Chicopee, MA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Chicopee, MA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Who decides
- Tree Warden and Planning Board at a public hearing
- Replacement, under 12" diameter
- 1 tree
- Replacement, over 12" diameter
- 2 trees
- Permit
- Street occupancy permit before any work begins
- Fine
- $300 misdemeanor; each tree a separate offense
- Unhealthy trees
- Tree Warden can remove without a public hearing
Summary
In the City of Chicopee, Massachusetts, removing a healthy tree from City property takes a petition to the Tree Warden and a public hearing before the Tree Warden and the Planning Board under Chapter 257. A tree removed at greater than 12 inches in diameter must be replaced with 2 trees, and a smaller one with 1. A street occupancy permit is required before work starts.
The first priority of the City is to preserve and protect all trees on City property. Any decision allowing the removal of a healthy public shade tree will provide for equitable replacement to ensure the residents of Chicopee the continuing aesthetic, environmental and economic benefit of that tree. Any tree that is designated a protected tree will not be removed under this process. B. The Tree Warden may consider the removal and subsequent replacement of a healthy tree subject to the following: (1) Petitions for the removal and replacement of trees shall be filed with the Tree Warden and acted upon by the Tree Warden and the Planning Board in a public hearing as provided by MGL c. 87. (2) Petitions for the removal and tree replacement must demonstrate that the removal and replacement of a tree will be of greater benefit to the inhabitants of the City than the existing tree. (3) Trees that are removed in accordance with this § 257-7 must be replaced in accordance with the following schedule: Size of Tree Removed Replacement Required Less than 12" diameter 1 tree Greater than 12" diameter 2 trees
Full Breakdown
Chapter 257 (Trees) was adopted by the Board of Aldermen (now City Council) on 6-16-1998 as Ord. No. 98-38. Section 257-1B states that any activity requiring the removal or planting of trees on City property and all clearing operations within the public right-of-way requires a permit before any work begins. Under § 257-4 the chapter applies to any activity on City property and any activity that requires a street occupancy permit, and no street occupancy permit is issued unless the proposed activity conforms to the chapter.
Section 257-7 covers healthy trees. The City's stated first priority is to preserve and protect all trees on City property, and a tree designated a protected tree will not be removed under this process. Otherwise the Tree Warden can consider removal and replacement only on a petition filed with the Tree Warden and acted upon by the Tree Warden and the Planning Board in a public hearing as provided by MGL c. 87. The petition has to demonstrate that removal and replacement will be of greater benefit to the inhabitants of the City than the existing tree.
Replacement follows a printed schedule: less than 12" diameter, 1 tree; greater than 12" diameter, 2 trees. The petitioner works with the Tree Warden to select trees and locations that will not interfere with buried or above ground utilities, will minimize root damage to streets and sidewalks, and will not become a nuisance. A replacement tree is not required to be located on the section of public right-of-way from which the tree was removed, and the petitioner must give the Planning Board and the Tree Warden a suitable guaranty that the replacement trees will be provided before the live tree comes down. Costs, including related work regardless of contractor, fall on the petitioner unless a written agreement with the City says otherwise. Work in the right-of-way follows the specifications of the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works and the Tree Warden.
Unhealthy trees run on a separate track. Under § 257-8 the Tree Warden can, without a public hearing, remove a tree that endangers the health or safety of the general public, requests go to the Department of Public Works, and the Tree Warden's discretion and sound judgment alone determine whether the tree comes out.
Violations & Fines
Under § 257-10, no person can remove any wood, trees, bushes or other flora from any City property without the express written consent of the Tree Warden and the Superintendent of Public Works. Any person, firm or corporation violating the chapter is deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of $300. Each day's continuance of a violation and each tree removed is a separate offense, and fines collected are used to replace the City tree population. Under § 257-9 the Tree Warden or the Superintendent of Public Works can revoke, suspend or void the street occupancy permit and suspend all work on a site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many trees do I have to plant to replace a City tree in Chicopee?
Who decides whether a healthy City tree can be removed?
What is the fine for cutting down a tree on City property without permission?
Can Chicopee remove a dangerous tree without a hearing?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chicopee
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