Yes, you can remove a tree in the Grand Rapids road right-of-way, but only after you get a free permit from the city’s Forestry Division, and you have to hire a private company to do the actual work. The trees in the outlawn, the strip of grass between your sidewalk and the street, belong to the City of Grand Rapids, so you cannot cut or prune them on your own. Removing a healthy street tree is rarely approved, because the city works hard to protect its urban canopy. If you have a dead or nuisance tree in that strip, here is exactly how the right-of-way rules work and what you are allowed to do.
Who Owns the Trees in the Right-of-Way?
In the City of Grand Rapids, the trees in the outlawn, the space between the sidewalk and the road, belong to the City, not the adjacent homeowner. Even though you are required to mow the grass around them and maintain the area, the trees themselves are City property. The Grand Rapids Forestry Division manages this urban canopy and cares for more than 75,000 street trees across the city.
Do You Need a Permit for Right-of-Way Tree Removal?
Yes. If a tree sits in the City right-of-way and has a mature height of more than three feet, you must obtain a free City permit from the Forestry Division before any pruning or removal can occur. The application process typically takes about three business days for review. Keep in mind that the City heavily protects its urban canopy, so requests to remove healthy street trees are rarely approved.
If the tree is entirely within your private property lines, no city permit is required for removal.
Who Actually Does the Work?
An approved permit does not mean the City will come out and cut down the tree. This is where many homeowners get confused. When the City approves your permit to remove or prune a right-of-way tree, it is simply giving you authorization to have the work done. You are responsible for locating public utilities and for hiring a qualified private tree care company at your own expense.
When Will the City Handle Tree Maintenance?
The City of Grand Rapids handles routine pruning and removal for right-of-way trees only under specific criteria. You can request Forestry service through 311 when:
Limbs hang lower than 15 feet over the roadway (street clearance).
Limbs hang lower than 8 feet over the sidewalk (sidewalk clearance).
Limbs are within 8 feet of a house or building.
There is significant deadwood, meaning dead branches larger than two inches in diameter.
The tree poses an immediate, severe hazard or has fallen into the street.
Can I Prune a Street Tree Myself?
No. Homeowners are strictly prohibited from pruning City street trees themselves, even if you are just trying to carefully snip a branch that hangs over your driveway. You have two legal options: submit a 311 request for the City to prune it, or pull a permit and hire a professional to do the work. Cutting a city tree on your own, with no permit, puts you on the hook for breaking the city’s tree ordinance.
What Happens If You Remove a Right-of-Way Tree Without a Permit?
Removing or damaging a City street tree without a permit is a violation of the Grand Rapids tree ordinance, and it can get expensive fast. The City can fine you, bill you for the appraised value of the tree you cut or harmed, and require you to pay for a replacement. Because outlawn trees are public property, the penalty is based on what the tree was worth to the City, not just the cost of cutting it down. The simple way to avoid all of it is to pull the free permit first, or call 311 and let the City handle the work when it qualifies.
Need a Right-of-Way Tree Removed in Grand Rapids?
Navigating municipal tree ordinances can be confusing. If you have an approved permit for a right-of-way tree, or you need private tree removal in Grand Rapids, Big Chipper Tree Service is here to help. With over 39 years of experience, OSHA-certified crews, and state-of-the-art cranes, we handle the most complex removals safely and efficiently.
Call us at (616) 300-1811 today to schedule a free on-site evaluation and written estimate.
