TREE ORDINANCE

The City of Paris has an ordinance called the “Tree Ordinance.” The ordinance became effective October 1984, and protects certain trees in the City of Paris, restricting their removal. Below are summaries of information found within the tree ordinance. Copies of this ordinance may be obtained from the City of Paris Public Works Department.

Protected trees are defined as “any tree having a circumference of sixty (60) inches or more, measured four and one-half feet above natural grade level.”  No person or corporation shall remove or cause the removal of any protected tree without first securing approval from the Department of Public Works, except as noted below:

1. When any protected tree sustains damage in the form of a broken trunk, broken limbs, or uprooting, which creates a hazard to life or property, no application shall be required for the removal of the damaged part or parts of the tree.

2. When site plan approval by the Planning Commission and/or City Council is required by this Code for any development, the actual locations of protected trees shall be shown on all site plans and the same must be submitted to the arborist for evaluation. Final approval of the site plan shall constitute approval for tree removal as to any protected tree indicated on the site plan as being removed by the approved development.

3. When a protected tree must be removed or altered to protect existing utilities, or to construct new utilities, or to protect existing utilities, in a right-of-way or easement. Abuse of this subsection is monitored by the Director of Public Works with final approval by the City Council.