No Alabama statute and no Madison County ordinance limits trimming trees on your own land in the unincorporated county. You may prune freely. Inside Huntsville, right-of-way trees are protected, and HOA rules can restrict the work.
Alabama enacts no statewide tree law, and Madison County holds no zoning or landscaping authority over private trees in unincorporated areas like Hazel Green and Meridianville, so an owner may trim or top trees without a permit. The common-law boundary rule still applies: you may cut branches and roots that cross onto your land, but only up to the property line. Huntsville, by contrast, has run a tree ordinance and City Tree Commission since 1981 and controls work on trees in the public right-of-way inside its limits. Utility clearance along valley roads is handled by Huntsville Utilities and Athens Utilities, not by residents reaching into the right-of-way.
None from the county for pruning your own trees. Damaging a neighbor's tree beyond the boundary line exposes you to civil liability. Unauthorized work on Huntsville right-of-way trees violates the city code.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Madison County, AL
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See how Madison County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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