New Street Tree Rules + 2025 Sidewalk Pilot Program

On June 16, 2025, the Leawood Governing Body approved an updated Street Tree Ordinance designed to preserve our city’s tree canopy while adding flexibility and clarity.

These street tree requirements are now in affect and include:

• Permit + replacement plan required: Street trees may only be removed if they are hazardous, dead, diseased, or if construction requires it—and must be replaced with an approved species. A Right-of-Way permit is still needed for street tree removal, which must now be accompanied by a tree replacement plan.

• Defined spacing rules: Medium trees must be planted 30 feet apart; large trees, 40 feet.

• New planting options for narrow tree lawns: Replanting is now allowed in lawns as narrow as 6.5 feet, if certain conditions are met.

• HOA-friendly permitting: HOAs can now submit up to 50 street tree removal requests in one ROW permit for neighborhood-wide effort.

In addition, the City is launching a pilot sidewalk replacement program in 2025 to support residents as these new rules take effect.

Here’s what to know about the pilot sidewalk program:

• Applies to trees removed and replaced between January and December 2025 with a valid Right-of-Way (ROW) Permit.

• Public Works will replace up to 16 feet of sidewalk panels adjacent to the new tree at no cost to the homeowner.

• Sidewalk work may take up to 3 months after planting to allow efficient scheduling.

• City crews will complete the concrete work, topsoil, and seeding.

• Homeowners are responsible for watering.

We encourage you to share this information with your residents. Please visit leawood.org/streettrees for the full ordinance, FAQs, application forms, and details on the sidewalk pilot program.

If you have questions, please contact the Public Works Department directly. Thank you for helping us keep Leawood’s neighborhoods safe, beautiful, and tree-lined.