Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Chester County

Chester County, PA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

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

Tree removal permit rules in Chester County, 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

County permit
None
Municipal permits
Street/preservation trees
E&S plan trigger
5,000 sq ft or more
NPDES permit trigger
One acre or more
County authority
Conservation District

Summary

Chester County issues no tree-removal permit. Permits are municipal, most often for street/shade trees, and any tree-clearing over 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance requires a Conservation District erosion-control plan.

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

All disturbances greater than 5,000 square feet must have a written Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.

View official code

Full Breakdown

There is no county-wide tree-removal permit in Chester County. Whether you need a permit depends on your borough or township: many Chesco municipalities require permits to remove trees in the public right-of-way (shade trees) and some have tree-preservation ordinances covering large-diameter or specimen trees on private lots. The one firm county-level requirement is erosion control. When tree removal is part of earth disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more, the Chester County Conservation District requires a written Erosion and Sediment Control plan under 25 Pa. Code Chapter 102; disturbance of one acre or more also needs an NPDES permit. Confirm municipal tree rules before cutting.

Violations & Fines

Removing a public shade tree without a municipal permit brings fines and replacement orders. Clearing over 5,000 sq ft without an E&S plan triggers Conservation District / DEP enforcement under the Clean Streams Law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a county permit to remove a tree?
No. Chester County issues no tree-removal permit. Check your borough or township, and note that clearing over 5,000 sq ft requires a Conservation District erosion-control plan.
When does tree clearing need an erosion plan?
When earth disturbance totals 5,000 square feet or more, a written Erosion and Sediment Control plan is required; one acre or more also needs an NPDES permit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Chester County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsWater RestrictionsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions

All Chester County rules

Compare Chester County to another location·View the Pennsylvania landscaping rules overview

Get notified when Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Chester County, PA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.