger, City trees 6 inches or larger, and street trees 3 inches or larger. Tree-preservation, protection, density, replacement, mitigation, and inspection requirements can apply through the development review. If a private tree 36 inches or larger is not preserved where Section 11.50.040 requires notice, the applicant must complete the 45-day site and recognized-neighborhood notification process before permit issuance.
Special Zone Rules
Special zoning can change both the threshold and the reviewing code. In environmental conservation/protection, greenway, river environmental, scenic-resource, Pleasant Valley, and specified plan districts, Table 40-1 divides authority between Title 11 and Title 33. In many listed situations, Title 11 regulates private trees beginning at 6 inches DBH, while Title 33 regulates additional trees, including some trees of any size. Land-use approvals can also impose continuing preservation conditions. Applicants should use the property's current overlay-zone, plan-district, and land-use information rather than relying only on the ordinary 12-inch private-tree threshold.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
First determine whether the tree is a street tree, private tree, Heritage Tree, or subject to an overlay zone, plan district, land-use condition, or active development permit. For a non-development removal application, identify the site and regulated tree(s), obtain required owner authorization, mark each tree proposed for removal with yellow tagging tape around the trunk at about 4.5 feet above ground, provide accurate tree information, allow City access for required inspections, and comply with any replacement or mitigation condition. Shared private trees require authorization from all owners.
Required Documents
For a standard application, provide owner/applicant and property information and identify each tree proposed for removal, including whether it is street or private, its location, species, and diameter at 4.5 feet above ground, plus required replacement-tree information. Mailed applications use the Tree Removal & Replanting Permit Application and need the supplemental page when more than three trees are proposed. Shared trees require all owners' authorization. Same-day private-tree applications require verifiable photos and a site map. A Supplemental Arborist Form is used for certain private trees under 20 inches in regulated overlay zones or plan districts, and emergency, development, or other special cases may require additional documentation.