Henrico County, VA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Henrico County, VA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Removing a protected tree
- Issued by
- Planning Director
- Homeowner lots
- Exempt (Sec. 24-5302.B)
- Permit expiry
- Six months if unset
- Violation
- Misdemeanor plus replacement
Summary
A tree removal permit is required before removing a 'protected tree' on regulated development in Henrico, but single-family homes on individual lots are exempt. The Planning Director issues permits under Sec. 24-2313.
Approval of a tree removal permit in accordance with the procedure and standards in this section is required prior to the removal of a protected tree..., unless the removal is exempted by Sec. 24-5302.B, Exemptions, or is shown on a tree protection plan approved as part of a construction plan...
Full Breakdown
Section 24-2313 requires approval of a tree removal permit before removing a protected tree, unless the removal is exempted or shown on an approved tree-protection plan. A protected tree is generally a healthy tree six inches or greater in diameter within a required yard abutting a street, transitional buffer, wetland, or Chesapeake Bay RPA, or a required or designated heritage/specimen tree. The Planning Director reviews and may attach conditions; permits expire after six months if no other date is set. Crucially, development of a single-family detached or duplex dwelling on an individual lot is exempt (Sec. 24-5302.B), so most homeowners need no permit for their own yard trees.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected tree without a permit violates Sec. 24-5313 and is a misdemeanor; the court can order replacement trees under Sec. 24-5313.F (Sec. 24-7603).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a homeowner need a tree removal permit?
What happens for removing a protected tree illegally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henrico County
Compare Henrico County to another location·View the Virginia landscaping rules overview
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