High Risk Tree/Standing Dead Tree

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Ordinance 6-2 Tree Management - Nuisance, Disease, and Insect Control

Calls for the removal of any Tree that "Any tree creating a public hazard whether the tree is on public or private property, and without regard for any damage to the tree." and, "Any standing dead trees or dead brush." are to be mitigated within 100 feet of developled\utalized areas.

*City enforcement for high risk and dead standing trees has changed that the tree must be a threat to the general public. I.e. The tree can fall into the street, sidewalk, or other right of way/city owned infrastructure.

For information on your rights as a homeowner please see Minnesota Tree Law from the University of Minnesota Extension.

For more information a Hazard Tree Fact Sheet is available.

Additional Information:

Tree Removal Financial Assistance Program

**There is no current funding left for the 2024 year. The program will be revisited in 2025.**

In partnership with Community Development, Rochester Parks and Recreation has federal funding within the CDBG Program to assist qualified property owners cover the expenses associated with removing hazardous trees. This program is only available to owner‑occupied properties. In order to qualify, the Parks and Recreation Department must have identified a high-risk tree pursuant to Ordinance 6-2 of the Rochester Code of Ordinances. Additionally, the gross household income of the occupants of the property must be at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). Applications must be submitted within the 20-day violation notice timeframe.

Download application for additional Information. Tree Removal Financial Assistance Program Application

High Risk Tree

All High Risk Trees marked with a Orange ‘X’ have been declared a public nuisance according to City Ordinance 6-2. The marked tree(s) must be removed within 20 days from the date printed on this notice. The property owner must manage the removal of all marked trees or abate the nuisance as described above. The removal does not require the removal of the stump. If the property owner fails to remove a marked tree within the specified time frame, the City will manage the removal.

The City will obtain unit1 bids from licensed and insured contractors for the removal of the marked trees. The cost for removal of the marked tree will not be known until the City requests quotations from contractors for the removal. Tree removal will not include removal of the stump. The property owner will be billed for the removal and disposal costs incurred by the City as well as an administrative fee of $37.50 for each property identified on this notice. Property owners who wish to obtain more specific information relative to the removal procedure, or if you no longer own the property, or this notice was sent to you in error, please contact the Forestry Division.

Standing Dead Tree

All High Risk Trees marked with a Orange ‘X’ have been declared a public nuisance according to City Ordinance 6-2 . The marked tree(s) must be removed within 20 days from the date printed on this notice. The property owner must manage the removal of all marked trees or abate the nuisance as described above. The removal does not require the removal of the stump.

If the property owner fails to remove a marked tree within the specified time frame, the City will manage the removal.

The City will obtain unit1 bids from licensed and insured contractors for the removal of the marked trees. The cost for removal of the marked tree will not be known until the City requests quotations from contractors for the removal. Tree removal will not include removal of the stump. The property owner will be billed for the removal and disposal costs incurred by the City as well as an administrative fee of $37.50 for each property identified on this notice. Property owners who wish to obtain more specific information relative to the removal procedure, or if you no longer own the property, or this notice was sent to you in error, please contact the Forestry Division.

1Unit bids are defined as costs for removal of each marked tree.