Philadelphia, PA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Beyond the street-tree permit system, Philadelphia protects on-site trees during development under Section 14-705(1) of the Zoning Code, as implemented in the Department of Licenses and Inspections landscape regulations. The location, DBH (diameter at breast height), and species of all existing trees must be shown on the landscape and tree plan. Heritage trees may not be removed from any property unless the applicant either meets the replacement standards of Section 14-705(1)(f) (and the lot/condition criteria), or obtains a special exception from the Zoning Board, which is granted only if the applicant replaces the heritage tree, satisfies the Section 14-303(7) special-exception criteria, and shows the development cannot practically be redesigned to protect the tree.

5-inch DBH or larger that are removed, damaged, or destroyed by development activities must be replaced on the same or an abutting lot, and the total caliper of all replacement trees must be no less than the total caliper of all trees removed. Exemptions exist where a certified arborist determines the tree is dead, damaged, diseased, an undesirable species in its location, or a danger to life or property. Applicants who preserve mature healthy trees (at least 5-inch DBH) can earn tree-preservation credits under Table 14-705-2. These tree-replacement and development-activity rules are separate from, and in addition to, the street-tree permit requirements administered by Parks & Recreation.