Tree Removal Permits in Eugene, OR

Verified against Eugene city sources · last checked 2026-08-06

Do you need a permit?

It depends on the tree

Eugene keys its rule to lot size, not tree size. If your parcel has a house on it and is smaller than 20,000 square feet — about 0.46 acre, which covers most Eugene lots — Eugene Code 6.330(b) exempts you outright and you may fell trees in your own yard without a permit. On a parcel of 20,000 square feet or more you may fell up to five trees in any 12 consecutive months before a permit is needed. Street trees are the opposite: the code says a street tree permit is required "notwithstanding" the small-lot exemption, so the same homeowner needs nothing for the back-yard oak and a permit for the parking-strip maple.

Size threshold

Eugene Code 6.300 defines the subject by circumference, not diameter: "Tree. A living, standing, woody plant having a trunk 25 inches in circumference (or approximately eight inches in diameter) at a point 4-1/2 feet above mean ground level at the base of the trunk." A street tree is defined far smaller, and at a different height: "Street tree. A living, standing woody plant typically having a single trunk at least 1-1/2 inch in diameter at a point six inches above mean ground level at the base of the trunk, that is located within the street right-of-way." The Land Use Code uses a third convention for a Significant Tree — "a minimum cumulative diameter breast height of 8 inches ... measured at 4.5 feet above mean ground level."

What's protected in Eugene

Street trees, at any size above the 1-1/2 inch definition. EC 6.305(3): "Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section and section 6.330(b) of this code, no person shall remove a street tree without first obtaining a permit from the city manager specifically authorizing the removal of a street tree."
Heritage trees in the public right-of-way. EC 6.305(4) allows removal only "where such removal, and authorization for its removal, has been granted by the city because its removal is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare."
Trees in a /WR Water Resources Conservation Area. EC 9.4930(2) is a closed list of permitted activities; removal of a healthy native tree is not on it. Removal of a non-native, non-nuisance tree or shrub over 5 feet in height within 25 feet of a Category B, C or D stream must be "replaced within 6 months by a native tree or shrub."
Trees in the Willamette River Greenway and its Tree Preservation Zones 1 through 3, which override the ordinary under-20,000-square-foot development exemption.
Property in the South Hills Area — land inside the Urban Growth Boundary above 500 feet elevation, with a stricter tier at or above 900 feet. This is development-triggered, not a standalone homeowner permit.
Any property under an approved Conditional Use Permit, PUD, Site Review, Subdivision or Willamette River Greenway Permit that included a tree removal or preservation plan. EC 9.6885(1)(c) provides that "that plan or city approved modifications thereto control tree removal," which can bind a small lot in a newer subdivision.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Penalties: Eugene Code 6.990(3): "Violation of section 6.305 to and including section 6.310 is punishable by a fine of a minimum of $100.00 to a maximum of $4,000.000 for each tree removed, or confinement in jail not to exceed 100 days, or both fine and imprisonment." The "$4,000.000" is printed exactly that way in the published code and is an apparent typographical error for $4,000.00; it is quoted as printed rather than corrected. The city's street tree removal application separately warns that "Unpermitted street tree removal may result in enforcement and recovery of the appraised value of the tree(s)."
Ordinance: Eugene Code 1971, Chapter 6, Article 6-5 — Tree Preservation, sections 6.300 through 6.330. The controlling exemption at EC 6.330 was last amended by Ordinance No. 19927, enacted July 12, 1993; the prohibition at EC 6.305 was last amended by Ordinance No. 20056, enacted August 5, 1996, effective September 4, 1996. EC 6.320 (criteria for permit issuance) was amended by Ordinance No. 20584, enacted July 17, 2017, effective August 24, 2017. The development-side standards are at Eugene Land Use Code 9.6880 to 9.6885, most recently amended by Ordinance No. 20693, enacted July 12, 2023, effective August 18, 2023, with Ordinance No. 20705 pending codification.

