Richland County, SC Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Richland County, SC, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Single-family lots
- No permit to remove
- Grand trees
- Removal only if no alternative
- Protected tree
- 10+ inches in protected zone
- Grand tree replacement
- 6:1 ratio
- Timber/farms
- Exempt from protection
Summary
A homeowner can remove trees on their own single-family lot without a county permit. On land being developed, Richland County's LDC protects "grand trees" and larger trees in protected zones; removing them requires approval and replacement planting.
No grand tree shall be removed unless it is determined that there is no alternative due to unavoidable grading or because of required configuration of essential utilities or buildings.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-24: This supplement is current through Ordinance No. 033-25HR).
Full Breakdown
Under Land Development Code Sec. 26-176, single-family and two-family dwellings on recorded lots are exempt from the landscaping/tree standards, so ordinary residential tree removal is unregulated by the county. For development sites, no grand tree may be removed "unless it is determined that there is no alternative" due to grading or essential utilities/buildings. Protected trees include grand trees and any tree in fair-or-better condition 10 inches or larger located in a required protected zone. Commercial timber, tree farms and agricultural operations are exempt. Approved grand-tree removals must be replaced 6:1; other protected trees 3:1.
Violations & Fines
Removing or damaging protected trees without authorization triggers a mitigation restoration plan; the zoning administrator may require replacement up to 4:1 with 4-inch caliper trees before a certificate of occupancy issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my yard?
What is a "grand tree"?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richland County
Compare Richland County to another location·View the South Carolina landscaping rules overview
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