Protected trees
Boulevard trees are public property.
Tree permits · Minnesota
Do you need a tree removal permit in Rochester, MN?
Street trees
Work on a boulevard tree needs a permit approved before work begins, and only licensed tree companies are issued these permits. A boulevard planting permit is free and issued by the Forestry Division; the tree must be at least 1.5 inches caliper and single-stem and meet spacing rules.
Dead or hazardous trees
Public trees that are structurally compromised and hazardous are removed at no cost to the requester. The city marks private trees only if they are a hazard to the general public.
How to apply
Boulevard work permits are issued to licensed tree companies. Forestry contact listed on the permit page: 507-328-2515 or ForestryService@rochestermn.gov.
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
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 Rochester
- 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 Rochester?
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.
Rochester tree permit questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Rochester, MN?
We found no city-wide permit rule for private trees in Rochester. Street trees, protected sites and county or HOA rules can still apply. On the city forestry pages we checked, we found no permit to remove a tree on private property. Boulevard trees are public property, and work on one needs an approved city permit first. Only licensed tree companies are issued those permits. Our confidence: medium. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Which trees are protected in Rochester?
Boulevard trees are public property.
Can I remove or prune a street tree in front of my house in Rochester?
Work on a boulevard tree needs a permit approved before work begins, and only licensed tree companies are issued these permits. A boulevard planting permit is free and issued by the Forestry Division; the tree must be at least 1.5 inches caliper and single-stem and meet spacing rules.
Do I need a permit to remove a dead or dangerous tree in Rochester?
Public trees that are structurally compromised and hazardous are removed at no cost to the requester. The city marks private trees only if they are a hazard to the general public.
How do I apply for a tree permit in Rochester?
Boulevard work permits are issued to licensed tree companies. Forestry contact listed on the permit page: 507-328-2515 or ForestryService@rochestermn.gov.
Do HOA rules matter for tree removal in Rochester?
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.
How current is this Rochester information?
We last checked it on 26 October 2026 against the official sources listed on this page. City rules change, so check the official source or call the city before work starts.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Last checked 26 October 2026.