Tree & Shrub Trimming 

Trimming vegetation to improve visibility is one of the most effective ways you can enhance traffic safety in your neighborhood. Overgrown trees and shrubs endanger us all when they block our view of traffic signs, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. If vegetation is blocking visibility in the street or at an intersection, it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner or resident to trim the vegetation.

Traffic Signs and Signals 

The City responds to vegetation obstructions of signs and signals. Crews will investigate concerns about trees and shrubs that block stop signs and traffic signals, trees and shrubs that hang too low over sidewalks and streets, and trees and shrubs that limit visibility at an intersection.

The City will either notify the resident to trim their tree or plant, or we will trim it. For example, a large shrub at the corner that blocks the ability of a driver to see if traffic is coming from another street is a hazard. 

Below are the City's visibility standards. To determine which one applies to you, find the speed limit for your street. Note that residential streets are 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.

About Trees, Shrubs, and Public Property

The land between the sidewalk and the street, often called the parking strip or planting strip, is part of the public right-of-way. However, Portland City Code requires the adjacent property owner or resident to maintain the strip. Before you plant, prune, or remove a tree on this land, you must obtain a free permit from the City Forester.

To ensure safe passage for everyone, tree limbs over streets and sidewalks must meet the standards below. All intersections must have clear visibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists, even if no traffic signs or signals are present. If the City is notified that there might be a visibility problem at your corner, we will contact you as a reminder to keep nearby trees and shrubs trimmed.

Nuisance Complaints 

To make a nuisance complaint regarding vegetation obstructions of sidewalks, paths, streets, and other rights of way, call the Neighborhood Inspections Complaint Line at 503-823-CODE (2633). You will be asked to provide your name, address, phone or email, and nature of complaint; the address of the property (if the specific address is unknown, then a description of the property location); and a description of the issue of concern. Or submit your complaint online using the Neighborhood Nuisance Online Complaint Form.

The process of review is as follows:

1. Complaint is made via phone or online form.

2. City receives the complaint. It remains confidential. The City does not inform the property owner who made the complaint.

3. Within 5 to 7 days, the City responds to the complaint by sending an inspector to inspect the property.

4. If the inspector confirms there is a problem, the inspector leaves a Posting Notice at the property, identifying the nature of the problem and the required action to address it.

5. The City mails a Nuisance Notice to the property owner and/or occupant, stating that the property owner has 15 days to make the correction.

6. After the 15 days expire, the inspector re-checks the property.

7. If the correction has not been made, the inspector issues and/or mails a Work Order Notice to the property owner and occupant.

8. One week later, the City conducts a final inspection, at which time the property is issued to a private contractor to abate.

9. A private contractor abates the nuisance.

10. The City liens the property for the costs, which include contractor costs, City overhead, $300 civil penalty, and a $32 recording fee. 

What is a Code violation?

In most cases, investigation of code violations and enforcement action happen when a citizen reports a potential violation. Types of violations that are typically reported and where to report them include: vehicles, construction without permits, residential & commerical, tree/vegetation, noise, and other.

Click here to learn types of violations typically reported and where to report them.

Relevant City Codes

City Code: Obstructions of Sidewalks, Streets, and Other Rights of Way

29.20.010 Outdoor Maintenance Requirements

(Amended by Ordinance Nos. 176381 and 180330, effective August 18, 2006)

It is the responsibility of the owner of any property, improved or unimproved, to maintain the outdoor areas of the property and adjacent rights of way in a manner that complies with the following requirements:

J.   Obstructions to sidewalks, streets, and other rights of way

Keep the adjacent rights of way free of anything that obstructs or interferes with the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, unless specifically authorized by ordinance to do otherwise. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, removal of earth, rock, and other debris, as well as projecting or overhanging bushes and limbs that may obstruct or render unsafe the passage of persons or vehicles. This responsibility also includes, but is not limited to, the obligation to maintain all rights of way referenced in this subsection to meet the following minimum clearances:

1. Sidewalks. All sidewalks must be clear of obstructions by earth, rock, or vegetation from edge to edge and to an elevation of 7-1/2 feet above sidewalk level. For example, bushes that encroach on or over any part of a sidewalk area must be cut back or removed and limbs of trees that project over the sidewalk area at an elevation of less than 7- 1/2 feet above the sidewalk level must be removed.

2. Improved streets. All improved streets must be clear of obstructions to vehicle movement and parking from edge to edge and to an elevation of 1 1 feet above street level. For example, bushes that encroach on or over any part of a street must be cut back or removed; limbs of trees that project over a street at an elevation of less than 1 1 feet above street level must be removed; and no wires or other things shall be maintained over the street level at any elevation less than 1 1 feet.

3. Alleys and unimproved rights of way. All alleys, unimproved streets, and other public rights of way must be clear of obstructions that may hinder the normal flow of traffic or render the right of way unsafe for its current and necessary use.

16.70.800 Visibility

(Amended by Ordinance Nos. 165987 and 173369, effective May 12, 1999)

A. It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of any property to prevent any vegetation or street tree on the property or the abutting public right-of-way from partially or wholly obstructing the visibility of traffic control devices, the visibility of or for dirvers, bicyclists, or pedestrians, or in any way presents a safety hazard.

B. The person who owns or occupies said property is liable to any person who is injured or otherwise suffers damage by reason of the failure to remove or prune such vegetation as required by Title 16 or any other Title of the City Code. Furthermore, said person is liable to the City of Portland for any judgement or expense incurred or paid by the City, by reason of said person's failure to satisfy the obligations imposed by this or any other Title of the City Code. 

C. Any street tree removal or pruning required by this Title must be done in accordance with the provisions of Title 20.

D. Any vegetation or street tree not removed or pruned as required in this Title is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and may be summarily abated as provided in Title 29.

E. Whenever the provisions of this section conflict with those of any other section of this code, including but not limited to Titles 16, 17, 18, 20, and 33, the stricter provisions shall govern.