How Bethlehem Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide

Bethlehem maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Bethlehem falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Removal Permits

Tree-removal permitting in Bethlehem is administered by the Bureau of Urban Forestry under Article 910.04 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem (https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/CityOfBethlehem/media/Ordinance-PDFs/ARTICLE0910.pdf). No person may remove any tree in a public area without a Director of Public Works permit. Article 910.05(b) imposes a $25 non-refundable application fee per property. Work must be performed by a Bethlehem-licensed arborist under Article 910.10 (commercial license fee $25/year after a $50 exam fee).

Key details: Permitting Authority: Bethlehem Director of Public Works. Apply Through: Bureau of Urban Forestry. Application Fee: $25 (Art. 910.05(b)). Arborist License Required: Yes — Art. 910.10. Maximum Fine: $1,000 per tree (Art. 910.08(m)).

Article 910.99 sets the penalty schedule: $200 first violation (or 30 days), $500 second (or 60 days), $1,000 third-and-subsequent (or 90 days), or both. Article 910.08(m) imposes a minimum fine of $1,000 per tree where unauthorized work necessitates removal of a public tree, with the abutting owner and the actor jointly and severally liable, plus restitution including replacement tree(s) using City Forester valuation. Article 910.04(f) authorizes the City to plant required replacements that the owner fails to install within six months at the owner's expense, with a $300 administration fee plus all actual costs (replacement-tree cost, planting cost, Auditor's fees, County Recorder's fees, etc.).

Heritage & Protected Trees

Bethlehem does not maintain a dedicated public heritage-tree registry in its Codified Ordinances, but Article 910 (Trees) uniformly protects every tree in a 'public area' — parks, streets, and the planting strip between street and property line — with no removal, pruning, or disturbance allowed without a Director of Public Works permit. The Bureau of Urban Forestry maintains an approved street-tree list and the City is a 30+-year Tree City USA community, with notable mature-tree resources in the Sand Island, Monocacy Park, and Rose Garden park system.

Key details: Heritage Registry: No separate City registry. Default Protection: All public-area trees (Art. 910). Designation Path: Land-development plan condition. Recognition: Tree City USA (30+ years). Notable Resources: Sand Island, Monocacy, Rose Garden.

Removing or significantly damaging any tree in a public area without the Article 910.04 permit is a violation. Article 910.08(m) imposes a minimum fine of $1,000 per tree for unauthorized removal of a public tree, with the abutting owner and the actor jointly and severally liable plus restitution including replacement tree(s). Article 910.99 separately applies $200/$500/$1,000 fines with up to 30/60/90 days' imprisonment. Removal of a designated 'tree to be saved' under an approved land-development plan without plan amendment is a separate zoning/code violation triggering stop-work orders and required replacement at an elevated ratio. Damage to trees at PA DCNR-managed sites is enforced separately by DCNR.

Tree Replacement Requirements

Tree replacement in Bethlehem is administered by the Director of Public Works under Article 910.04(b) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem (https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/CityOfBethlehem/media/Ordinance-PDFs/ARTICLE0910.pdf), which authorizes the Director to require replacement plantings as a condition of any public-area tree-removal permit. Article 910.04(e) sets minimum standards: single-stemmed, 2-inch caliper, trunk free of branches to 6 feet, planted within six months of permit issue. Article 910.04(f) authorizes City-planted replacements at the owner's expense with a $300 administration fee plus all costs if not planted in time.

Key details: Controlling Section: Article 910.04(b) and (e). Minimum Caliper: 2 inches, single-stemmed. Planting Deadline: 6 months from permit issue. Default-Planting Fee: $300 + all costs (Art. 910.04(f)). Issuing Officer: Director of Public Works + City Forester.

Failure to install required replacement trees within six months of the Article 910.04 permit issue date triggers Article 910.04(f) City-planted replacement at the owner's expense, with a $300 administration fee plus all actual costs (replacement-tree cost, planting cost, Auditor's fees, County Recorder's fees, maintenance fees). Persistent non-compliance is enforceable under the Article 910.99 schedule ($200/$500/$1,000 with up to 30/60/90 days). Article 910.04(g) authorizes the City to remove non-conforming or substandard plantings without further notice, with all costs assessed to the owner. Article 910.17 authorizes lien-backed assessment under the Third Class City Code §§4503-A through 4508-A, with 10% per annum interest on installment agreements over $1,000.

The Bottom Line

Bethlehem's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Bethlehem is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Bethlehem can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.