Mebane, NC Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Mebane's permit requirement covers street trees, defined as trees, shrubs and plants within the right-of-way on either side of any street, and park trees, defined as trees, shrubs and plants in city parks or areas the public may freely use as a park (Sec. 38-32). Before pruning, treating or removing either kind of tree, a person or firm must file an application with the city manager, who has discretion to review the application and inspect the trees in question before deciding whether to issue a permit (Sec.

38-37). Anyone who operates as a business pruning, treating or removing street or park trees must separately hold a city license, pay a fee set by the city council, and file proof of liability insurance in the required minimum amounts for bodily injury and property damage before the license issues; public service companies, utilities, cablevision companies and city employees doing the work in their official capacity are exempt from the license (Sec. 38-38). Once a removal is completed, Sec. 38-36 requires all stumps of street and park trees to be cut below the surface of the ground so no part projects above grade.

The tree board, a five-member body appointed by the mayor with council approval, administers the article and may be appealed to the city council (Secs. 38-61, 38-67), and interfering with the tree board or its agents while they plant, prune, spray or remove authorized trees is separately unlawful under Sec. 38-66. Enforcement runs through the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-6.