Tree removal permit rules in Davidson County, TN — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Removing protected, retained, or heritage trees in Davidson County requires a Tree Removal Permit from the Metro Zoning Administrator. Unauthorized removal requires replacement at equivalent tree density. Heritage trees are 24"+ in diameter.
Metro Code Chapter 17.24 and Chapter 2.226 govern tree removal throughout Davidson County. A Tree Removal Permit is required to remove any retained, protected, or heritage tree. Heritage trees: 24"+ diameter at breast height. Trees removed without a permit must be replaced at equivalent tree density units (TDU). Non-residential properties must achieve 22 TDUs per acre. The Metro Tree Review Panel oversees Metro government project removals exceeding 100 aggregate inches DBH. Dead, diseased, invasive, or hazardous trees (and trees under 6" DBH, or in utility easements/ROW) generally do not require a permit. No replacement is required if a tree dies from drought or natural disaster.
Unauthorized removal: replace at equivalent TDU + potential zoning fine.
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See how Davidson County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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