Utility trimming and easements: what the statutes and commissions say

This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. It is for tree owners and describes rules for utilities, which differ by state and country. It does not say who wins a dispute. The guide on who is responsible for a tree touching power lines covers who clears which line, and the guide on utility line clearance covers the trade.

What a right-of-way is

Missouri's Public Service Commission rule on electrical corporation vegetation management standards, 20 CSR 4240-23.030, defines a right-of-way as less than a fee interest in property that gives a public utility a limited right to use land owned by someone else to transmit or distribute electricity. The rule says this right is typically memorialized in an easement. The rule's minimum clearances apply to the extent permitted by easements or other authority. It sets 15 feet, or the edge of the right-of-way if that is less, for conductors above 50,000 volts, and 10 feet, or the edge of the right-of-way if less, for conductors from 600 to 50,000 volts. For an imminent threat, it says a utility that must cross land where it holds no easement or other legal authorization is to make reasonable efforts to obtain the necessary permission.

Missouri: notice

The same rule says a utility makes a diligent attempt to notify affected property owners or occupants, and that notice at least 7 days but not more than 90 days before planned work satisfies this. It lists direct mailing, door hanger, postcard, bill insert, personal contact or another approved method, and requires a record of the notices. The rule also requires the utility to employ a vegetation manager and post that person's name and contact details on its website and on the notices.

Maryland: notice and complaints

Maryland's regulation COMAR 20.50.12.09 says its requirements apply to the extent not limited by contract rights, property rights or any controlling law. It requires a vegetation management program that covers, among other things, public and customer notice and a review of complaints. The regulation says notice to the owner or occupant counts if given at least 7 days but not more than 120 days before cyclical planned work, by direct mailing, door hanger, postcard or personal contact, not solely by bill insert, and with the contact details of a dedicated group. For residential tree removals readily identified in advance, the utility is to contact the customer or owner to discuss the removal before work. The utility is to give the customer or owner the option of direct communication with a vegetation management representative within 7 business days. The utility must record occasions when it seeks to remove a tree or limb but cannot because permission or cooperation was not obtained.

Indiana: notice and the informal complaint route

An Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission order approved May 20, 2026 sets out the commission's reading of its vegetation management rule, 170 IAC 4-9. The order says any individual or entity may informally complain to the commission's Consumer Affairs Division about any matter within its jurisdiction, and that the commission can review a division decision on request. It quotes section 5 of the rule: at least 60 calendar days before a utility changes a line to a higher voltage, it gives notice to the affected customer if the change will alter where vegetation management is needed, with the notice listing items including new vegetation restrictions and changes to the owner's easement or right-of-way. A footnote says the similar notice rule in section 4 asks for at least two calendar weeks.

England, Wales and Scotland: Electricity Act 1989, Schedule 4 paragraph 9

Paragraph 9 of Schedule 4 applies where a tree is so close to an electric line or plant that it obstructs the installation, maintenance or working of the line, or is an unacceptable source of danger. The licence holder may give notice to the occupier of the land requiring the tree to be felled or lopped or its roots cut back, subject to payment of the expenses reasonably incurred in complying. If the occupier is not the owner, a copy goes to the owner. If within 21 days the notice is not complied with and no counter notice is given, the licence holder may do the work. A counter notice objecting within 21 days sends the matter to the Secretary of State, who may make such order as he thinks just, including on expenses. The paragraph says the licence holder carries out the work in accordance with good arboricultural practice, doing as little damage as possible to trees, fences, hedges and crops, removes the cuttings as the owner or occupier directs and makes good any damage to the land. It says "tree" includes any shrub.

At a glance

Place	Notice	Complaint route in the text read
Missouri	7 to 90 days before planned work	Not in the rule text read
Maryland	7 to 120 days before cyclical work	Utility reviews complaints; route to the commission not in the regulation text read
Indiana	Two calendar weeks (section 4) or 60 days for line upgrades (section 5)	Informal complaint to the commission's Consumer Affairs Division
England, Wales and Scotland	Notice to occupier, 21 days to comply or counter-notice	Counter notice goes to the Secretary of State

This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, from legislation.gov.uk.

Who to call

Your electric utility: notice of planned work and a vegetation management contact; Maryland's regulation requires a dedicated group's contact details on notices
Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, Consumer Affairs Division: informal complaints about a utility in Indiana, per the commission's order
Official bodies by country: the directory of regulators and offices