Trees in the City Right of Way (ROW) are the property and responsibility of the City of Albany.  ROWs in Albany are extremely variable, so it is important to consult the Department of Assessment's online tax maps to determine the ROW of your street.  Rarely do rights of way end at the curb or the edge of the sidewalk, so it is important to measure.  For example: the right of way of a street is 90 feet, but the roadway is only 60 feet wide, then the ROW extends 15 feet beyond either side of the roadway  (90’-60’=30’.  30’/2= 15’).

There are neighborhoods in Albany where trees were intentionally planted on the boundary of the ROW and private property.  Such trees are known as “boundary trees.”  Technically, these trees are co-owned and the responsibility of both owners.  When the boundary is a City ROW, the City assumes responsibility for the care and maintenance of the tree.

Yes, a Department of General Services  Tree Work Permit is required to prune, plant, or remove a tree within the City Right of Way (ROW).  There is NO FEE to obtain the permit. 

Any City resident may perform MINOR work on the trees in the right of way in front of or adjacent to their home, as long as the work does not do permanent damage to the tree.  No work that requires the use of power tools or a ladder may be performed without a Tree Work Permit.

No, participation in the City’s cost-sharing tree planting program automatically pre-qualifies the work.

The City does not automatically remove healthy trees for root conflicts.  Since tree roots cannot penetrate solid, defect free sewer lines, problems with roots often indicate that the sewer line has failed and needs to be replaced.  The City will inspect the tree and meet with your contractor to discuss the best way to repair the line and preserve the tree.   In the event that there is now way to do this, then removal may be necessary.  This is always the last option and done in conjunction with the sewer repair.