Apply for a Permit - City of Longmont

Apply for a Permit

Departments » Departments E-M » Forestry » City Maintained Trees and Services

Apply for a Permit to Work on a City-Owned Tree

If you are proposing work (pruning, removal or plant health care) be done on a City owned and maintained tree, or a tree be planted in a City right-of-way (ROW) you must have a permit. The cost of the work proposed would be incurred by the party proposing the work. The City of Longmont is not responsible for any costs of work associated with an approved permit. You must be the owner of the property adjacent to the City ROW where work is being proposed. Work cannot take place until a permit signed by the Director of Public Works and Natural Resources or a designee is returned to you.

Steps:

  • Fill out the online permit on this page.
  • Once you have submitted the permit, you will receive an email within five business days from Forestry Services letting you know if your permit will be approved, denied, or if Forestry Services has further questions.

  • If your permit is approved:

    • You will receive an email with a signed copy of the permit. Work cannot take place until you have received this signed permit.  
    • Your permit is only valid for the time stated on the permit. If the work does not take place within this time and you still wish to continue with it, you will need to fill out another permit.
    • Once the work has been completed you must let Forestry Services know by emailing serviceworks@longmontcolorado.gov or the Forestry staff you have been working with.

  • If your permit is denied:

    • You will receive an email stating the reason your permit was denied, and next steps (if any).
    • If your permit is denied you may not continue with any proposed work.

  • Common reasons a permit is denied:

    • In the opinion of Forestry Services, the work does not need to be performed and could potentially negatively affect the tree.
    • The treatment proposed is not something the City will authorize for use on a City owned and maintained tree.
    • The City of Longmont Forestry Services will perform the work themselves.

Permit to prune, remove, or administer plant health care to a City owned and maintained tree, or install a new tree

Download and print a pdf of this permit.

By submitting a permit request, you are agreeing to the following requirements from the City of Longmont:

For pruning and removal:

  • Contractor hired to perform pruning and removal work must be a City licensed contractor. View a list of licensed tree contractors.
  • Removal of a healthy, high-value tree is subject to Chapter 13.24.110 – Tree Protection, in the City of Longmont Municipal Code. The City Forester will appraise the value of the healthy, high-value tree and mitigation will be required as defined in the Code. View the City Code on tree removal.
  • Removal must include stump grind.

 

For planting:

  • Underground utility locates are the responsibility of the individual performing tree planting. Prior to planting, they will need to contact Colorado 811 to request underground utility locates.
  • Trees shall be planted at least 10 feet offset gas and water services. If the proposed tree planting location conflicts with underground utilities Forestry shall be contacted to approve the new location.
  • All trees proposed to be planted in City property shall be at least 1.5” caliper; and shall be at least a 15-gallon container, balled-and-burlap, or air-pot grown trees. Bare root trees may be utilized but require significant aftercare.
  • The tree(s) must be a species from the Recommended Trees for City of Longmont Regulated Areas. 
  • The applicant shall commit to providing 15 gallons of water to the tree every week during the growing season for the first two years, and additional water as needed.
  • All trees planted on City property are to be maintained by the City of Longmont Forestry Services. The City of Longmont may at its discretion remove or relocate any tree on City property without notice.

 

For plant health care:

  • The company to perform the work must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and follow all appropriate rules and regulations.
  • Soil injections and aerial sprays are prohibited methods of pesticide applications.

 

 

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