How the rules work
The DBH threshold: the number that decides
Almost every tree ordinance keys off a single measurement: DBH, diameter at breast height. Measure your trunk 4.5 feet above the ground. If it exceeds your city’s threshold, you likely need a permit.
| Trunk diameter (DBH) | Typical requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 inches | Usually no permit | Below nearly every ordinance threshold, so treat as unrestricted in most cities |
| 6 – 12 inches | Permit in regulated cities | This is the most common threshold range; the dividing line between free and restricted |
| 12 – 24 inches | Permit almost always | Also where replacement-planting conditions typically begin |
| Over 24 inches | Permit + review | Often requires arborist report, site plan, and sometimes a public notice period |
| Heritage or specimen | Frequently protected | May be effectively unremovable regardless of condition, so check species-specific rules |
Based on common US municipal tree ordinances. Thresholds, fees and exemptions vary by jurisdiction. Always confirm with your local planning or parks department.
What permits cost
| Jurisdiction type | Typical fee | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Rural or unincorporated | $0 | No ordinance in most cases. Check county rules, since some have them where cities do not. |
| Small municipality | $25 – $75 | Simple application, often approved administratively within days. |
| Mid-size city | $50 – $200 | Requires tree details, sometimes an arborist’s assessment, and a short review period. |
| Strict ordinance city | $150 – $500+ | Atlanta, Portland, Seattle, Austin and much of California. May require site plan, arborist report and replacement plantings. |
| Replacement requirement | 1–3 trees | Some cities require replanting or a mitigation payment, frequently larger than the permit fee itself. |
| Removing without a permit | $100 – $1,000+ / tree | Fines vary widely and are often per-tree. Plus replacement obligations. |
Composite ranges from published municipal fee schedules. Your city’s actual schedule governs, so verify before applying.
Common exemptions
Most ordinances carve out specific situations where no permit is needed. These are the exemptions that appear most often, but each city defines them differently, and some require notification even when no permit is required.
- Dead trees. The most widely honored exemption. Most cities exempt dead trees from permitting entirely, though some require photo documentation or a post-removal notification within a set window.
- Immediate hazard. A tree at imminent risk of failure can usually be removed first and documented after. Keep photographs of the condition, since you will be asked to justify the call.
- Below threshold size. Trees under the ordinance’s DBH minimum need nothing. This is why knowing your measurement matters before you call the city at all.
- Approved construction. If removal is part of a permitted building or site plan, the tree removal is often folded into the construction permit rather than requiring a separate application.
- Invasive or nuisance species. Some cities exempt known invasive species outright, including tree of heaven and Bradford pear, precisely because they want them gone. Check your city’s invasive list.
- Utility and right-of-way work. Trees within a utility easement are typically managed by the utility, not the homeowner, and follow different rules entirely. Do not cut in an easement without checking first.
Cities known for strict rules
These jurisdictions are widely cited for having the most restrictive tree protection ordinances in the United States. If you are in or near one of them, assume a permit is required until the city tells you otherwise.
| City / region | Known for | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta, GA | Extensive canopy protection, per-inch fees | Among the most expensive permits in the country; replacement plantings commonly required. |
| Portland, OR | Tree code covering both public and private trees | Permits required for a broad range of sizes; review can take weeks, not days. |
| Seattle, WA | Significant tree protections by size and species | Some trees designated significant are effectively protected regardless of condition. |
| Austin, TX | Protected size classes and heritage trees | Heritage trees require mitigation plans; fees scale with trunk diameter. |
| California (many cities) | Local ordinances plus state-level protections | Coast live oak and other natives are frequently restricted even without a local ordinance. |
| Washington, DC | Urban Forest Protection, low threshold | Small-diameter trees are covered compared with most jurisdictions. |
General characterisation of published ordinances; specific rules and thresholds change. Confirm with the relevant city department before acting.
How to find out in five minutes. Call your city’s planning department or parks & recreation department and ask one question: “What is the trunk diameter above which I need a permit to remove a tree on private property?” That single answer tells you whether the rest of this page applies to you.
Before you call a contractor. If your tree is above the threshold, sort the permit out first. A crew that arrives and then discovers the job is unpermitted may walk away, or proceed and expose you to the fine.
Common questions
Tree removal permits: frequently asked questions
- It depends on your city and the trunk diameter. Many municipalities require a permit for trees above 6–12 inches DBH (diameter at breast height, measured 4.5 ft up the trunk). Cities with the strictest rules include Atlanta, Portland, Seattle, Austin and most of California. Rural and unincorporated areas frequently have no requirement at all.
- Permit fees range from $25 in small municipalities to $500+ in cities with mature-tree protection ordinances. Some cities charge per tree, some charge a flat application fee, and some require a refundable replanting deposit or mitigation plantings as a condition of approval.
- Fines vary enormously by jurisdiction but are commonly $100–$1,000 per tree, and some cities assess far more for protected or heritage species. Enforcement is often complaint-driven. A neighbor report or a contractor’s paperwork trail is what triggers it. Cities with tree ordinances also typically require replacement plantings, which can cost more than the fine.
- Yes. Many ordinances protect heritage, specimen or native trees by species and size. A large oak in Atlanta, a coast live oak in California, or a designated landmark tree may be effectively protected regardless of permit. Some cities also restrict removal during nesting season for protected bird species, typically March through August.
- Reputable arborists usually do, and it should be confirmed in writing before work starts. Ask specifically whether the permit fee is included in the quote or billed separately, and who signs the application. Note that signing an application makes you legally responsible for its accuracy, so verify the tree details yourself.
- Common exemptions include dead trees, trees posing an immediate hazard, trees below the ordinance size threshold, and trees in the path of approved construction. Many cities also waive permits for emergency removals after a storm, with the requirement that you document the condition and file retroactively. Confirm the exemption applies to your case before relying on it.
Related pricing
The permit is one line item. These are the rest of the costs that make up a removal.
Ask your arborist about permitting first
Confirm in writing whether the permit fee is included in the quote or billed separately, and who signs the application, since signing makes you legally responsible for its accuracy.
Request quotes