Yonkers, NY Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Yonkers, 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
- City Code § 80-10
- Permit issuer
- Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation
- Review body
- Shade Tree Commission
- Field inspector
- City Arborist
- Permit duration
- 30 days
Summary
Cutting, removing, or even climbing a tree in any Yonkers public highway or public place is unlawful without a written permit from the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Permit applications are referred to the city's Shade Tree Commission for approval.
Except upon order of the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation ... without a written permit from the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation, to remove, destroy, cut, break, climb or injure any tree or portion thereof that is planted or growing in or upon any public highway or public place within the City of Yonkers...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4745274; v31 updated 2025-10-28; through 10-28-2025).
Full Breakdown
Yonkers City Code § 80-10 makes it unlawful to remove, destroy, cut, break, climb, or injure any tree growing in a public highway or public place without a written permit from the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. The City Arborist inspects the tree and decides whether removal or pruning is warranted; Yonkers removes public trees only when they are dead, declining, or an immediate hazard. An approved permit runs 30 days, and the resident must hire a licensed, insured tree contractor who files a current certificate of insurance and signs a hold-harmless agreement before the permit is finalized.
Violations & Fines
Cutting, removing, or injuring a public tree without a § 80-10 permit is unlawful and punishable under § 80-23, enforced by the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation together with the City Arborist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to cut a tree on the Yonkers curb strip?
How long is a Yonkers tree removal permit valid?
Will Yonkers remove a healthy street tree on request?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yonkers
New York rules heatmap·Compare Yonkers to another location·View the New York landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Westchester County handle tree removal & heritage trees.