Bethlehem, PA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Bethlehem's tree-trimming framework is set out in Article 910 (Trees) of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bethlehem, the City's shade-tree ordinance administered by the Bureau of Urban Forestry within the Department of Public Works and overseen by the City Forester. Article 910.04(a) provides that 'no person shall hereafter plant, move, spray, cut, remove, prune, fertilize, inject, climb with spikes or with the assistance of rope, remove or damage any guard or device placed to protect any tree, cut above or below ground, disturb or alter any tree on any public area of the City of Bethlehem' without permission from the Director of Public Works. 'Public area' is defined at 910.01(b) as 'all parks, streets, and any planting area between streets and property lines,' which captures the tree-lawn strip even where the abutting homeowner owns to the curb. A $25 non-refundable application fee applies (910.05(b)). All pruning, cutting, and removal on public-area trees must be performed by a person holding a Bethlehem Arborist License under 910.10 (annual fee $25 commercial / $5 property owner; $50 exam application). Property owners are responsible under 910.11 for maintaining clearance of 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over roadways for trees they front. Utility-line clearance pruning by PPL is permitted under 910.13 and 66 Pa.C.S. (Public Utility Code). Pennsylvania common law authorizes self-help trimming of a neighbor's overhanging branches up to the property line, but cuts may not damage or kill the neighbor's tree.