Stratford, CT Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Chapter 200 of the Stratford Code ties its permit requirement to Town-owned property. Under § 200-14, no person shall cut, trim, prune, remove, injure or interfere with any tree, shrub or woody vegetation, including the branches, trunk, root system or crown, in whole or in part, on any Town-owned property without a permit from the Tree Warden. The Tree Warden is the Director of Public Works (§ 200-9). Work must follow good arboricultural practices under the Stratford Arboricultural Specifications and Policy Manual.

Permit mechanics sit in §§ 200-15 and 200-16. Permits are issued in conformity with Connecticut General Statutes Section 23-65(f), applications go on forms provided by the Tree Warden, and permits expire 30 days after the date of issue unless the Tree Warden notes otherwise. All work must be done in strict accordance with the permit and under the Tree Warden's direction. Emergency work, such as failure of gas, water or electric utility lines, can be performed as orally prescribed by the Tree Warden at the expense of the person requesting it (§ 200-17). Public utilities need their own permit before injuring Town-owned trees (§ 200-10). Anything planted on Town-owned property becomes Town property (§ 200-12).

Private trees come up in one situation. Under § 200-3, maintaining a tree on private property whose root system interferes with the public sanitary or storm sewer system, or changes the elevation of a public sidewalk, curb or street pavement, is a declared public nuisance. The Director of Public Works gives the record owner 10 days' written notice by registered mail (§ 200-4). The owner can promise in writing within the 10 days to remove it within 30 days of the mailing (§ 200-6). Otherwise, Public Works removes the tree at the owner's expense, and the charge becomes a lien foreclosed like a tax lien (§ 200-5).