Tree removal permit rules in Erie County, NY — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Erie County government does not require a permit to remove trees on private property. New York has no statewide private-tree permit either. Any tree-removal permit comes from your specific town, village, or city. Erie County's role is limited to conservation advice and stormwater protection.
New York State does not require a permit to cut down trees on your own private property, and Erie County has no countywide tree-removal ordinance. The NY DEC confirms tree ordinances are adopted locally, not by the state or county. Whether you need a permit depends on your town, village, or city code; some Erie County municipalities regulate removal of large, heritage, or street trees, while many do not regulate private-lot removal. Separately, if tree clearing disturbs one acre or more, the NY DEC construction stormwater general permit (GP-0-20-001) and erosion controls apply. Verify permit requirements with your municipality before removing significant trees.
No Erie County penalty applies. Local ordinances that do regulate removal may require permits, replacement plantings, or impose fines; penalties are defined in each town, village, or city code, not by the county.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Erie County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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