Tree removal permit rules in Buncombe County, NC — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Buncombe County does not require a permit to remove trees on ordinary private property. The real county tree standards apply in the Steep Slope and Protected Ridge overlay districts, where required screening trees must stay within 50 feet of the downhill side of a structure and follow native-species and spacing
For a typical lot, you can remove your own trees without a county permit. In the Steep Slope and Protected Ridge overlays, however, screening trees tied to hillside structures are regulated: they must be native, no single species over 50% of plantings, spaced 10 to 30 feet apart, and located within 50 feet of the downhill side of the structure. Clearing that disturbs one acre or more (or a quarter acre in a designated Hillside Subdivision) triggers an erosion-control permit even though tree cutting itself is not separately permitted. Inside cities, municipal tree ordinances may apply.
Removing overlay screening trees or clearing without a required erosion permit can block your building/occupancy approval and draw erosion-control penalties.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Buncombe County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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