Fall Tree Removal Permit Rules by City (2026)
When Do You Need Permission to Cut a Tree?
Find the rules for your area:
Compare tree removal permit requirements across cities. Find diameter thresholds, fees, replacement requirements, and penalties for unauthorized removal.
The table below breaks down the rules across 51 states and 482 cities and counties. Every entry is based on the actual municipal code for that location, not a guess or a generic template. Click any location to see the full ordinance details, including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.
Rules by State
Each state is colored by the most common local rule. Click a state to see the cities and counties we cover there.
| State | Locations | Strict | Moderate | Permissive | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 115 | 59 | 46 | 10 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Florida | 46 | 27 | 18 | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Texas | 45 | 7 | 28 | 10 | Some Restrictions |
| New Jersey | 21 | 7 | 14 | - | Some Restrictions |
| New York | 19 | 8 | 10 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Illinois | 17 | 4 | 12 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Arizona | 16 | 6 | 8 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Colorado | 14 | 2 | 12 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Georgia | 13 | 7 | 6 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Washington | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Hawaii | 12 | 3 | 9 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Michigan | 11 | 3 | 8 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Pennsylvania | 9 | 1 | 8 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Virginia | 8 | 2 | 6 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Tennessee | 8 | 4 | 4 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| North Carolina | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Massachusetts | 6 | 1 | 5 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Mississippi | 6 | - | 4 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Ohio | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Missouri | 6 | - | 5 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Indiana | 6 | - | 5 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Oklahoma | 5 | - | 3 | 2 | Some Restrictions |
| Minnesota | 5 | 3 | 2 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Nevada | 5 | - | 4 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Iowa | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Oregon | 4 | 2 | 2 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Maryland | 4 | 3 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Kentucky | 4 | 1 | 3 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Wisconsin | 4 | - | 3 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| Connecticut | 4 | - | 4 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Arkansas | 3 | - | 1 | 2 | Few Restrictions |
| Alabama | 3 | - | 3 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Nebraska | 3 | - | 3 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Louisiana | 3 | 1 | 2 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Utah | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| South Carolina | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Delaware | 2 | - | 2 | - | Some Restrictions |
| District of Columbia | 2 | 2 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| New Mexico | 2 | - | 2 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Rhode Island | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| South Dakota | 2 | - | 1 | 1 | Some Restrictions |
| New Hampshire | 2 | - | 2 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Kansas | 2 | - | 2 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Maine | 2 | 1 | - | 1 | Heavy Restrictions |
| Wyoming | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Vermont | 1 | 1 | - | - | Heavy Restrictions |
| Montana | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| North Dakota | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| West Virginia | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Idaho | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
| Alaska | 1 | - | 1 | - | Some Restrictions |
How Cities Compare
These rankings are based on verified municipal code data, not opinion. A "strict" rating means the city has heavy restrictions, high fines, or outright bans. "Permissive" means few or no local restrictions beyond state law.
Most Restrictive
- 1Miami Beach, FLYes — through Environment Dept
Miami Beach requires permits for removing any tree that normally matures to 20 feet or more under Chapter 126 (Landscape Ordinance). No person may cut down, destroy, or effectively damage a protected tree without following the city's permit procedures. The Environment and Sustainability Department oversees tree protection.
- 2Ojai, CA$10,000 per tree
Ojai requires permits to remove protected native trees including oaks (Valley Oak, Coast Live Oak) with trunks 6 inches or more in diameter at breast height. The city's heritage oaks are a defining feature of the valley landscape.
- 3Simi Valley, CAFor all protected trees
Simi Valley requires permits to remove protected trees including native oaks and designated significant trees. The application process requires an arborist report and the city typically mandates replacement planting or in-lieu fees.
- 4Kings County, NY$5,000–$15,000+
NYC Admin Code §18-129 prohibits damaging or removing any street tree without a NYC Parks permit. Fines for unauthorized removal start at $5,000 and can reach $15,000+ based on tree size.
- 5Coral Gables, FLAll trees meeting size thresholds
Coral Gables requires a tree removal permit before removing any tree on public or private property that meets size thresholds. Chapter 82, Article II of the Code of Ordinances governs tree protection. A tree survey is required with permit applications. The city tree preservation agency must approve all removals, relocations, and replacements within 10 working days.
- 6Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa requires prior city approval before removing any tree that was required by a site plan, landscaping condition, or planning approval. Trees shall not be destroyed or removed without review by the Planning Division, which may require a California licensed arborist report. Replacement trees of comparable size are required where possible. Street trees in the public right-of-way are city property and may not be trimmed or removed by residents.
