Yard Waste Site

The brush and soft yard waste site is located at 1128 Swift Street, (southwest intersection of Saint Julien and Swift Streets) with access off West Swift Street.  Please remember that an "Access Pass" is required when accessing the site to drop off branches, brush and soft yard waste or to pick up compost or woodchips.  The yard waste site is open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The City is requiring that all customers use their "Access Pass" in order to enter and use the yard waste site.

Residents

In the spring of 2023 all residents will be mailed an "Access Pass" (green sticker). Each utility customer will receive one green window sticker, to put in the upper corner of the driver's side front window.  If you have two vehicles that are used to access the yard waste site you may purchase additional stickers for $5 per sticker from the Finance Office located at 227 South Front Street.  Please note: Last years orange stickers will no longer work.

Non-Residents

Non-Residents still have the option to use the City's yard waste site as the City Council recently adopted a user's fee of $250 annually (January - December) to obtain an "Access Pass".  With payment each non-resident receives one sticker that must be placed in the upper corner of the driver's window. The colored "Access Pass" allows for identification that as a non-resident you have permission to use the City's yard waste site.  Access passes can be purchased through the Finance Office located at 227 South Front Street; if you have multiple vehicles that you wish to provide access to the yard waste site additional stickers can be obtained for $5 per sticker and can be purchased at the Finance Office.

Yard Maintenance Contractors 

The City Council also adopted user fees for contractors who wish to use the City's yard waste site for grass clippings and leaves from within the community.  Dumping yard waste from outside the City's limits without an "Access Pass" is illegal. An "Access Pass" fee of $300 annually (January - December) can be obtained from the Community Development Department  located at 227 South Front Street. This "Access Pass" will allow for the Contractor to dispose of grass clippings and leaves only.  If you have more than one vehicle requiring access, additional stickers can be purchased for $5 per sticker and can be purchased at the Community Development Department.

Tree Workers (must be Licensed)

If you need assistance caring for your trees and are thinking of hiring a contractor, we encourage you to check with the City before hiring someone. Only tree workers who have City licenses area allowed to operate in the community.  This licensing procedure involves providing proof of insurance and bonding in order to protect our citizens. If you hire an unlicensed contractor you may have no recourse should you need it.

Because of the high influx of branches and trees the City now has an annual disposal fee of $545 for Tree Workers wishing to access and dispose of branches and trees at the yard waste site located at 1128 Swift Street.  Residents who haul their own trees to the site may still access the site under their residential access pass for no additional charge. Tree Workers wishing to have additional vehicles access the disposal site may purchase stickers for $5 and can be obtained and paid for at the same time as registering for your annual Tree Workers License at the Community Development Department located at 227 South Front Street. Please call 507-934-0661 before hiring a contractor to verify that your tree worker is licensed!

Licensed Tree Workers

Forestry

Emerald Ash Borer

In the fall of 2018, the City of Saint Peter Council passed the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Management Plan. We are all stewards of the urban forest within Saint Peter, and the city encourages property owners to be proactive and vigilant for EAB. The more trained eyes who have knowledge of EAB the earlier it can be detected and the more management options the City will have to mitigate against EAB.  For more information...

Emerald Ash Borer is in Nicollet County and the Public Works staff is working to determine the quality, quantity and density of existing ash trees within the City. Staff has modeled the ash tree and urban forest inventory on our geographical information system (GIS). Our plan is to be proactive to mitigate the spread of EAB in our community by spreading the physical and fiscal costs associated with the outbreak of EAB over and extended time frame as detailed within the EAB management plan.

Per the information collected from the GIS modeling, it has been deemed that the boulevard trees(s) adjacent to your property are to be removed. Any questions or concerns please contact the Maintenance Superintendent by phone 507-934-0670 or by e-mail joels@saintpetermn.gov.

Tree Pruning 2022-2023

Tree Pruning Map (PDF)

Tree Planting Regulations

Trees provide a beautiful landscape for our community. To help ensure a healthy and diverse urban forest, the City Council has established regulations which identify where and what trees can be planted in the community.

If you are thinking of planting new trees, please remember State law requires you to contact Gopher State One Call by dialing 811 at least 48 hours before doing any mechanical digging on the boulevard or in your yard!

Boulevard / Public Right-of-Way Trees

Boulevards are City-owned properties abutting any public street and the City has control and supervision over all shrubs and trees planted upon or overhanging all streets or other public property and right-of-ways. Occasionally the public may wish to plant trees in the boulevard. This is permitted if the property owner obtains authorization from the City Forester before planting. The applicant will be required to specify the type and size of tree and the location of where the tree will be planted.

When planting on the boulevard, the trees shall be planted:

1. At intersections and for conifer trees, at least forty feet from the backside of the curb, or the edge of the roadway if no curb.
2. At intersections and for deciduous trees, at least thirty feet from the backside of the curb, or the edge of the roadway if no curb.
3. At least ten feet from driveways and alleys.
4. At least forty feet on center for all large trees.
5. At least thirty feet on center for all medium trees.
6. At least twenty-five feet on center for all small trees.
7. At least ten feet from a fire hydrant.
8. From the backside of the curb, a minimum distance of six feet (in a direction away from the street).
9. A minimum distance of ten feet (in a direction away from the street) from the edge of the roadway, or from the backside of the curb where no sidewalks are present or anticipated.
10. All deciduous trees at the time of planting on City property or public right-of-way shall be cultivated nursery stock with straight trunks not less than six feet high.
11. All conifer trees at the time of planting on City property or public right-of-way shall be cultivated nursery stock with straight trunks not less than three feet high.
12. No person shall plant shrubs within twenty feet from the backside of the curb or within the public right-of-way. (A "shrub" is any plant material that has several stems growing up from the ground)

Types of Trees Allowed

Only the following trees are allowed to be planted on the boulevard.