Huntington, NY Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Huntington, NY, 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 code
- Town Code Chapter 186
- Permit issuer
- Dept. of Planning and Environment
- Medium tree threshold
- 32-inch circumference at 4.5 ft
- Fine per tree
- $300 to $750 each
- Woodland fine
- $3,000 to $15,000 per acre
Summary
Removing, destroying, or substantially altering any Landmark, Large, or Medium tree, or more than three Small Trees or any Woodland within a year, requires a permit from the Town's Department of Planning and Environment, and a replanting mitigation plan is frequently required.
It shall be unlawful for any person or business entity to cause, permit or allow the removal, destruction, or substantial alteration of any Landmark Tree, Large Tree, Medium Tree or more than three (3) Small Trees or Woodland, within a one (1) year period, without first obtaining a permit from the Department.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4940543; v75 updated 2026-06-09; through 06-09-2026).
Full Breakdown
Town Code Chapter 186 makes it unlawful to remove, destroy, or substantially alter a protected tree without a permit from the Department of Planning and Environment. Protected means any Landmark Tree, any Large Tree (113-inch circumference or more at 4.5 feet), any Medium Tree (32-inch circumference or more), or more than three Small Trees or any Woodland within one year. Applications require photos, a site plan giving each tree's circumference, and a proposed mitigation replanting plan. The fee is $25 for every five trees, capped at $500 for single-family homes; starting work before the permit issues triples the fee. Dead, dying, and hazardous trees and work within 25 feet of approved construction are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Illegal removal draws a fine of $300 to $750 per tree, or $3,000 to $15,000 per acre of woodland (trebled on Town land), plus up to 15 days' jail, court-ordered replanting or replacement value, and a six-month permit ban.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Huntington yard?
Are dead or hazardous trees exempt from the permit?
What does a Huntington tree permit cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington
New York rules heatmap·Compare Huntington to another location·View the New York landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Suffolk County handle tree removal & heritage trees.