TL;DR (generated, confidence: high)

A Tree Root Pruning Permit is required for street trees in Portland to prune roots 1/4 inch or larger, but not for private trees. The sidewalk must first be lifted and a separate sidewalk permit obtained from the Bureau of Transportation before requesting the permit.

Key points:

Street trees require permit to prune roots >= 1/4 inch at attachment in City right-of-way (typically between curb and sidewalk) (Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗)
No permit required for root pruning on private property (Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗)
Sidewalk must be lifted and tree roots exposed before permit request; separate sidewalk permit required from Bureau of Transportation (Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗)
Sidewalk permit requested via PBOTSidewalkPermits@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7002 (Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗)
Required applicant information: site address, tree locations, tree count, sidewalk permit affidavit number, name, phone, property relationship (Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗)
Submit via DevHub online or by mail to Tree Permitting, 1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 5000, Portland, Oregon 97201 (Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗)

Tree Root Pruning Permits

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Source: Tree Root Pruning Permits ↗ Last modified: Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:11:32 GMT

When is a root pruning permit required?

Street trees ↗: A permit is required to prune roots greater than or equal to 1/4 inch at the attachment on any tree in the City right-of-way, which is typically between the curb and sidewalk.
- The sidewalk must be lifted, and the tree roots exposed, before you request a Tree Root Pruning Permit.
- Request a sidewalk permit ↗ from the Bureau of Transportation by emailing PBOTSidewalkPermits@portlandoregon.gov or calling 503-823-7002.
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Private trees: No permit is required to root-prune a tree on private property.

Research

Make sure to read the Street Tree Root Pruning Permit FAQs ↗

Have the following information available:

The address of the site
The location of the trees on the site (i.e. if it is a corner lot, name the street where the trees are for inspection)
The number of trees you request an inspection for
The sidewalk permit affidavit number
Your name, phone number, and relationship to the property (i.e. if you are a contractor or the property owner, etc.)

Complete the forms

Need Help Using Electronic Documents? ↗

Submit the forms

Online

Upload the completed application forms online, using DevHub:

Appy on DevHub ↗

By mail

Mail to:

Tree Permitting
1900 SW 4th Ave., Suite 5000
Portland, Oregon 97201

Include:

Tree Pruning Application