Hamilton County, TN Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Hamilton County, TN, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Art. V, § 303.C Existing Woodlands
- Applies to
- New/expanding commercial, multi-family development
- Exempt
- 1-, 2-, 3-family homes on own lot
- Protected strip minimum depth
- 25 feet from right-of-way
- Required tree density
- 1 tree/35 ft, 6-inch caliper
- Appeal deadline
- 60 days to Board of Zoning Appeals
Summary
When a commercial or multi-family project in unincorporated Hamilton County uses existing woodland along the street frontage to satisfy the county's street-yard tree requirement, that 25-foot woodland strip is protected: no cutting, filling, or equipment storage is allowed inside it once it is set aside on the approved landscape plan.
1) Existing woodlands along the street right-of-way frontage can be substituted for the street yard requirements subject to the following: a. Existing woodlands to be set aside shall have a minimum depth of twenty-five (25) feet as measured from the public street right-of-way; b. Number of woodland trees (not including prohibited trees) having a minimum caliper of six (6) inches shall equal or exceed the minimum street tree planting ratio of one (1) tree per thirty-five (35) linear feet; c. No impervious surfaces are permitted within the protected woodlands area except for approved access points to the site; and d. No cutting/filling activities or storage of materials/equipment are permitted within the protected woodlands.
Full Breakdown
B exempts one-, two-, and three-family residential structures on their own lot entirely, so this rule does not reach an ordinary homeowner clearing trees on a house lot. Section 303 sets the Street Yard Requirement: an eight-foot-deep planted yard along the public right-of-way, with one tree per 35 linear feet of frontage. C lets a developer substitute existing woodlands for that planted yard instead of installing new street trees. To qualify, the woodland strip must be at least 25 feet deep from the right-of-way, must contain enough six-inch-caliper trees to match the one-per-35-feet ratio, and cannot carry impervious surfaces except approved access points.
d bars cutting, filling, or storing materials and equipment inside that protected woodland for the life of the development. The plan must be on file before the county will issue a Certificate of Occupancy under Section 310, and a performance bond can be required if landscaping is not yet installed. Appeals from a landscape administration decision go to the Board of Zoning Appeals within 60 days under Section 311, with further appeal to the courts.
Violations & Fines
Disturbing a protected woodland set aside under Section 303.C can hold up the Certificate of Occupancy under Section 310 until the landscape plan is corrected or a bond is posted. Zoning Regulations violations generally are misdemeanors under Article VIII, Section 105.B, punishable by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense enforced by the Building Commissioner and the Sheriff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cut down trees on my own house lot in unincorporated Hamilton County?
When does the protected-woodland rule actually apply?
What happens if a developer disturbs the protected woodland after approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hamilton County
Compare Hamilton County to another location·View the Tennessee landscaping rules overview
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