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Planting in the Rights-of-Way

Planting in the Right-of-Way

 

The "Planting Strip"

The right-of-way is the area outside of your private property boundary, and generally is considered the area between the sidewalk and the street, often referred to as the "planting strip" for street trees. Even if you do not have a "planting strip" between the curb and sidewalk, you may still have ROW available for planting. In areas where there are no sidewalks or curbs, considerations should include existing trees, ROW width, parking areas, and foreseeable street improvements (if known). Before planting a tree on City right-of-way (ROW), a planting permit is required.

Clearance Standards

Detailed information on regulations and requirements for the right-of-way can be found in the Right-of-Way Design Manual, or Tacoma Municipal Code Title 9 Public Ways.  As trees grow, they will need pruning to provide a vertical clearance of at least eight feet over the sidewalks and 14 feet over streets and alleys.Tree Planting Clearance Standards

Please note that street signage must be clearly visible. Street signage includes regulatory, warning, transit, and other City installed signs.

Vegetation planted in the right-of-way shall not obstruct sight of signs or sight distance at corners in order to clearly view pedestrians and traffic. This can usually be accomplished by ensuring trees are planted the proper distance (25 feet) from the street corner and meet vertical clearance requirements (removal of lower branches). 

 

For additional guidance on proper tree placement, check out our Tree Placement Postcard, or our standard details for tree planting in the right-of-way.

 

Tree Placement Standards for Tacoma Right-of-Way

Minimum Tree Placement Setback Checklist

Distance
(in feet) 

 Center Line of Tree to Center Line of:
 Street Corner

25

 Stop and Yield Signs

25

 Utility Poles

15

 Other Traffic Control Signs

5

 Center Line of Tree to Edge of:
 Driveways

 5

 Face of Curb

 2.5

 Pavement

 2

 Edge of Tree to Edge of:
 Utility Worker Access Lids

 5

 Gas Shutoff Valves

 5

 Fire Hydrant and Hydrant Branches

 10

 Water Meter, Water Services and Water Mains

 5

 Storm Inlets, Catch Basins and Manholes

 5

 Storm/Sanitary Service Connections and Mains

 5

Call Before You Dig

 

Always Call Before You Dig, 811 in Washington

In order to protect the health and wellbeing of yourself, your property and the community, always locate and identify any underground utilities that may impact the location of your trees before you dig.

 

Non-Recommended and Prohibited Street Trees

Several trees are not permitted to be planted in the right-of-way per the

Urban Forest Manual.

 

Currently, prohibited ROW trees consist of the following:

  • Poplar 
  • Cottonwood 
  • Willow 
  • Fruit trees 
  • Nut trees 
  • Mountain ash 
  • Big leaf maple 
  • Any species or type with growth characteristics similar to those above
  • Additional details on the List of Trees Not Recommended for Planting

Size of Tree When Planted

Residential street trees should be a minimum of one to one-and-a-half inches caliper (equivalent to about a 15 to 25 gallon container).

Non-residential sites, or sites prone to vandalism (such as near schools or bars), should be a minimum of two to two-and-a-half inches caliper at the time of planting.

 

Other Planting in the Rights-of-Way: Raised Beds

The City of Tacoma does allow raised beds to be constructed in the rights-of-way. More information regarding raised beds and activities in the rights-of-way can be found here.

Raised beds need to meet the following standards:Raised Beds Standards

  • Maximum height for the built raised bed is two feet
  • All raised beds shall be setback from the curb and sidewalk a minimum of two feet
  • All raised beds shall provide pedestrian access to the sidewalk with a minimum of three feet width between sections

Raised Beds Standard Requirements

 

Permit Counter

(253) 591-5030

email

Apply for a Planting Permit

For Additional Questions,

Call 311 within Tacoma or (253) 591-5000 from anywhere else.






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