City of Johnston Ordinance #501
Adopted in May, 1999
Shortened Version - For full version please Check with Johnston City Hall

Trees may be planted in the area between the street and the sidewalk(right-of-way) if the distance between the sidewalk and the street is at least eight feet. No tree shall be planted within four feet of an impervious surface such as a sidewalk, curb, or street. On corner lots trees may only be planted 25' away, in any direction, from the intersection at the curb line. No trees shall be planted within fifteen lateral feet of an overhead utility line, five lateral feet from water and sanitary sewer lines, ten feet from fire hydrants, five feet from a driveway, or twenty-five feet from a traffic control sign.

The following is a list of acceptable trees to be planted in the right-of-way:

Sugar Maple
Hackberry
Gingko (male)
Crabapple (columnar)
English Oak
Freeman Maple
White Ash
Thornless Honey Locust
American Hop Hornbeam
Little Leaf Linden
Green Columnar Maple
Green Ash
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Burr Oak
Silver Linden

The following is a list of trees that are not acceptable for street trees due to their shape, durability, and hardiness to climate or root characteristics and shall not be planted in the right-of-way:

Cottonwood
Weeping Willow
Any Evergreens
Box Elder
Poplars
Silver Maple
Gingko (female)

Questions on the suitability of trees not listed in either list should be directed to the Johnston Tree Board.

Any person violating any of the provisions shall be punished as provided in chapter 1.08 of the Johnston Municipal Code.