When is a pruning permit required?

• Street trees: A permit is required to prune any tree in the City right-of-way, which is typically between the curb and sidewalk. No permit is required for pruning branches less than 1/2 inch in diameter at attachment to the stem.
• Private trees: A permit is required to prune native trees in c, p, or v overlay zones. Click here for private tree pruning permits. 

If you wish to report a street tree that needs pruning, visit Tree Code Violations.

Timeline and process

Some street tree pruning permits can be self-issued online. All other pruning permits will need consultation from an Urban Forestry Tree Inspector and require submitting an application. Traditional tree pruning permits take two weeks to process. Incomplete applications will delay the process. There is no fee to apply for a street tree pruning permit. 

Pruning permits are valid for 30 days.

Are you eligible for a self-issued online permit?

Street tree pruning permits may be self-issued online if the tree to be pruned meets the following conditions:

Young tree pruning is the pruning of young trees to develop good structure, including a strong and well established central leader, strong branch attachments, and adequate spacing and distribution of scaffold branches. Young tree pruning occurs on an ongoing basis the first ten years after tree planting.

Crown cleaning is the removal of water sprouts and dead, dying, diseased, crowded, weakly attached, and low vigor branches from a tree's crown.

Crown raising for clearance of the street and sidewalk removes the lower branches of a tree in order to provide clearance for vehicles, pedestrians, and buildings. The City of Portland requires maintaining clearance standards 7.5' above the sidewalk, 11' above residential streets, and 14'  above main arterial streets.

Learn how to prune a tree

Other types of pruning may be permitted for street trees; however, they require a tree inspection and a permit issued by a City Tree Inspector. Self-issued online permits are only valid for trees that meet the above conditions.

The online permitting system requires you to have a unique PortlandOnline account. You will be prompted to log in to PortlandOnline or to create an account if you do not have one. Your permit will be emailed to the email address registered with your PortlandOnline account. The account is free and protected by the City's privacy policy.

APPLY ONLINE HERE

Pruning Permit with inspection

If any of the following apply, a pruning permit may NOT be self-issued and an application must be submitted to Urban Forestry in order to obtain a permit.

• Pruning is for crown restoration, weight reduction, clearing infrastructure such as buildings or utility lines, or crown reduction.
• Pruning is for branches greater than 6" in diameter.
• The street tree is a Heritage Tree.

Pruning permit with inspection application and instructions

Only an owner of the property abutting the planting strip, or the owner's designee, may apply for a street tree pruning permit. Request a street tree pruning permit one of the following ways:

• Complete the Street Tree Permit Application (non-removal) online; OR
• Request a paper permit application by calling 503-823-TREE (8733); OR
• Download the Street Tree Permit Application (non-removal), fill it out, and submit it to Urban Forestry one of the following ways:

• Email: trees@portlandoregon.gov
• Mail: Attn: Urban Forestry, 1900 SW 4th Ave. Suite 5000, Portland, OR 97201
• In person: Development Services Center (DSC), 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Portland, OR 97201, first floor
• Fax: 503-823-4493

After the application has been received, an Urban Forestry Tree Inspector will visit the site to inspect the tree and assess the pruning needs. After the site visit, the Tree Inspector will send the applicant the pruning permit. The pruning permit will describe the recommended pruning activities. 

Qualifying for a permit

All pruning work must meet PP&R's Urban Forestry Street Tree Pruning Standards. Pruning done without a permit or pruning that does not meet the standards may be treated as a code violation and be subject to civil and criminal penalties and tree replacement.

It is recommended that you hire a certified arborist to do the tree pruning. 

Elm Tree Pruning

In order to limit the spread of Dutch elm disease and comply with Oregon's state quarantine of elm wood, the following rules apply to the pruning of elm trees (Ulmus spp.):

• Elm trees shall not be pruned from April 15 through October 15 annually.
• Pruning tools shall be treated with a disinfectant before and after pruning individual elm trees.
• All wood waste shall be chipped or taken to an approved commercial disposal site within 24 hours of cutting.

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