Many municipalities in Pennsylvania have ordinances regarding planting, care and removal of trees. Your municipality may also have a shade tree commission that oversees the trees within the right of way (ROW) and parks. Some ordinances may require a permit while others prohibit all trees or trees of certain species from being planted in some areas. If you are working on planting, pruning or removing a street tree in your municipality, check your local ordinances before you get started.
The City of Pittsburgh has municipal code that protects trees, allows for the creation of the Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission, and requires developers to plant trees as part of new construction. The Pittsburgh Shade Tree Commission has convened a committee that is currently working on reviewing and updating the City’s code that affects trees.
A complete list City codes can be found here: www.municode.com/library/PA/Pittsburgh
Chapter 483 Deals with the Care and Maintenance of Public Trees
Chapter 918 Deals with Developments and
Landscaping Requirements
For off street parking, one tree for every five parking spaces must be planted. For new buildings, a street tree must be planted every 30 feet. This chapter outlines many other City codes that require dumpsters to be screened to how many square feet of landscaping must be included around parking lots.
The City of Pittsburgh does have a progressive code when it comes to trees. Trees are a vitally important resource in our City and must be protected, preserved and re-planted as our City grows.