Kansas City area · Property & construction
A city guide to tree documentation, protection and replacement. Start with your location, then look at the work you are planning.
Before you start
A required tree plan depends on the proposed work and the trees affected. An addition, a teardown and an ordinary tree-removal request can follow different rules. A city missing from this guide should never be read as having no requirements.
Use this guide to prepare for a conversation with the reviewing city. Confirm jurisdiction, zoning, project scope and any site-specific approvals before clearing or demolition. This is general information, not a permit determination or legal opinion.
Kansas
A protected-tree removal permit with an arborist-verified survey.
Coverage includes new development, redevelopment altering protected trees, new plat applications and right-of-way trees. Exemptions include trees below 2-inch DBH and trees below 10-inch DBH on established single-family residential properties, plus specified utility, nursery, emergency and condition cases.
Source: § 4.04.BUnless exempt, protected-tree removal requires an approved permit. An approved development-plan tree survey may serve as the application. Submittals require certified-arborist verification, a scaled tree survey and a tree list with identification, species, size, retention/removal and mitigation information.
Source: § 4.04.CMitigation varies with tree size. The code permits combinations of qualifying on-site preservation and replacement; payment instead requires the stated circumstances and approvals. Exemption and authorization come before any calculation.
Source: § 4.04.DThe condition exemption requires a certified arborist’s written determination submitted to the Community Development Director. A property owner’s own assessment is not the specified documentation.
Source: § 4.04.B.2.bBefore you proceedConfirm coverage and exemptions, then document protected trees before applying for removal or development approval.
Missouri
Development review centered on tree canopy, with important exemptions.
Triggers include land-disturbance permits involving at least one acre; specified development plans, project plans, special use permits and preliminary plats; and certain building-permit applications disturbing more than 10,000 square feet.
Source: § 88-424-02A building permit for one detached single-family house on one previously platted lot is expressly exempt. Other exceptions include qualifying earlier approvals and projects with a professional certification that no tree canopy will be affected. Check the full exemption list.
Source: § 88-424-03Covered projects require existing-conditions and preservation/mitigation plans, which may be combined. The code lists ISA certified arborists, SAF certified foresters, professional engineers and Missouri-registered landscape architects as plan preparers.
Source: § 88-424-06The canopy provisions address contiguous tree cover of at least one acre. If qualifying canopy cannot be preserved, mitigation can combine planting and payment under the ordinance. Required protection goes in before disturbance, demolition or construction.
Source: §§ 88-424-04, -05 and -11Before you proceedConfirm the project’s permit path, exemptions and canopy area before treating this as an individual-tree replacement rule.
Kansas
Development tree plans and separate street-tree construction protections.
The landscaping section covers new construction and redevelopment requiring development-plan approval; the Agricultural District is exempt. Depending on the site and work, the city may require a landscape plan, tree inventory and/or preservation plan.
Source: §§ 16-4-7.1 and 16-4-7.5Required plans and inventories must be prepared and sealed by a Kansas-registered landscape architect. Preservation plans also require ISA Certified Arborist review and approval. An arborist’s field inventory alone does not replace the required seal.
Source: § 16-4-7.5Within the Other Districts landscaping provision, trees larger than 12-inch DBH removed from the site are subject to caliper-based replacement. The section includes infrastructure, species-list and condition exceptions, credits and a conditional deviation. Confirm its application to the project.
Source: § 16-4-7.3.EStreet trees have some trunk within the right-of-way. Protection zones are required for new residences on vacant lots, teardowns, footprint additions over 400 square feet and remodels removing more than 10 percent of the existing structure in connection with new construction. Barriers must precede construction.
Source: §§ 13-401(b) and 13-402ABefore you proceedDistinguish development-site requirements from street-tree duties, and involve the required landscape architect early.
Missouri
A tree conservation plan before development-related clearing.
The tree conservation provision requires a plan before grading, bulldozing or other vegetation removal that may affect existing tree coverage. Its required contents describe the development site and disturbance limits.
Source: § 8.740.AThe full plan identifies significant trees and other trees at least 10 inches in caliper that will remain or be removed, along with utilities, disturbance limits, conservation areas and relevant grade changes. Smaller trees proposed for credit are also shown.
Source: § 8.740.A.1Single-family and duplex developments are exempt from landscaping requirements under § 8.720.G. That wording does not expressly resolve the separate tree conservation provision. Have the city determine its application to a particular residential project.
Source: §§ 8.720.G and 8.740Trees retained to satisfy the division must be protected from injury during grading and construction, using the protective measures needed for the site.
