Park strip and street tree code
Full rewrite of Chapter 12.16 governing trees in park strips, with approved and prohibited tree lists, planting distances, width standards allowing small trees in 4-foot strips, a grandfather clause and expanded enforcement. Reviewed by the Planning Commission Sept. 2 and adopted by the council Sept. 8.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Code change
- Location
- Citywide
- Applicant
- American Fork City
Every hearing and vote
October 5, 2021 · City Council work session
Park strip tree policy
Discussed
Community Services Director Camden Bird said the city owns park strip trees and is liable for damage but has not enforced its approved-species list, and three-fourths of a modest tree budget goes to park strips. Legal Counsel Cherylyn Egner's draft would make abutting residents handle basic trimming (not removal) of all park strip plants, require planting permits, create a forester position to inventory trees, and prioritize unhealthy trees, sidewalk-damaging trees, then unapproved species. Ideas included park-strip HOAs, a special service district, and fees on developers. Councilmembers Barnes and Hunter raised funding concerns; Bird cited a first-year truck cost of about $59,000. Mayor Frost suggested refining it for February.
- Truck for forester: about $59,000
August 1, 2023 · City Council work session
City arborist report on urban forestry code
Discussed
Ash proposed clarifying public versus private trees (Sec. 12.16.040), pruning clearances, planting specs and TCIA standards; the city would own and correct trees 10 inches or larger in diameter that do not fit park strips, protect valuable trees during utility work and restore landscaping it damages. City Attorney Cherylyn Egner said park strips in the right-of-way are city property and shifting ownership would be complicated. Parks' Jason Thomson said fix-it notices on large trees could cost residents $5,000-$10,000. Carroll suggested giving residents credit for replacement trees.
- Threshold: trees 10 inches or more in diameter
- Proposed notice period: 30 days
May 19, 2026 · City Council work session
Park strip standards
Discussed
Discussion of park strip landscaping and tree rules; the topic returned in July as a rewrite of city code Chapter 12.16.
July 7, 2026 · City Council work session
Park strip tree standards
Discussed
City arborist Brady McNaughton proposed tree-size rules based on park strip width: no trees in strips under 4 feet, small trees in 4- to 6-foot strips, medium in 6- to 8-foot, large only in strips over 8 feet, plus an approved list and a prohibited list (e.g., Siberian elm, tree-of-heaven, cottonwood, silver maple; evergreens unsuitable). Council members asked for outreach through the Beautification Committee, homeowner associations and builders, and Councilmember Holley supported letting the city recover costs when owners ignore hazard-tree notices. The rules later came back as a rewrite of city code Chapter 12.16.
- Approved tree list to be kept by the city forester
- Proposed enforcement: citation after notice; owner pays for emergency work
September 2, 2026 · Planning Commission
Park strips and trees ordinance rewrite (Chapter 12.16)
Recommended for approval
Repeals and replaces Chapter 12.16 with a new "Park Strips and Trees" chapter written by the Urban Forester, Public Works and Parks staff and city attorney Heather Schriever. It clarifies that the city owns rights-of-way while adjacent owners maintain park strips, defines the Urban Forester's authority, creates administratively amendable Approved and Prohibited Tree Lists posted online, sets planting distances (30 feet from intersection curb returns, 20 feet from utility poles and streetlights, 10 feet from hydrants, 5 feet from driveways and water meters), allows small trees in strips as narrow as 4 feet and medium trees in 6- to 8-foot strips, grandfathers lawfully planted trees, and expands enforcement. According to the American Fork Citizen, the commission asked that tree location be measured from the trunk's center; the council adopted the ordinance Sept. 8.
- Initiated by: city staff (Urban Forester Brady McNaughton)
- No trees in park strips under 4 feet wide
- Grandfather clause for existing lawfully planted trees
- Commission requested: measure tree location from trunk center (per American Fork Citizen)
- Council adopted 5-0 Sept. 8 (American Fork Citizen)
September 8, 2026 · City Council
New park strip and tree code (Chapter 12.16)
Approved · 5-0
Repeals and replaces Chapter 12.16 with 'Park Strips and Trees': small approved trees allowed in strips as narrow as 4 feet, medium in 6-8 feet, large in 8 feet or more (the old code barred new trees in strips under 8 feet); lawfully planted trees are grandfathered unless hazardous; approved and prohibited tree lists must stay on the city website. The rewrite followed a case in which an elderly couple was charged over cherry trees planted using an outdated city guide. Councilmember Clark Taylor raised enforcement of neglected park strips behind fences.
- Planning Commission asked that location be measured from trunk center