Skip to main content

Vegetation removal and trimming

Utilities, public/private parties and municipalities occasionally make requests to the MDOT to trim or remove trees, brush and/or vegetation from specific areas of the state highway right of way. Vegetation may have value both monetarily and aesthetically to MDOT. Therefore, all tree, brush and vegetation trimming and/or removal within limited access right of way shall be reviewed to ensure MDOT retains the value.

Requests for vegetation removal for billboards shall comply with the billboard vegetation removal/trimming permit.

All other requests for tree, brush and vegetation trimming and/or removal require a permit through the Construction Permit System and shall comply with the following procedures:

  • Permits for trimming or removing vegetation require the permit applicant to remove all cut vegetation. However, the adjacent property owner shall be offered the cut vegetation prior to removal within easement or statutory right of way. The adjacent property owner shall not be charged a fee for permits pertaining to tree trimming and/or removal where MDOT has an easement.
  • Tree, brush and vegetation trimming and/or removal shall be done according to the International Society of Arboricultural guidelines and/or the recommendations of the local MDOT region resource specialist.

All construction permit applications are submitted and purchased through the MDOT Permit Gateway.