Right-of-Way Tree Trimming

City of Orange City Notice to Residents

The City of Orange City has begun reviewing trees located in the public right-of-way to identify branches that are low hanging, obstruct visibility, or create access concerns for vehicles, pedestrians, or city equipment. Trees must be trimmed to provide a minimum clearance of 8 feet above sidewalks and 15 feet above roadways.

Property owners with trees that do not meet this clearance requirement should have received a notice by mail. Residents who have received a notice are asked to complete the required trimming by May 31, 2027.

The city will also share reminders about this process through its newsletter, website, and social media channels so residents have time to plan and complete the work.

Why right-of-way tree trimming is important?

The safety of pedestrians walking on sidewalks and to prevent damage to large trucks, school buses, and emergency vehicles on our streets. It is also to comply with code requirements under Iowa Code Section 364.12.

If the required trimming is not completed by the deadline, the City may arrange for the work to be completed and pass the costs along to the homeowner.

After this initial review and notification process is complete, future complaints related to low-hanging trees will be handled through Cloudpermit as nuisance cases. Residents will receive notification and will have 30 days to correct the issue before the City proceeds with corrective action.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping streets, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way safe and accessible for everyone.