Montgomery County sets no countywide tree-trimming rule for private yards. Street-tree trimming is a municipal function; many boroughs and townships appoint a Shade Tree Commission that, under the PA Shade Tree Act, has exclusive control over trimming trees in the public right-of-way. Private-yard pruning is generally unregulated.
Trimming your own trees on private land is not a county matter and is usually unregulated except where a tree overhangs a public street or a neighbor's property (a common-law issue, not a county code). Trees in the public right-of-way are handled by your municipality. Pennsylvania's Shade Tree Act of 1907 lets a borough or township appoint a Shade Tree Commission of three freeholders who hold 'exclusive and absolute custody and control' over public shade trees, including the power to trim, maintain, and remove them. So if the tree is in the strip between the sidewalk and street, contact your municipal public works office or shade tree commission before trimming; for a tree fully on your lot, no county permit
No county penalty. Where a municipal Shade Tree Commission exists, unauthorized cutting of a public shade tree can be an ordinance violation enforced by that municipality. Damaging a neighbor's tree can expose you to civil liability under Pennsylvania common law.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Montgomery County, PA
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Montgomery County, PA
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Montgomery County, PA
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Montgomery County, PA
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Montgomery County, PA
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Montgomery County, PA
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See how Montgomery County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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