Source: § 8.750.C.4Before you proceedAsk about the tree conservation plan specifically before clearing; a landscaping exemption alone is not a confirmed tree-clearing exemption.
Kansas
Tree documentation at preliminary review and a survey at final-plan review.
The section covers new development and the expansions or modifications specified by the code. The Community Development Director may approve qualifying alternative landscape designs, including adjustments to a subsection’s applicability.
Source: § 4-1-D-2.B–CPreliminary and final plat applications and conceptual and preliminary plan applications need tree and vegetation documentation based on aerial photographs with site verification, or surveys. Proposed removals estimated above 10-inch caliper must be identified by common name.
Source: § 4-1-D-2.I, Required DocumentationAt final-plan application, a survey must locate, name and size trees above 10-inch caliper and distinguish retention from removal. A limited waiver is available for unaffected retained trees where credits are not sought; those areas still must be located on the plan.
Source: § 4-1-D-2.I, Tree SurveyRetained vegetation must be protected from construction activity. The provision calls for temporary fencing at least to the drip line throughout construction, unless the Director approves alternative measures.
Source: § 4-1-D-2.I, Protection of Existing TreesBefore you proceedHave the city identify the application stage and any approved waiver before commissioning the survey.
Kansas
A plan requirement for covered commercial and significant residential projects.
The plan provision names new commercial or significant residential projects. Confirm with the city whether the proposed residential work meets its criteria; this section does not establish a single square-foot threshold that can be applied to every home project.
Source: § 240.460(A) and (B)For covered projects, a Tree Protection and Removal Plan is required before permit issuance when a protected tree is present, the development site plan retains and protects existing trees, or trees will be removed as part of the covered permit application.
Source: § 240.460(B.1)Existing trees with sizes and species, the trees proposed for removal or retention, and the locations of fencing and other required protection measures.
Source: § 240.460(B.2)Protected-tree rules depend on size and location. The code provides replacement requirements, exceptions, and a fee option in specified circumstances where replacement planting would overcrowd trees. Have the city confirm the removal authorization, applicable exception and mitigation before relying on a replacement count or fee.
Source: § 240.460(C), (E), (F) and (H)Before you proceedAsk the city to confirm both the project’s coverage and any mitigation. A fee option is not a general permission to remove a tree.
Kansas
Tree documentation and replacement rules for specified construction projects.
The listed projects are new principal or detached accessory buildings; substantial exterior demolition; additions of more than 600 square feet to a principal or detached accessory building’s footprint; demolition of more than 10 percent of either building; and outdoor recreational facilities that require footing excavation.
Source: § 5-904.AFor applicable work, the code calls for a Tree Protection and Removal Plan before the relevant permit when the property has a protected tree, a development site plan retains and protects existing trees, or trees are proposed for removal with a covered permit application.
Source: § 5-904.B.1Existing trees with their sizes and species, which trees will remain or be removed, and the locations of protection fencing and other required measures.
Source: § 5-904.B.2Protection and replacement depend on tree size and position on the lot. Trees classified as prohibited from removal need written city authorization under the stated exceptions. Separate provisions address diseased or hazardous trees. Required replacement trees are at least 2.5 inches in caliper; the City Administrator approves species and locations and may waive or reduce replacement consistent with the article.
Source: §§ 5-903, 5-904.C and E; 5-905.CBefore you proceedHave the existing trees and proposed disturbance reviewed together before finalizing a building, demolition or excavation plan.
Kansas
Landscape-plan requirements that should not be described as a universal tree survey.
The section applies to final site-development plans and building permits. It excludes agricultural uses in the A district and development in the D Downtown district. Those exclusions are from this section, not from every city requirement.
Source: § 18.30.130.ASubmitted plans must include a landscape plan sealed by a Kansas-licensed landscape architect. The Planning Official may waive the requirement for smaller projects such as expansions, renovations and sign installations.
Source: § 18.30.130.CApproved landscaping carries continuing maintenance and replacement duties. Existing vegetation can be used toward qualifying buffer requirements. These provisions support early tree documentation, but do not by themselves establish a universal arborist-survey requirement.
Source: § 18.30.130.E and JBefore you proceedAsk which landscape-plan, existing-tree information and waiver requirements apply to the actual permit.
Kansas
An explicit survey requirement within the applicable design standards.
The standards address specified development approvals and project categories. Section 4.3’s zoning matrix includes PRN, listed multifamily districts and listed commercial districts. Do not apply it automatically to every detached-house lot.
