Chesapeake homeowners may trim trees on their own property without a permit. Right-of-way trees require Public Works coordination. Virginia common law lets you trim encroaching branches up to the property line.
Private tree trimming on residential property in Chesapeake is generally unregulated, and homeowners may maintain, shape, or prune trees on their own land without a permit. However, trees in the public right of way (between sidewalk and curb) are managed by the Chesapeake Department of Public Works, and residents must not prune, top, or remove them without authorization. Public Works has a tree maintenance program that addresses hazards and clearance over streets. Virginia follows the common law Massachusetts Rule modified by the self-help doctrine from Fancher v. Fagella (2007), allowing a property owner to trim encroaching branches or roots back to the property line without liability, provided the work does not kill the tree. Utility companies (Dominion Energy) have easements allowing trimming near power lines.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Chesapeake's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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