Stafford County, VA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Stafford County, VA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Board-designated trees only
- Advance notice
- 14 days, written, to administrator
- Allowed reasons
- Safety hazard or disease/weakness
- Exempt activity
- Home gardening, individual homes
- Maximum penalty
- $2,500.00 per violation
- Other enforcement
- Injunction
Summary
Stafford County requires 14 days' advance written notice to the county administrator before removing, relocating or altering a heritage, specimen, memorial or street tree the board of supervisors has designated, or before disturbing land within its canopy. Ordinary home gardening on private lots is exempt.
No tree designated pursuant to this article shall be removed, relocated, or altered nor shall any development, or land disturbing activities occur within the canopy coverage of the tree unless the county administrator is notified in writing by the property owner at least fourteen (14) days in advance, and unless the action is required by one of the following conditions: (1)Safety hazard. Necessity to remove, relocate or alter trees which pose a traffic hazard or threaten to cause disruption of public services; or which pose a safety hazard to persons or buildings.(2)Diseased or weakened trees. Necessity to remove, relocate or alter diseased trees or trees weakened by age, storm, fire or other injury.
Full Breakdown
Article III of Chapter 24 protects only trees the board of supervisors has individually designated by ordinance as heritage, specimen, memorial or street trees; it does not regulate the removal of ordinary, undesignated trees on private property. Section 24-24 bars removing, relocating or altering a designated tree, or conducting development or land-disturbing activity within its canopy coverage, unless the property owner first notifies the county administrator in writing at least 14 days in advance and the action fits one of two allowed grounds: the tree poses a traffic or safety hazard or threatens disruption of public services, or the tree is diseased or weakened by age, storm, fire or other injury.
Section 24-25 exempts work on federal or state property, emergency work to protect life or property, routine utility line maintenance, activities with only minor effects on trees such as home gardening and landscaping of individual homes, and commercial silvicultural or horticultural activity. 1 of the Code of Virginia.
Violations & Fines
Violating Article III, including removing, relocating or altering a designated tree without the required 14-day notice and a qualifying hazard or disease condition, is punishable under section 24-27 by a civil penalty of up to $2,500.00 per violation, with the procedure for imposing the penalty set by the county administrator; the article may also be enforced by injunction in addition to, or instead of, a civil penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Stafford County yard?
How much notice must I give before removing a designated tree?
What is the penalty for cutting a protected tree without notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stafford County
Compare Stafford County to another location·View the Virginia landscaping rules overview
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