Tree removal permit rules in Madison County, AL — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
You may remove trees on your own land in unincorporated Madison County without a county permit. Alabama has no statewide tree-protection law and the county has no zoning authority. Huntsville and HOA covenants are the only limits.
Madison County cannot regulate tree removal on private property in unincorporated areas, because Alabama grants counties no zoning or landscaping authority and passes no statewide tree law. An owner in Toney, Hazel Green, or Gurley may clear trees, including mature oaks and hickories, without approval. The limits sit elsewhere: Huntsville enforces a tree ordinance covering protected and right-of-way trees inside city limits, and HOA covenants in Harvest and south Huntsville subdivisions often require architectural-committee sign-off before removing canopy trees. Parcels along the Tennessee River, Flint River, or a tributary wetland can trigger federal Clean Water Act permitting if removal disturbs a regulated wetland or streambank, but that is separate from any tree rule.
None from the county for clearing your own trees. Removing a protected or right-of-way tree inside Huntsville violates the city code. HOA covenant breaches are enforced privately by the association.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Madison County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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