Private Tree Removal Permits
Updated as of 1-11-2024.
The City of Sisters is a Tree City USA as designated by the Arbor Day Foundation. As a Tree City USA participant, Sisters, Oregon has an Urban Forestry Board, Urban Forestry Management Plan, a contracted City Forester, and a Tree Ordinance (ORD 376). The preservation of both publicly-owned trees and private trees in Sisters is important to the community, but it is understood that sometimes a tree may die or get diseased which can create potential hazards if not responsibly removed.
As of January 1, 2024, the City has adopted a new ordinance outlining a permit process for removal of private trees. If you are considering removal of a significant tree on your private property, you will need to receive City approval first.
What is the Process for a Private Tree Removal Permit?
1) Determine if the private tree is a "Significant Tree".
- A "Significant Tree" is any tree with a trunk diameter of 8” or more as measured 4.5 feet from the ground (aka breast height).
- DBH is the acronym for "diameter at breast height".
- If the private tree less than 8" DBH, it is not regulated by the City code and does not require a Private Tree Removal Permit prior to removal.
- If the private tree is 8"+ DBH, then it is a significant tree that requires a Private Tree Removal Permit prior to removal.
NOTE: If you are not sure if the tree is located on public or private property, please call the City of Sisters to get confirmation: 541-549-6022.
2) Determine if the private tree is eligible for removal.
- Contact an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist to conduct a tree health assessment for the significant tree.
- If the tree is determined to be dead, dying, diseased, injured and/or hazardous to life, property, utilities, or other improvements, then it is eligible for a Private Tree Removal Permit.
- If you have other reasons for removing the tree, or you are not sure if your tree may be eligible for a tree removal permit, please call the City of Sisters to ask a City planner: 541-549-6022.
3) Submit a Private Tree Removal Permit Application
- Fill out the Private Tree Removal Permit Application Form. Use this form here.
- Provide a Site Map. This could be an aerial photo of your property with property boundaries, or rough site map showing which tree is proposed for removal. Deschutes County Dial Interactive Map can be a great resource for aerial imagery: https://dial.deschutes.org/
- Include the Tree Report prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist.
- Submit your application to the City. You can submit your application by dropping it off at City Hall; or mail it to PO Box 39, Sisters, OR 97759; or email it to a City Planner (click here to email your application).
4) The City will review your application submittal and make a determination. Depending on the complexity of the request, please expect the City to take approximately 1-3 weeks to complete review of the permit application.
Still have questions? A City Planner would be happy to help! Contact Emme Shoup, Associate Planner: 541-323-5216; eshoup@ci.sisters.or.us
