Homeowners are responsible for trimming any trees on their property that overhang the adjacent street or sidewalk. Overgrown limbs can block sight lines for drivers, catch on trucks and buses, and create tripping or clearance hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles. Bushes and shrubs on personal property also need to be trimmed so they do not impede the use of sidewalks by residents of the community.
To help guide trimming, Pinellas County Public Works maintains county-owned right-of-way trees to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) clearance standard, and the same benchmark is a good rule of thumb for trees on private lots that extend over public streets and sidewalks:
- 13 feet 6 inches (13.5 ft) minimum clearance over roadways
- 10 feet minimum clearance over sidewalks
What to check:
- Do any limbs hang low enough to touch a passing vehicle, trash truck, or school bus?
- Do branches crowd the sidewalk at head height for a walker or someone pushing a stroller?
- Has growth since last season closed the gap below these minimums?
If your trees need attention, a licensed, insured tree service can trim to the correct height safely. If you’re unsure whether a tree is on your property or in the county right-of-way, contact Pinellas County Public Works at (727) 464-8900 before doing any trimming near the street.
Keeping this clearance isn’t just tidy — it’s a safety issue for everyone who uses our streets and sidewalks. Thank you for doing your part to keep our neighborhood safe and accessible.
Questions about a specific tree or right-of-way boundary? Reach out to the HOA office and we’ll help point you in the right direction.