Scranton's Tree Protection: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles tree protection a little differently. In Scranton, Pennsylvania, there are 3 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree Removal Permits

Tree-removal permitting in the City of Scranton runs through the Shade Tree Commission and City Forester under Chapter 434 Article I (Trees) and Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission). Permission from the Commission and/or City Forester is required to remove any tree in the public right-of-way, on public parks, or on any City-owned grounds. The Code does not impose a separate, standalone permit for routine private-lot tree removals outside the right-of-way. Removal of a Planning-Commission-conditioned tree within a subdivision or site-plan approval area requires Planning Commission consent.

Key details: Permitting Path: Shade Tree Commission and/or City Forester. Permit Required For: Trees in right-of-way, parks, or City-owned grounds. Private Lot Routine Removal: No standalone Code permit. Subdivision-Conditioned Trees: Planning Commission consent. Land Development Trigger: PA DEP PAG-02 NPDES (over 1 acre).

Removing a right-of-way, park, or City-owned tree without Shade Tree Commission or City Forester permission violates Chapter 434 Article I, subject to a fine of up to $250 per violation under Section 1-16 (General Penalty); each tree improperly removed may be charged separately. The City may seek restitution for the appraised value of the lost tree using ISA tree-appraisal methodology. Removal of a Planning-Commission-conditioned tree without consent violates the approved subdivision or site-plan conditions and can trigger stop-work orders and withholding of Certificate of Occupancy. Large-scale unauthorized clearing during land development triggers separate PA DEP NPDES stormwater enforcement under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102 with civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation.

Heritage & Protected Trees

The City of Scranton does not maintain a separately codified heritage-tree registry. Specimen and notable trees are protected indirectly through Chapter 434 Article I (Trees) and Chapter 358 (Shade Tree Commission), which together make it unlawful to remove or top any tree in the public right-of-way, parks, or other City-owned grounds without Shade Tree Commission or City Forester permission. Notable mature-tree resources include Nay Aug Park, Lake Scranton Watershed land, and Lackawanna State Park (Lackawanna County). Tree City USA designation acknowledges Scranton's commitment to its urban forest under Arbor Day Foundation criteria.

Key details: Heritage Registry: No separate City registry. Default Protection: Chapter 434 Art. I + Chapter 358 (public-realm trees). Notable Resources: Nay Aug Park, Lake Scranton watershed, Lackawanna State Park. Tree City USA: Awarded by Arbor Day Foundation. State Park Authority: 17 Pa. Code Chapter 11.

Damage to or removal of a Shade-Tree-Commission-managed tree in the public right-of-way, parks, or City-owned grounds violates Chapter 434 Article I and is subject to a fine of up to $250 per violation under Section 1-16, plus restitution for the appraised value of the tree using ISA tree-appraisal methodology (commonly $1,000 to $20,000 for a mature shade tree). Damage to or removal of trees within a state park (Lackawanna State Park) violates 17 Pa. Code Chapter 11 and is enforced by Pennsylvania State Park Rangers. Breach of a recorded conservation easement is enforceable in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas by the easement holder.

Tree Replacement Requirements

Tree replacement in the City of Scranton is imposed through Shade Tree Commission and City Forester conditions on right-of-way and park-tree removal permits under Chapter 434 Article I and Chapter 358, and through City Planning Commission conditions on subdivision and site-plan approvals. The Code does not impose a fixed numeric replacement ratio town-wide; replacement species, caliper, and survivability are set case by case. State-funded support is available through the PA DCNR Urban and Community Forestry program (C2P2 grants) and TreePennsylvania (the City received $30,000 for 250 bare-root trees through PA Environmental Justice Forests).

Key details: Imposing Authorities: Shade Tree Commission, City Forester, Planning Commission. Code-Set Ratio: None fixed - case-by-case. Typical Practice (Region): 1:1 / 2:1 / 3:1 by DBH. Replacement Caliper: Typically 2 to 2.5 inches. Hardiness Zone: USDA Zone 6a.

Failure to install required replacement trees within the time specified in the Shade Tree Commission permit or Planning Commission approval violates Chapter 434 Article I and the conditioning document. The City may withhold Certificate of Occupancy on related construction, draw on a posted landscape or survivability bond to install replacements, and pursue the $250-per-violation cap under Section 1-16 (General Penalty) with each day or each missing tree a separate offense. Failure to install or maintain replacements at a development site may also be tied to PA DEP NPDES PAG-02 erosion-control conditions under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102, with separate civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation.

The Bottom Line

Scranton'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 Scranton is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Scranton 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.