--- title: Who Is Responsible for the Street Tree in Front of My House? url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-is-responsible-for-the-street-tree/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Questions and answers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/) - [Permits and rules](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) - Who is responsible for the street tree in front of my house? # Who is responsible for the street tree in front of my house? If the tree stands in the public right-of-way, the city or county that owns the street decides what is done to it, even when it grows next to your yard. In Reno that means a Tree Work Permit and a Certified Arborist; in Carson City, check with Public Works. ## How to tell whose tree it is The planter strip between the sidewalk and the curb is usually right-of-way. A tree set back behind the sidewalk is more often on your lot. Lot lines and right-of-way lines can differ from what the pavement suggests, so check the parcel map or ask the city. Do not prune or remove a tree in the strip on the assumption that it is yours. Ask the agency responsible for the street first. ## Who to ask in each place City of Reno: Urban Forestry requires a Tree Work Permit for work in City right-of-way or on City property, and a Certified Arborist must do the work. Its number on the tree FAQ page is 775-321-8373. Within 10 feet of a publicly owned tree, the Urban Forester must be contacted before any digging. Carson City: Public Works, which handles street maintenance, is the office to ask about a tree in the right-of-way. Sparks eliminated its urban forestry program in 2008, so call the city for a street tree there. Washoe County cares for trees in county parks. ## What you can do now Report a hazard to the owner: a limb over the street, a leaning trunk or a branch on a line. If a tree is on a power line, stay away and call NV Energy. If anyone is hurt, call 911. For a street tree that is clearly yours to deal with, or a tree in the right-of-way where a Certified Arborist is required, our two ISA Certified Arborists can look at it and give you a free estimate. The permit stays with the agency. See [permits in Reno](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-reno/) or call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). ### Sources - [City of Reno: Urban Forestry tree FAQs](https://www.reno.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation-community-services/urban-forestry/tree-faqs) (read October 17, 2026) - [Truckee Meadows Water Authority: Local Tree Ordinances](https://tmwa.com/article/local-tree-ordinances/) (read October 17, 2026) - [Carson City Public Works: Street Maintenance](https://www.carsoncity.gov/government/departments-g-z/public-works/divisions/street-maintenance) (recorded October 1, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Reno?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-reno/) - [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Carson City?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-carson-city/) - [Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Northern Nevada?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-removal-permits-northern-nevada/) - [Trees and power lines in NV Energy territory](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/trees-and-power-lines-nv-energy/) - [Permits and rules questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) ### Terms on this page [Right-of-way](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/right-of-way/) [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ### All permits and rules questions - [Permits and rules questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) ## More permits and rules questions [Does Battle Born Tree Service handle permits?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/does-battle-born-handle-tree-permits/) [Can I trim my neighbor's branches that hang over my yard?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-i-trim-my-neighbors-branches/) [Who owns a tree on the property line?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-owns-a-tree-on-the-property-line/) [Can the city make me remove a dead tree?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-the-city-make-me-remove-a-dead-tree/) [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Reno?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-reno/) [Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Carson City?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/permit-to-remove-a-tree-in-carson-city/) [Previous question: Who owns a tree on the property line?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/who-owns-a-tree-on-the-property-line/) [Next question: Can the city make me remove a dead tree?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/can-the-city-make-me-remove-a-dead-tree/)