City Allowing Public to Plant on City Property

The Dubuque City Council recently adopted an amended Street Tree and Landscaping on Public Right-of-Way Policy that now allows property owners to plant and maintain shrubs or other plantings in the public right-of-way, with restrictions on placement and height. Property owners are responsible for trimming and maintaining all plantings so there is no overhang onto, over, or into a sidewalk or street.

When property is developed, property owners dedicate part of the land as “public right-of-way” for streets, sidewalks, utilities and similar public uses.  This area can extend up to10 feet beyond the back of a curb. City Code prohibits private property landscaping, including trees, plants, shrubs, or bushes from obstructing the public right-of-way.  Ground-level shrubs, bushes, plants, trees or other vegetation planted on private property should not grow over or into public right-of-way and must not obstruct view of oncoming traffic, traffic signs/lights or pedestrian walkways. Private plantings hanging above a City street or sidewalk must be trimmed to 10 feet clearance over a sidewalk and 14 feet over a roadway.

Liability arising from the plantings is the responsibility of the property owner. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this policy may result in a municipal infraction.

Property owners may not plant trees between the curb and sidewalk on public right-of-way. Requests for trees to be planted in public right-of-way must be submitted to the City’s Leisure Services Department.

More information about trees and landscaping in public right-of-way, including the complete policy, is available at www.cityofdubuque.org/trees or by calling 563-589-4263.