Street trees in Richmond County are city property. Residents need an NYC Parks Department work permit before any pruning. Private property trees 6 inches DBH or larger are also regulated.
Under NYC Administrative Code §18-129, it is illegal to prune, cut, or injure a street tree without a NYC Parks Forestry permit. Homeowners may request Parks to trim, or hire a Parks-approved licensed arborist with a work permit. On private property, trees 6 inches DBH or greater are protected under the Tree Protection Plan review process triggered by construction permits. Routine light pruning of private trees is allowed without a permit.
Unauthorized street tree pruning: $1,000+ civil penalty plus tree-replacement valuation (can exceed $5,000). Killing a street tree: up to $15,000 fine.
See how Richmond County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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