Spartanburg County, SC Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Spartanburg 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
- County permit
- None for private land
- City public trees
- Tree-board approval (Sec. 38-81)
- Land disturbance
- Trees 4 inches or greater
- Unauthorized removal
- Misdemeanor (Sec. 38-1)
- Utility exemption
- Written agreement required
Summary
Spartanburg County requires no permit to remove trees on private residential land. The City of Spartanburg protects public and street trees through its tree board and triggers tree-protection review when land disturbance removes trees four inches or larger.
Land disturbance activity means: ... Clearing or otherwise removing trees (four inches or greater) on a site.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
Spartanburg County has no countywide tree-removal permit for private property; much of the unincorporated area is historically unzoned. In the City of Spartanburg, the tree ordinance (Chapter 38) protects public, park, and street trees: requests to remove them are forwarded to the city tree board (Sec. 38-81), and willfully removing or injuring a tree in a street or public place is a misdemeanor (Sec. 38-1). The city's definition of "land disturbance activity" (Sec. 38-22) includes clearing or removing trees four inches or greater during construction, which brings a project under the tree-protection article. Utility companies and agencies can be exempt only under a written agreement (Sec. 38-23).
Violations & Fines
Removing or injuring a protected public/street tree is a misdemeanor (Sec. 38-1, 38-59). Interfering with authorized tree-board removal work is also unlawful (Sec. 38-82).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Spartanburg County?
What triggers tree protection in the City of Spartanburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina landscaping rules overview
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