- 7Mission Viejo, CAUp to $10,000+ per tree
Mission Viejo requires permits for removing protected trees on private property. Trees with trunks 10 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH) are generally protected. The city's strong tree preservation policy requires justification for removal and replacement planting.
- 8Skokie, IL
Skokie is a Tree City USA community with a strong forestry program. Parkway trees are village property and cannot be removed without Public Works authorization, while removal of significant private trees may require permits and replacement.
- 9San Mateo County, CAChapter 8.400 (Ord. 4895, Oct 22, 2024)
The unincorporated County's Protected Tree Ordinance (Chapter 8.400, Ordinance 4895, 2024) requires a Protected Tree Removal Permit before removing protected trees, with replacement planting and a 3-year maintenance period. Exemptions cover dead trees, true emergencies, and specific fire-risk species near structures. A separate Coastal Zone exemption for hazardous trees runs through July 1, 2026.
- 10Doral, FL4-inch trunk diameter at DBH
Doral requires a tree removal permit for any tree with a trunk diameter of 4 inches or more measured at 4.5 feet above ground. Permits are reviewed by the city and may require replacement tree planting. Removal of certain protected species requires additional justification. Emergency removals for safety hazards may proceed without a permit.
Fewest Restrictions
- 1Dallas County, TXNo
No county tree removal permit required. Property owners may remove trees on their own property without restriction. TX LGC Section 240.909 provides narrow authority but Dallas County has not enacted such regulations.
- 2Sioux City, IANot required
Sioux City does not require a permit to remove a healthy tree from private property. Permits and approvals only apply to trees in the public right-of-way, parkway, or city parks, which are managed by Field Services under SCMC Chapters 8.56 and 17.40.
- 3Kennewick, WANot required
Kennewick does not have a private-property tree removal permit chapter. Permits and approvals only apply to trees in the public right-of-way (KMC Title 5), trees inside an approved KMC 18.21 landscape plan, and trees in a KMC 18.58 critical area.
- 4Springdale, AR
Springdale does not require a general tree-removal permit for trees on private residential property. The Springdale Public Works / Streets Department maintains and may remove trees in the City right-of-way and drainage easements. The City Code compels removal of dead or dying trees on order from Neighborhood Services under A.C.A. §14-54-901+. Land-development projects may require tree-protection or replacement plans through Springdale Planning Commission site-plan review.
- 5Tulsa County, OK
Tulsa County has no general tree removal permit for private property. City of Tulsa requires permits only for street trees / ROW trees under TRO Title 33 § 300. Oklahoma has no statewide tree protection for residential lots.
- 6Solano County, CANone for private-land trees
Unincorporated Solano County has no countywide tree-removal-permit ordinance for trees on private land. The Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 28) contains no general tree-protection chapter. Tree protection arises indirectly through 2008 General Plan resource policies, CEQA review on discretionary development, and conditions of approval - not a standalone permit a homeowner files to cut a tree.
- 7Tulare County, CANone for private trees on developed parcels
Unincorporated Tulare County has no general tree-removal permit ordinance, no heritage-tree program, and no oak-woodland conservation ordinance. Permits arise only for trees in the County road right-of-way (encroachment permit) or where tree retention is a condition of a discretionary development permit under General Plan habitat policies.
- 8Shasta County, CANot required by the County
Unincorporated Shasta County has no tree-removal-permit ordinance for private property; routine removal needs no county permit. Permits arise only indirectly through the Title 12 grading ordinance, development/flood-district conditions under Title 17, or state Forest Practice rules for commercial timber harvest.
- 9Toledo, OH
Toledo does not generally require permits for removing trees on private residential property. Property owners have the right to remove trees on their own land. However, trees in the public right-of-way and on city property are managed by the city's forestry division and cannot be removed without authorization. Street trees and boulevard trees adjacent to residential properties are city property. Contact the city before removing any tree near the property line or right-of-way boundary.
- 10Sutter County, CANot required by the county
Unincorporated Sutter County does not require a tree-removal permit for trees on private property. There is no heritage-tree or oak-protection ordinance. The only tree-siting limit is in scenic/hillside combining districts, where development must minimize tree removal.
All 482 Locations
Every city and county below has verified ordinance data for this topic. Click any location for the full breakdown including fines, exceptions, and local FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions come from the most common things people ask about this topic across different cities.