Worth knowing

Pruning is not "felling" in Eugene. EC 6.300: "Fell does not in any context include normal trimming, pruning, or topping of trees." So Chapter 6 does not require a permit to prune a private tree. Street tree pruning is separately permitted.
The exemption turns on the word "occupied." EC 6.300: "Occupied parcel. Real property within the boundaries of an ad valorem tax lot description ... with one or more dwellings thereon, or a parcel which has been approved for a dwelling." A vacant lot under 20,000 square feet with no dwelling and no dwelling approval is not covered by 6.330(b), and EC 6.305(2) requires a permit there to fell even one tree.
Other exemptions in EC 6.330 cover emergency action by a city officer or public utility "necessary to remove or alleviate an immediate danger to life or property," felling of trees that are nuisances under EC 6.010, and felling necessary to install or maintain improvements within publicly owned rights-of-way or utility easements.
Ownership of the strip tree turns on the trunk. The city's FAQ: "Whoever owns the land which holds greater than 50% of the base of the tree owns the tree." Call 541-682-4800 to have the city determine it.
The city removes hazardous right-of-way trees itself: "The city will remove right-of-way trees which are dead, dying or hazardous. A homeowner may remove a tree from right-of-way adjacent to property they own after receiving permission from the City."
You may hire your own arborist for a city street tree, but you must tell the city first so it can update its inventory — and it will send you a tax deduction form.
Sidewalk damage from a street tree is yours. Per city code 7.375 as summarised by the city: "City of Eugene is responsible for ROW trees, the curb and gutter, however, the adjacent property owner is responsible for the sidewalk and the repairs associated."
Clearance duties: Eugene City Code 7.280 and 9.678 require all vegetation, including city trees, to overhang no lower than 15 feet above street surface and 9 feet above sidewalk surfaces.
Where a permit is needed, EC 6.310 gives the city ten business days to act on ten trees or fewer and 30 days for more than ten, with mailed notice to properties within 200 feet and a 15-day comment period. A logging plan is required above ten trees.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— The tree felling permit application fee. EC 6.310(2) delegates it to the city manager under EC 2.020 and no amount appears in the July 1, 2026 Land Use Fee Schedule, the Building fee schedule, or on any city page.
— Whether a downloadable tree felling permit application form exists. Only street-tree forms are published; EC 6.310(1) says the form is "developed by the city manager or designee" and it may exist only at the counter.
— Which office actually issues the private tree felling permit. The code says only "city manager or designee"; the Urban Forestry FAQ names Building and Permit Services, and no city page is dedicated to the permit.
— The live 2026 text of EC 6.300, 6.305 and 6.330. Eugene's official code host blocks automated access, so these sections were read from archived captures of the official code pages dated May 2024. The last recorded amendments are 1993 and 1996, so drift is unlikely, but it was not confirmed against the live text.
— The "codified through" ordinance and date for the Eugene Code. Not published anywhere reachable.
— Whether the city's FAQ is right that permits are required "only on lots larger than 20,000 square feet or if they are in a conservation area." That statement omits EC 6.305(2), which requires a permit to fell even one tree on an unoccupied parcel under 20,000 square feet, and omits the always-on street tree and heritage tree requirements. Both the FAQ and the code text are reported here; the city's own advice is to call and be certain.
— Any street tree removal permit fee amount. The page is titled "Street Tree Permits and Fees" and publishes no dollar figures.
— Whether Eugene maintains a heritage tree registry for privately sited trees. EC 6.305(4) protects heritage trees only "from within the public right-of-way," and the classification methodology is delegated to an administrative rule that was not obtained.

Sources

Who to contact in Eugene

Urban Forestry Program, Parks and Open Space Division, Public Works (street trees and right-of-way trees). Private-property tree felling permits: the city's FAQ names "the Building and Permit Services Division of Planning and Development who administers rules for private trees."

541-682-4800 (Urban Forestry). Permit Information Center 541-682-8336; the city gives two other numbers for the same counter on other pages, 541-682-5086 and 541-682-8400. Planning Division, for overlay and land use questions: 541-682-5377. Planning@eugene-or.gov (Planning Division) Official page

Urban Forestry Program, 1820 Roosevelt Blvd., Eugene, OR 97402. Permit and Information Center, 99 W. 10th Ave, Ste 100, Eugene, OR 97401.

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Size threshold

What's protected in Eugene

Street trees, at any size above the 1-1/2 inch definition. EC 6.305(3): "Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2) of this section and section 6.330(b) of this code, no person shall remove a street tree without first obtaining a permit from the city manager specifically authorizing the removal of a street tree."

Heritage trees in the public right-of-way. EC 6.305(4) allows removal only "where such removal, and authorization for its removal, has been granted by the city because its removal is necessary to protect the public health, safety, or welfare."

Trees in a /WR Water Resources Conservation Area. EC 9.4930(2) is a closed list of permitted activities; removal of a healthy native tree is not on it. Removal of a non-native, non-nuisance tree or shrub over 5 feet in height within 25 feet of a Category B, C or D stream must be "replaced within 6 months by a native tree or shrub."

Trees in the Willamette River Greenway and its Tree Preservation Zones 1 through 3, which override the ordinary under-20,000-square-foot development exemption.

Property in the South Hills Area — land inside the Urban Growth Boundary above 500 feet elevation, with a stricter tier at or above 900 feet. This is development-triggered, not a standalone homeowner permit.

