Bethlehem, PA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Bethlehem, PA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Director of Public Works
- Replacement deadline
- 6 months from permit date
- Replacement minimum size
- 2-inch caliper, single-stemmed
- Unpermitted removal fine
- $1,000 minimum per tree
- Liability
- Owner and remover jointly liable
- City-planted replacement fee
- $300 admin fee plus costs
Summary
Removing a tree from a Bethlehem public area, including the right-of-way in front of a home, requires a Director of Public Works permit under Codified Ordinances § 910.04. The Director can condition that permit on planting a replacement tree, and unauthorized removal draws a minimum $1,000 fine per tree under § 910.08(m).
(b) As a condition to any permit to remove any tree on a public area, or any portion of a tree that is on a public area, the Director may require that the permittee plant one or more trees in place of the one removed. Whenever any such tree has been removed or destroyed pursuant to any such conditional permit, it shall be unlawful for the permittee to fail, refuse or neglect to plant another tree or other trees of the type, size and at the location specified in the permit, within the time specified by the Director. ... (m) Any unauthorized removal or damage that necessitates removal of a tree on public property shall be subject to a minimum fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per tree. Both the abutting property owner and the person responsible for the actions shall be held jointly and severally liable for the fine and restitution to include replacement tree(s).
Full Breakdown
04(a) bars anyone from cutting, removing, or otherwise disturbing a tree on public property in Bethlehem, including the right-of-way strip in front of a residence, without first getting the Director of Public Works' written permission. 04(b), when the Director issues a permit to remove a tree, or any portion of a tree, on a public area, he may require the permittee to plant one or more replacement trees in its place; failing to plant the required replacement, of the type, size, and location specified, within the time the Director sets is itself unlawful.
04(e). 04(f) lets the City or its agent plant it and bill the owner a $300 administration fee plus the cost of the tree and related expenses. 08(m) separately penalizes unauthorized removal: any unauthorized removal or damage that necessitates removing a public tree draws a minimum fine of $1,000 per tree, and both the abutting property owner and whoever did the work are jointly and severally liable for the fine and for restitution, including replacement trees.
Violations & Fines
Removing or damaging a public tree without a permit carries a minimum fine of $1,000 per tree under § 910.08(m), with the abutting owner and the person who did the work held jointly and severally liable, plus restitution covering replacement trees. General Article 910 violations, including failing to plant a required replacement, are separately punishable under § 910.99 at $200 to $1,000 in fines or up to 90 days in jail depending on prior violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut down the tree the City planted in front of my house?
Does Bethlehem make me replace a tree I'm allowed to remove?
What's the penalty for cutting down a city tree without permission?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bethlehem
Compare Bethlehem to another location·View the Pennsylvania landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.