Tree Removal Permits: Albany vs Colonie
How do tree removal permits rules compare between Albany, NY and Colonie, NY?
Albany and Colonie have similar restriction levels.
Albany, NY
Albany County
Albany requires a permit from the Department of General Services (DGS) Forestry Division before any street tree or city park tree is pruned, removed, or planted. The Albany Tree Commission, established by city ordinance, advises on the urban forest. Street trees — those in the right-of-way between sidewalk and curb — are city property; unauthorized removal carries replacement-value penalties.
View full Albany rules →Colonie, NY
Albany County
Tree-removal permitting in the Town of Colonie operates through Chapter 177 (Trees), adopted by Local Law No. 6-1970, and Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use). The Planning Board, during subdivision and site-plan review under Chapter 190, may designate areas where trees must be left standing; no live tree exceeding three inches in diameter may be cut down in such areas without Planning Board consent. The Town does not impose a separate, standalone tree-removal permit for routine private-lot removals outside protected areas; right-of-way trees are coordinated with the Department of Public Works.
View full Colonie rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Albany | Colonie |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Permitting Path | - | Planning Board consent (Ch. 177 + Ch. 190) |
| Subdivision Threshold | - | Over 3 inches DBH in protected area |
| Standalone Town Permit | - | None for routine private removals |
| Right-of-Way Removal | - | Coordinate with Dept. of Public Works |
| Land Development | - | NYS DEC SPDES GP-0-20-001 (over 1 acre) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Albany FAQ
Can I cut down the tree in front of my house in Albany?
Not without a permit. Street trees — those in the planting strip between sidewalk and curb — are city property under Chapter 337, even though they front your lot. You must apply to DGS Forestry, and they'll inspect before issuing any removal or pruning permit.
My street tree is dead or damaged — who do I call?
Call DGS Forestry at (518) 434-5995 or file a request via 311 or SeeClickFix. The Forestry Division inspects and prioritizes removals based on hazard level. Do not hire a private contractor to remove a city street tree — it's a violation and you'll be billed the replacement value.
What is the Albany Tree Commission?
A citizen advisory body established by city ordinance to advise the Mayor, Common Council, and DGS Forestry on urban forest policy — species selection, pest response, Arbor Day, and standards for construction near trees. The Commission's existence is one of the requirements for Albany's Tree City USA designation.
Colonie FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my Colonie residential lot?
For routine removal of a dead, diseased, or hazardous tree on a private lot outside a Planning-Board-protected subdivision area, no standalone Town permit is required. If your parcel was approved with tree-preservation conditions, Planning Board consent under Chapter 177 is required to cut any live tree exceeding three inches in diameter. Right-of-way trees require DPW coordination.
How do I apply for tree-removal approval in a Colonie subdivision?
Contact the Town of Colonie Planning Division to file an amendment to the approved subdivision plan and obtain Planning Board consent under Chapter 177. The Conservation Advisory Council typically reviews and recommends. The Planning Board may impose replacement-planting and erosion-control conditions before approving the change.
What is the penalty for removing a protected Colonie tree without approval?
Cutting a Planning-Board-protected tree over three inches DBH without consent violates Chapter 177 and the conditions of the approved subdivision plan, subject to the Town Code's general violation penalties (per-offense fines), Planning-Board-imposed replacement plantings, possible stop-work orders, and withholding of Certificate of Occupancy on related construction until cured.
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