Lancaster County, PA Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- County rule
- None: municipal matter
- Street-tree authority
- PA Shade Tree Act, 53 P.S. §2811
- Lancaster City
- Permit for ROW tree work
- Private yard trees
- Generally unregulated
- Neighbor limit
- May trim to property line only
Summary
Lancaster County sets no tree-trimming rule. Under the PA Shade Tree Act, a municipality's shade-tree commission or public works has custody of trees in the public right-of-way; private-yard trimming is largely unregulated but you own the abutting duty.
All work on trees in the public Right-of-Way (ROW) requires a permit from the City.
Full Breakdown
There is no county tree-trimming ordinance. Trees in the public right-of-way fall to your municipality under Pennsylvania's Shade Tree Act (Act of 1907, 53 P.S. §2811 et seq.), which gives an appointed shade-tree commission exclusive custody and control to plant, remove, maintain, protect, and care for shade trees on public highways. In the City of Lancaster all work on trees in the public right-of-way requires a permit from the City Arborist under Chapter 273. Trimming trees entirely on your own private property is generally not permit-regulated, though you may not cross a neighbor's line.
Violations & Fines
Trimming or removing a right-of-way/street tree without the required municipal permit is a code violation; summary fines and restoration costs are set by each municipality's tree ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to trim a street tree?
Can I trim my neighbor's branches that overhang my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lancaster County
Compare Lancaster County to another location·View the Pennsylvania landscaping rules overview
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