Can the city make me remove a dead tree?

What Nevada law says

Under NRS 472.500, an owner of land in the State Forester Firewarden's jurisdiction must eliminate and remove a fire hazard on the property when directed. If the owner does not comply in the time allowed, the Firewarden may do the work and recover the cost, including by a special assessment against the real property that is collected with property taxes.

The statute does not name dead trees specifically; whether a dead tree counts as a fire hazard is for the agency to decide. It also does not say which parcels are within the jurisdiction, so ask the Nevada Division of Forestry.

Other places an order can come from

Fire districts inspect and send notices. The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District says a defensible space inspection may follow a notice from the district, an insurance need or a homeowner's own request. HOAs enforce covenants on dead trees in many neighborhoods. We did not read city nuisance codes for this page, so ask your city if you have received a notice.

In all these cases, the agency decides, and the notice usually states a deadline. Read it carefully and keep a copy.

If you get a notice

Do not wait for the deadline. Call the agency, ask what exactly it wants removed and whether it will accept pruning or only removal. At Lake Tahoe, a dead tree that could fall on a house needs no TRPA permit.

The arborist can tell you whether the tree is actually dead and what it could hit. A tree that looks bare in winter may not be dead; see how to tell if a tree is dead or dying. Our estimate is free and can be shown to the agency: call 775.232.8243.