3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Albany County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Albany County has no countywide tree-removal permit; regulation is municipal. City of Albany Code Ch. 337 requires permits for street trees and trees on public property. Town of Bethlehem and Colonie regulate trees in conservation districts. Private trees generally unregulated except in wetland or floodplain buffers.
Albany has no formal heritage tree registry, but City of Albany Code Ch. 337 and the Historic Resources Commission protect landmark trees on designated historic properties. NYS DEC Old Growth Forest Program protects stands at Thacher State Park. Removal of large trees on historic lots requires HRC review.
City of Albany Code Ch. 337 requires replacement trees when street trees or trees on public land are removed. Typical 1:1 replacement with 2-inch caliper minimum. Town of Bethlehem requires replanting in subdivisions. NYSDEC requires restoration plans for wetland buffer removals under ECL §24-0701.
2 cities in Albany County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Albany County Ordinance Hub →