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Butler County, OH Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Tree removal permit rules in Butler County, OH, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.

Key Facts

County permit
Not issued / not required
Statewide permit
None in Ohio
Street trees
City approval may apply
Wetland/floodplain tree
Ohio EPA / federal permit
Road right-of-way
County Engineer, ORC 5543.14

Summary

Butler County issues no tree-removal permit and Ohio has no statewide one. For private-property trees, no county permit is needed. Permits only arise from a city street-tree ordinance, HOA covenants, or state/federal rules when a tree is in a wetland, stream buffer or floodplain.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Butler County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The county engineer may trim or remove any and all trees, shrubs, and other vegetation growing in or encroaching onto the right-of-way of the county roads of the engineer's county.

View official code

Full Breakdown

You do not obtain a tree-removal permit from Butler County, the county has no such program and Ohio has no statewide tree-removal permit. On private property, removal is generally your choice, subject to local exceptions. Cities such as Hamilton and Middletown may require approval to remove or replace trees in the public right-of-way (the tree lawn) under their municipal codes. Townships zone the unincorporated area under ORC Chapter 519 but rarely permit private tree removal. Permits do apply when the tree sits in a regulated wetland, stream corridor or floodplain, those require Ohio EPA and/or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorization. The County Engineer controls trees in county road right-of-way under ORC 5543.14.

Violations & Fines

No county penalty for removing a private tree. Cities fine unpermitted removal of protected street trees; wetland/stream violations carry Ohio EPA and federal Clean Water Act penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Butler County?
Not from the county. Private-property removal needs no county permit. City street-tree rules, HOA covenants, or wetland/floodplain permits may still apply.
Which trees do need a permit?
Protected street/right-of-way trees in a city, and trees in a regulated wetland, stream buffer or floodplain, which require city or Ohio EPA/federal authorization.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Butler County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsWeed OrdinancesSome RestrictionsTree TrimmingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Butler County rules

Compare Butler County to another location·View the Ohio landscaping rules overview

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