Islip, NY Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Islip, 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 law
- Town Code Ch. 57 (Trees), § 57-3
- Trigger
- Owner's prior written consent
- Scope
- Any tree, living or downed
- Penalty
- $50-$1,000 per tree; 15 days
- Homeowner removal permit
- None required by Ch. 57
Summary
The Town of Islip prohibits cutting, damaging, carving, digging, or removing any tree, living or dead, standing or downed, on public or private property without the prior written consent of the property owner, which must be displayed to enforcement officers on demand.
No person, firm, association, corporation or partnership shall cut, damage, carve, dig or remove any tree, whether living or not living, standing or downed on public or private property without the prior written consent of the owner of said property. ... Failure to display written consent of the owner to cut, damage, carve, dig or remove any tree or trees upon request by enforcing authorities shall be violation of this local law.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4826765; v112 updated 2026-02-24; through 02-24-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 57 (Trees) of the Code of the Town of Islip is a tree-protection law aimed at stopping theft and destruction of trees. Under § 57-3, no person or entity may cut, damage, carve, dig, or remove any tree, whether living or not, standing or downed, on public or private property without the owner's prior written consent, and anyone doing tree work must show that consent to any Town enforcement officer on demand. Islip's Public Safety Enforcement / Code Enforcement handles complaints. There is no separate Town removal permit for a homeowner cutting a tree on their own lot; the owner's consent is the trigger. Clearing land of trees and brush in connection with development is governed separately under the Town's site improvement and subdivision regulations.
Violations & Fines
Cutting or removing a tree without the owner's written consent, or failing to display that consent when an enforcement officer demands it, violates § 57-3. Under § 57-4, fines run from $50 to $1,000 per tree, or up to 15 days imprisonment, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Town permit to remove a tree on my own property in Islip?
What happens if someone cuts a tree without the owner's consent?
Does the law cover dead or fallen trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Islip
New York rules heatmap·Compare Islip 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.