4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Montgomery County has some of the strictest tree protection laws in the region under Chapter 22A (Forest Conservation) and Chapter 49A (Roadside Trees). Removing any tree 6 inches DBH or greater on a development site requires a forest conservation plan. Roadside trees need county permission for removal.
Montgomery County provides heightened protection for specimen trees (30+ inches DBH for most species) under Chapter 22A. These trees cannot be removed without Planning Board approval, and removal requires significant mitigation. The county also protects champion trees and trees of special significance on public land.
Montgomery County requires tree replacement or mitigation when trees are removed under Chapter 22A Forest Conservation Law. Replacement ratios depend on the type of forest removed. Payment into the Forest Conservation Fund is an alternative to on-site planting.
Montgomery County has a comprehensive framework of tree protections spanning Chapter 22A (Forest Conservation), Chapter 49A (Roadside Trees), and M-NCPPC regulations for park trees. The county is widely recognized as having among the strictest local tree laws in the Washington DC metropolitan region.
1 cities in Montgomery County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Montgomery County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Montgomery County Ordinance Hub →