Tree Protection in Bethlehem, PA (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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).
Bethlehem PA Tree Removal Permits and Bureau of Urban Forestry
Some RestrictionsHeritage & 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.
Bethlehem PA Heritage and Specimen Trees
Some RestrictionsTree 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.
Bethlehem PA Tree Replacement Requirements
Some RestrictionsLooking for Lehigh County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bethlehem city rules.
Tree Protection in Lehigh County →