Madison, AL Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Madison, AL, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Residential removal permit
- None required
- Save-tree credit
- 1.5x per tree saved
- Qualifying caliper
- Min. 4 inches
- Preservation rule
- Zoning Sec. 4-13-1
- Credit rule
- Zoning Sec. 7-5-1(G)
Summary
Madison does not require a permit to remove a tree from an established residential lot. Tree protection applies to new development: the Zoning Ordinance preserves natural vegetation along property lines and gives credit for saving existing trees of at least four-inch caliper on landscaped sites.
Credit for Existing Vegetation. Each existing tree meeting the following criteria may count for one and one-half of the trees required in this section if other landscaping requirements are met: 1. Has a minimum caliper of four inches;
Full Breakdown
No provision of the city code requires a homeowner to obtain a permit before removing a tree on their own established lot. The Zoning Ordinance's tree provisions operate through the site-plan and landscaping process. Section 4-13-1 requires natural vegetation, especially trees and shrubs, to be preserved along property lines, fence rows, and drainage ways and shown on the landscape plan. Section 7-5-1(G) offers a credit: each existing tree with a minimum caliper of four inches, a healthy live crown of at least 30 percent of tree height, protected by a barrier during construction and marked 'to be saved,' counts as one and one-half of the required trees. Grading needs a land-disturbance permit.
Violations & Fines
No penalty for private residential removal. On development sites, clearing without an approved site plan/land-disturbance permit or failing landscaping requirements is enforced by Planning and can block a certificate of occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a city permit to cut down my tree?
How does the tree-save credit work for builders?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madison
Compare Madison to another location·View the Alabama landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Madison County handle tree removal & heritage trees.