Source: SDS 3.2.1 and 4.3For projects subject to these standards, developers must submit an existing-tree survey and preservation plan for areas that will be disturbed. The city determines the survey’s extent; the City Forester reviews preservation and replacement plans.
Source: SDS 4.3.5The standards define significant trees and require preservation, transplantation or replacement. Preserved significant trees need construction barriers, and grading is prohibited within the root area or drip line of preserved trees.
Source: SDS 4.3.2–4.3.6A significant tree designated for preservation that is removed or substantially damaged triggers replacement. If site conditions prevent the prescribed replacement, the City Forester must approve an equivalent plan.
Source: SDS 4.3.7Before you proceedConfirm zoning and the applicable approval process before setting the survey scope.
Kansas
Construction triggers depend on zoning and the work proposed.
In R-1A and R-1B districts, the list includes new residential structures on vacant lots, residential teardowns, remodels adding more than 600 square feet of building footprint, and remodels demolishing more than 10 percent of the existing structure in connection with new construction. The section also covers projects subject to the specified landscape standards and right-of-way tree removals, except those authorized by an official city project.
Source: § 19.47.060(a)For applicable projects, a Tree Protection and Removal Plan is required when a protected tree is present, retained trees count toward a development’s landscape requirements, or trees are proposed for removal with a covered building permit.
Source: § 19.47.060(b)Existing trees, their sizes and species, proposed removals and retained trees, and protection fencing and other measures.
Source: § 19.47.060(b)The code assigns protection and mitigation by tree size and location. Trees prohibited from removal require written authorization from the building official under the listed exceptions, which include dead trees, certain diseased or dying trees, and qualifying construction conflicts. The mitigation table specifies replacement requirements.
Source: § 19.47.060(c) and (e)Before you proceedConfirm the zoning district, footprint change and demolition scope. Those details matter before applying the residential thresholds.
Kansas
A preservation plan and survey for covered development.
Coverage includes public trees, nonresidential development requiring a site plan or plat, and land-disturbance projects at the City Manager’s or designee’s discretion. The section lists emergency, utility, agricultural and qualifying earlier-approval exemptions.
Source: § 17.57.220A tree protection and preservation plan is required at final site-plan and/or final-plat review. The survey records location, quantity and DBH for trees at least 10 inches, with permission to omit non-significant trees. Protection, disturbance and mitigation information are also required.
Source: § 17.57.250.AQualifying woodland can use tree-stand delineation with a preservation plan as an alternative. This is subject to the section’s canopy-preservation and environmentally sensitive-area conditions.
Source: § 17.57.250.BCovered significant-tree removals have replacement requirements and a fee alternative under the city’s policy. Retained trees need protection during construction; losses of trees required to be preserved carry replacement duties.
Source: §§ 17.57.215 and 17.57.230Before you proceedCheck the approval history and threshold activity before applying tree-size or mitigation rules to a property.
Kansas
Demolition-stage tree plans and a specific credential for certain removal opinions.
Within the new-infill-house and major-addition provisions, the city requires a tree protection and removal plan with the demolition-permit application, before utility disconnections or site excavation.
Source: § 4.4.2All existing trees with size and species; trees to be retained or removed; and protection-fence locations and other protective measures.
Source: § 4.4.2Removal is limited to the listed conditions. For dead-tree and diseased-or-dying-tree opinions, the text specifically names a third-party ISA Board Certified Master Arborist retained by the owner or applicant. Construction-related removal has separate alternative-design, financial-burden and accommodation criteria.
Source: § 4.4.2The section requires replacement of removed trees, with at least 2-inch caliper, specified placement outside the right-of-way and planting after construction. Infill properties also must contain a front-yard tree.
Source: § 4.4.2Before you proceedConfirm the permit scope and required professional credential. ISA Certified Arborist and Board Certified Master Arborist are different credentials.
Read the source
The summaries above were checked against these published sources on September 20, 2026. The dates below describe the version available from each publisher. A city can adopt changes before its online code is updated.
Mission Hills · City-hosted PDF
Pages 2–7; §§ 5-903, 5-904 and 5-905.C
Adopted February 14, 2022. Compared with the online code, which reports legislation through Ordinance 1706, May 11, 2026.
The PDF opened and its tree-plan, protection and replacement provisions matched the corresponding online code text reviewed on September 20, 2026.
Prairie Village · Official code on Municode
§ 19.47.060(a)–(e), with § 19.47.010(b)
Supplement 20, through Ordinance 2517, February 2, 2026; online version March 23, 2026.
