Tree Service · Permits

Tree removal permits

Whether you need a permit to remove a tree is decided by your city or county, not by any state or national rule, and the answer can differ between neighboring towns. The reliable way to find out is to call your local planning, urban forestry, or city arborist office with your address, the tree's species and its trunk diameter. That call is free.

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There is no national tree removal law. What exists is a patchwork of municipal ordinances, county rules, HOA covenants, subdivision plat conditions and occasionally state or federal habitat protections. Many cities protect trees above a threshold trunk diameter measured at breast height, and some protect specific species regardless of size. Some rules apply only to street trees in the right-of-way; some apply to everything on the lot.

The trees most likely to be regulated are the ones people most want removed: large mature specimens, street trees, trees on slopes or near waterways, and anything designated heritage or landmark. Removing one without approval can carry substantial fines and, in some jurisdictions, a replanting requirement measured in inches of replacement trunk diameter. We are not going to guess at your numbers — ask locally.

Where permits do apply, Fixr puts the permit fee itself at $60 to $150. The fee is rarely the issue; the timeline and the possibility of denial are. Some jurisdictions require an arborist's report justifying removal, which is an extra cost and another few weeks.

One important exception in most places: genuinely hazardous or storm-damaged trees usually have an emergency provision. That does not mean no paperwork — it often means you document the condition with photos and file after the fact. Photograph before removal if there is any chance the tree was regulated, and get the arborist's assessment in writing.

How to choose

Call before you sign anything: Planning department, urban forestry, or city arborist. Give the address, species and trunk diameter. Write down who you spoke to and when.
Ask who pulls the permit: Most established tree companies handle it. Confirm in writing, and confirm whether the fee is included in the quote.
Check street tree ownership: The tree between the sidewalk and the curb often belongs to the city, and cutting it can be an offense even though it is in front of your house.
Check the HOA separately: Your HOA's rules are independent of the city's. You may need approval from both, and one saying yes does not bind the other.
Photograph a hazardous tree before emergency removal: Emergency provisions usually require you to document the condition. Photos plus a written arborist assessment protect you afterward.

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FAQ

Tree Service permits — common questions

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Do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my own property?

Sometimes, and it depends entirely on your city or county. Many jurisdictions protect trees above a trunk-diameter threshold or of specific species even on private land. Call your local planning or urban forestry office with your address, species and diameter before you commit.

How much does a tree removal permit cost?

Fixr cites $60 to $150 where a permit is required. The bigger costs are usually the arborist report some jurisdictions require and the time the review takes.

What happens if I remove a protected tree without a permit?

Penalties vary widely by jurisdiction and can include fines and mandatory replanting. Because the rules are local, we cannot tell you your exposure — but this is a genuinely bad thing to guess about, and the phone call to check takes minutes.

Who is responsible for the tree between the sidewalk and the street?

Often the municipality, but it varies and sometimes maintenance falls to the adjacent owner while ownership stays with the city. Ask your city directly. Do not let a contractor remove a street tree on their assurance that it is fine.

Sources

Where these figures come from

Fixr — Tree Removal Cost (permit fees) · retrieved 2026-07-26