Rochester, NY Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Rochester, NY, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 89-9, Chapter 89
- Permit authority
- City Forester / Forestry Division
- Consent required for
- plant, remove, trim, prune
- Damage report window
- 48 hours
- Cost recovery
- shade-tree evaluation chart
Summary
In Rochester, no one may plant, cut down, trim, prune, spray, or injure any tree in a public street or place without the written consent of the City Forester. The Forestry Division controls all street-tree work and sets the conditions of every consent.
A. A person must not cut down any tree in a public street or place or cut any branch or limb therefrom or trim any branch or limb thereon or prune or spray or attach any guy wire thereto without the written consent of the City Forester... D. A person must not plant any tree or shrub in a public street or place without the written consent of the City Forester, and the conditions contained in such consent must not be violated, and trees or shrubs other than those specified in such consent must not be planted.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4935326; v86 updated 2026-06-16; through 06-16-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 89-9 puts every street and public-place tree under the City Forester's control. Written consent is mandatory before you cut down, trim, prune, spray, guy-wire, plant, or injure a public tree, and you may plant only the species the consent specifies. Contractors and utilities working nearby must guard trees against breaking, debarking, and burning, and must report accidental damage to the Forestry Division within 48 hours. The Division bills responsible parties for repair or replanting using a shade-tree evaluation chart, and the City Forester can order a hazardous tree removed and assess the cost against the property under Charter § 6-92.
Violations & Fines
Damaging or destroying a public tree obligates the responsible party to report to the Forestry Division within 48 hours and to pay repair or replanting costs, valued by a shade-tree evaluation chart and assessable against the real property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to plant a tree on the tree lawn?
Can I trim or remove the street tree in front of my house myself?
What happens if a tree is accidentally damaged during construction?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rochester
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