The chapter opened in a browser. Applicability, plan contents, mitigation and removal exceptions were read together. The later ordinances listed on the code home page concern other subjects.
Mission · Official code on eCode360
§ 240.460(A)–(H)
Code includes legislation through June 3, 2026; uploaded August 13, 2026. This section cites Ordinance 1617, November 20, 2024.
The article opened in a browser. Plan conditions, plan contents, protected-tree provisions, replacement exceptions and the conditional fee option were checked.
Mission · City guidance
Explanation of the November 2024 ordinance
The city page describes commercial development and substantial residential development. It is guidance alongside the code, not a separate ordinance.
The page opened and its explanation was checked against § 240.460. Exact residential-project applicability should be confirmed with the city.
Kansas City, Missouri · Official municipal code
§§ 88-424-02 through -06 and -11
Supplement 38, through Ordinance 260478, May 21, 2026; online update August 13, 2026. Tree provisions cite Ordinance 220961 (2023), with a 2024 amendment to the fund section.
Live chapter and code home opened. Applicability, exemptions, canopy threshold, plan preparation and protection were read together. Later ordinance titles displayed on the home page were also reviewed.
Lee’s Summit · Official municipal code
§§ 8.720, 8.740 and 8.750
Supplement 16, Update 1, through Ordinance 10398, June 2, 2026; online update September 1, 2026. § 8.740 cites Ordinance 9782, November 14, 2023.
The live article and code home opened. Tree conservation plan contents and timing were read alongside the separate landscaping-plan provision and its residential exemption.
Overland Park · Official design standards on enCodePlus
SDS 3.2.1 and 4.3.1–4.3.7
Official online design-standards book bears a September 23, 2009 heading. The page does not provide a reliable consolidated amendment-through date; its generic 1901 effective-date fields are not used here.
HTTP 200 and readable browser content. Development categories, the zoning applicability matrix, survey requirement, protection and replacement were checked together.
Lenexa · Official municipal code
§ 4-1-D-2.B, C and I
Publisher home reports most recent amendment July 1, 2026. Generic 1901 effective-date fields on individual sections are not treated as adoption dates.
HTTP 200 and readable browser content. Applicability, preliminary documentation, final-plan survey, waiver conditions and protection measures were checked.
Leawood · City-hosted PDF
Article 4, printed pages 60–66; §§ 16-4-7.1, 16-4-7.3.E and 16-4-7.5
City-hosted 280-page PDF reviewed. Replacement section cites Ordinance 3178, June 16, 2025. No consolidated amendment-through date is asserted.
The linked PDF was retrieved and read through the web document reader. Plan scope, professional credentials, replacement exceptions and credits were checked. Direct scripted download returned HTTP 403.
Leawood · City-hosted PDF
§§ 13-401(b) and 13-402A; PDF pages 2–4
Seven-page city-hosted PDF includes 2025 amendments elsewhere in the article. The construction-protection provision cites Ordinance 3108, January 3, 2023.
The linked PDF was retrieved and read through the web document reader. Street-tree definition and the four construction triggers were checked. Direct scripted download returned HTTP 403.
Olathe · Official municipal code
§ 18.30.130.A–C, E and J
UDO reports current through Ordinance 26-27, June 2, 2026. Section history includes Ordinance 22-22, 2022.
Live section opened. Applicability, exclusions, professional-plan requirement, smaller-project waiver and maintenance were checked. No universal tree-survey claim is made.
Shawnee · Official municipal code
§§ 17.57.215–17.57.250
Online version July 16, 2026. The tree-preservation sections cite Ordinance 3404, 2021.
Live chapter opened. Threshold activities, earlier-approval exemptions, final-plan survey, woodland alternative and mitigation were read together.
Bonner Springs · City-hosted PDF
§ 4.04.B–E; printed pages 121–124
City document URL identifies the May 2026 amended edition; page footers retain the December 18, 2023 adoption date.
HTTP 200, a 24.7 MB PDF, with a readable text layer. Applicability, exemptions, permit/survey contents, credentials, mitigation and protection were checked. The web reader’s size limit was handled by reading the downloaded official PDF.
Westwood · Official municipal code
§ 4.4.2, within New Infill Houses and Major Additions
Live section history: adopted by Ordinance 1050, August 14, 2025; amended by Ordinance 1063, November 18, 2025.
Deep link opened to the actual section. Demolition-plan timing, plan contents, removal conditions, named professional credential and replacement were checked. The awkward structural-deficiency clause is not generalized here.
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