Any property under an approved Conditional Use Permit, PUD, Site Review, Subdivision or Willamette River Greenway Permit that included a tree removal or preservation plan. EC 9.6885(1)(c) provides that "that plan or city approved modifications thereto control tree removal," which can bind a small lot in a newer subdivision.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Penalties

Eugene Code 6.990(3): "Violation of section 6.305 to and including section 6.310 is punishable by a fine of a minimum of $100.00 to a maximum of $4,000.000 for each tree removed, or confinement in jail not to exceed 100 days, or both fine and imprisonment." The "$4,000.000" is printed exactly that way in the published code and is an apparent typographical error for $4,000.00; it is quoted as printed rather than corrected. The city's street tree removal application separately warns that "Unpermitted street tree removal may result in enforcement and recovery of the appraised value of the tree(s)."

Ordinance

Eugene Code 1971, Chapter 6, Article 6-5 — Tree Preservation, sections 6.300 through 6.330. The controlling exemption at EC 6.330 was last amended by Ordinance No. 19927, enacted July 12, 1993; the prohibition at EC 6.305 was last amended by Ordinance No. 20056, enacted August 5, 1996, effective September 4, 1996. EC 6.320 (criteria for permit issuance) was amended by Ordinance No. 20584, enacted July 17, 2017, effective August 24, 2017. The development-side standards are at Eugene Land Use Code 9.6880 to 9.6885, most recently amended by Ordinance No. 20693, enacted July 12, 2023, effective August 18, 2023, with Ordinance No. 20705 pending codification.

Worth knowing

Pruning is not "felling" in Eugene. EC 6.300: "Fell does not in any context include normal trimming, pruning, or topping of trees." So Chapter 6 does not require a permit to prune a private tree. Street tree pruning is separately permitted.
The exemption turns on the word "occupied." EC 6.300: "Occupied parcel. Real property within the boundaries of an ad valorem tax lot description ... with one or more dwellings thereon, or a parcel which has been approved for a dwelling." A vacant lot under 20,000 square feet with no dwelling and no dwelling approval is not covered by 6.330(b), and EC 6.305(2) requires a permit there to fell even one tree.
Other exemptions in EC 6.330 cover emergency action by a city officer or public utility "necessary to remove or alleviate an immediate danger to life or property," felling of trees that are nuisances under EC 6.010, and felling necessary to install or maintain improvements within publicly owned rights-of-way or utility easements.
Ownership of the strip tree turns on the trunk. The city's FAQ: "Whoever owns the land which holds greater than 50% of the base of the tree owns the tree." Call 541-682-4800 to have the city determine it.
The city removes hazardous right-of-way trees itself: "The city will remove right-of-way trees which are dead, dying or hazardous. A homeowner may remove a tree from right-of-way adjacent to property they own after receiving permission from the City."
You may hire your own arborist for a city street tree, but you must tell the city first so it can update its inventory — and it will send you a tax deduction form.
Sidewalk damage from a street tree is yours. Per city code 7.375 as summarised by the city: "City of Eugene is responsible for ROW trees, the curb and gutter, however, the adjacent property owner is responsible for the sidewalk and the repairs associated."
Clearance duties: Eugene City Code 7.280 and 9.678 require all vegetation, including city trees, to overhang no lower than 15 feet above street surface and 9 feet above sidewalk surfaces.
Where a permit is needed, EC 6.310 gives the city ten business days to act on ten trees or fewer and 30 days for more than ten, with mailed notice to properties within 200 feet and a 15-day comment period. A logging plan is required above ten trees.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— The tree felling permit application fee. EC 6.310(2) delegates it to the city manager under EC 2.020 and no amount appears in the July 1, 2026 Land Use Fee Schedule, the Building fee schedule, or on any city page.
— Whether a downloadable tree felling permit application form exists. Only street-tree forms are published; EC 6.310(1) says the form is "developed by the city manager or designee" and it may exist only at the counter.
— Which office actually issues the private tree felling permit. The code says only "city manager or designee"; the Urban Forestry FAQ names Building and Permit Services, and no city page is dedicated to the permit.
— The live 2026 text of EC 6.300, 6.305 and 6.330. Eugene's official code host blocks automated access, so these sections were read from archived captures of the official code pages dated May 2024. The last recorded amendments are 1993 and 1996, so drift is unlikely, but it was not confirmed against the live text.
— The "codified through" ordinance and date for the Eugene Code. Not published anywhere reachable.
— Whether the city's FAQ is right that permits are required "only on lots larger than 20,000 square feet or if they are in a conservation area." That statement omits EC 6.305(2), which requires a permit to fell even one tree on an unoccupied parcel under 20,000 square feet, and omits the always-on street tree and heritage tree requirements. Both the FAQ and the code text are reported here; the city's own advice is to call and be certain.
— Any street tree removal permit fee amount. The page is titled "Street Tree Permits and Fees" and publishes no dollar figures.
— Whether Eugene maintains a heritage tree registry for privately sited trees. EC 6.305(4) protects heritage trees only "from within the public right-of-way," and the classification methodology is delegated to an administrative rule that was not obtained.