Protected trees
Boulevard trees are city trees; the Park Board makes the final decision on removal requests.
Tree permits · Minnesota
Do you need a tree removal permit in Minneapolis, MN?
Street trees
Residents cannot remove a boulevard tree on their own; you request it and the Park Board decides. If your request is approved, you may have to pay for the removal and the tree's value. The Park Board says to use only your hand or hand tools to prune a boulevard tree. Planting on a boulevard needs a permit. The Park Board does not treat ash trees; you must hire a licensed and permitted tree care company at your cost.
Dead or hazardous trees
Private trees infested with emerald ash borer or infected with Dutch elm disease are condemned. Owners have 23 days to remove diseased elms and 60 days to remove infested ash. If you choose to treat an ash tree, tell the Park Board.
How to apply
Boulevard tree removal or planting permits: call 612-313-7710 or email forestry@minneapolisparks.org.
Penalties
If removal costs for a condemned tree are not paid in full, they are added to the owner's property taxes as a special assessment, usually over 5 years.
HOA note
HOA rules can be stricter; check yours.
A city permit does not override your HOA. Check your covenants before work starts.
Official sources
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: Private Tree Removal FAQ
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: Boulevard Trees
Last checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check the official source before work starts. Short explanation, not legal advice. Spotted a change? See our corrections page.
For homeowners
Before a tree comes down in Minneapolis
- Check the city rule above and call the city if anything is unclear.
- Ask the tree company who gets the permit and put it in the written quote.
- Get two or three written quotes from local insured pros.
- Never cut near power lines. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger.
- Tree permits: what to ask
- How to hire a tree service
- Tree care in Minnesota
- Minnesota tree service rules
Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews. Lirevon does not do tree work and does not list or rank tree companies.
Own a tree service in Minneapolis?
Permit questions mean calls. Answer every one.
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, online booking and review requests, set up for tree companies. Link this page in your quotes so customers know the rules.
Minneapolis tree permit questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Minneapolis, MN?
We could not confirm a city tree permit rule for Minneapolis. Call the city before removing a large tree. On the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board pages we checked, we did not find a permit rule for removing a private tree. But private trees with Dutch elm disease or emerald ash borer are condemned and the owner must remove them by a deadline. Boulevard trees belong to the city, and the Park Board decides if one can be removed. Our confidence: low. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Which trees are protected in Minneapolis?
Boulevard trees are city trees; the Park Board makes the final decision on removal requests.
Can I remove or prune a street tree in front of my house in Minneapolis?
Residents cannot remove a boulevard tree on their own; you request it and the Park Board decides. If your request is approved, you may have to pay for the removal and the tree's value. The Park Board says to use only your hand or hand tools to prune a boulevard tree. Planting on a boulevard needs a permit. The Park Board does not treat ash trees; you must hire a licensed and permitted tree care company at your cost.
Do I need a permit to remove a dead or dangerous tree in Minneapolis?
Private trees infested with emerald ash borer or infected with Dutch elm disease are condemned. Owners have 23 days to remove diseased elms and 60 days to remove infested ash. If you choose to treat an ash tree, tell the Park Board.
How do I apply for a tree permit in Minneapolis?
Boulevard tree removal or planting permits: call 612-313-7710 or email forestry@minneapolisparks.org.
What happens if I remove a tree without a permit in Minneapolis?
If removal costs for a condemned tree are not paid in full, they are added to the owner's property taxes as a special assessment, usually over 5 years.
Do HOA rules matter for tree removal in Minneapolis?
HOA rules can be stricter; check yours. Read your HOA covenants or ask the board before work starts.
What should I have ready before I call the city?
Your address, the tree species if you know it, the trunk width measured about 4.5 feet above the ground, photos of the whole tree, and whether it is near the street, a sidewalk or a power line. Ask if a permit is needed and how long it takes.
Will the tree company get the permit for me?
Some do and some do not. Ask before you sign, and get it in writing who applies and who pays the fee. In many places the property owner is the one responsible for following the rules.
Is this page legal advice?
No. It is a short, plain summary of public rules with links to the official sources. For a firm answer on your property, ask the city or a local attorney.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Last checked 26 October 2026.