Boulder Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide
Boulder County, Colorado
Protected Tree Definition
Public trees (rights-of-way, parks, open space) regulated regardless of size. On private property, trees subject to landscape and development review. Forestry Division has authority over all public trees.
Heritage / Landmark Trees
Boulder Revised Code Chapter 6-6 (Forestry) establishes Forestry Division authority over all public trees on rights-of-way, parks, and open space regardless of size; private-property trees subject to landscape and development preservation review at one of the most stringent DBH thresholds in Colorado — Boulder's enhanced-protection tier in lieu of a separate heritage-tree designation. (Numeric protected-tree threshold stored separately in the protected_tree_dbh_threshold field.)
Permit Requirements
Forestry Division approval required for any work on public trees. Development-related tree removal requires preservation plan review.
Replacement Requirements
Based on tree category and site-specific review
Replacement required to maintain canopy coverage; in-lieu fees available.
Fees & Fines
Required Certifications
ISA Certified Arborist or city-licensed contractor
Municipal Code
Boulder Revised Code Chapter 6-6 (Forestry)
View full ordinanceContact
Parks and Recreation / Forestry Division
(303) 441-4406
forestry@bouldercolorado.govNearby Cities in Boulder County
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Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Boulder before submitting permits or reports.
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