Cities with the Strictest Tree Removal Rules (2026)

The First 25 of 583 Places in List Order: Most Restrictive Level First

This list is a directory grouped by level, not a measurement. Places are ordered by the restriction level recorded for each rule, most restrictive first: Heavy Restrictions, Significant Restrictions, Some Restrictions, Light Restrictions, Few Restrictions. The level is a label stored with the rule, and this page does not calculate it from fines, hours, fees or any other figure. Within a level, places are listed alphabetically by name, so position inside a level carries no meaning.

• Cook County, ILHeavy Restrictions

  Cook County Chapter 126 requires tree removal permits for deciduous trees over 6 inches in diameter and evergreen trees 10+ feet tall on unimproved or partially improved land. A Tree Removal Application must be submitted to Building and Zoning.

• Daly City, CAHeavy RestrictionsDirector of Public Works

  It is unlawful to cut down or remove any tree on a Daly City parkway, easement, or right-of-way without a Public Works permit under Municipal Code section 12.40.120. Removal of a live, healthy tree is at the requester's cost; trees that die of natural causes are removed and replaced by the city at no cost to the owner.

• Essex County, NJHeavy Restrictions

  Essex County bans damaging, cutting, transplanting or removing any tree or plant across its county park system, including picking flowers or seeds and attaching ropes or wires to trees.

• Fairfax, VAHeavy Restrictions

  The City of Fairfax has a strong tree preservation program under its tree conservation ordinance. Removal of significant trees on private property requires evaluation and, in many cases, a permit or replacement planting. Trees in the public right-of-way, on city property, and within environmental quality corridors are strictly protected. Illegal removal can result in fines and mandatory replacement at replacement value.

• Honolulu County, HIHeavy Restrictions

  Honolulu bans removing or destroying any tree the City Council has designated "exceptional" under Chapter 40's tree-protection article; ROH § 40-8.8(a) makes it unlawful without council approval and fines violators up to $1,000, and even trimming an exceptional tree's shape or a branch needs a Department of Parks and Recreation permit under § 40-8.8(b).

• Horry County, SCHeavy Restrictions$150/tree, doubled for live oaks

  It is unlawful in Horry County to remove a Specimen Live Oak with a trunk 24 inches DBH or greater without authorization. Removal generally needs a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals, and mitigation (replacement trees or a fee in lieu) applies.

• Lee County, FLHeavy RestrictionsUp to $500 per violation

  A tree protected by LDC Article V may be removed only after a permit is secured from the administrator. Protected means listed in Appendix E; any other species may come down without a permit. Most single-family lots under five acres are exempt.

• Lowell, MAHeavy Restrictions

  Removing a public shade tree in Lowell requires action by the tree warden and, under MGL c. 87, sec. 3, a posted and published public hearing with at least seven days' notice; no abutting owner may remove such a tree on their own. Removing vegetation on private property may also require a Conservation Commission permit under Lowell Code section 227-3(L).

• Marana, AZHeavy RestrictionsArizona Department of Agriculture

  Removing protected native plants including saguaro cacti, ironwood, and palo verde trees requires a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture under ARS 3-904. Marana Land Development Code requires native plant salvage plans for new development.

• Miami Gardens, FLHeavy RestrictionsUp to $5,000 + replanting

  Tree removal in Miami Gardens requires a permit from the city's planning department. Miami-Dade County protects all native trees over 3 inches in diameter. Permits must be obtained before any removal or relocation. One-to-one canopy replacement is required for approved removals. Improper pruning is also prohibited.

• Montgomery County, MDHeavy RestrictionsMC311 (311) / Montgomery Planning Dept.

  Montgomery County has three tree protection laws: Forest Conservation Law (Chapter 22A), Roadside Tree Law (Chapter 49), and Tree Canopy Law (Chapter 55). Roadside/street tree removal requires permits from both the county and the state. Forest conservation plans required for properties over 40,000 sq ft undergoing development.

• New York, NYHeavy RestrictionsWritten consent of Parks Commissioner / Tree Work Permit

  Removing a street or park tree in New York City requires the written consent of the Parks Commissioner under Administrative Code Sec. 18-129. Unauthorized removal is a misdemeanor (up to $15,000 fine and one year in jail) plus a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per tree, and offenders can be barred from obtaining tree-work consent for up to two years.

• Norfolk, VAHeavy Restrictions1:1 to 3:1 typical

  Norfolk requires permits to remove any tree in the public right-of-way, Chesapeake Bay buffer, or protected canopy area. Private trees outside these zones can generally be removed, but replacement rules apply for site plan properties.

• Ocoee, FLHeavy RestrictionsRequired from Planning

  Ocoee requires a tree removal permit for any protected tree 8 inches DBH or larger on private property. Replacement or mitigation fees apply unless the tree qualifies as dangerous under FL §163.045, which preempts local permits when an ISA-certified arborist documents the risk.

• Oro Valley, AZHeavy Restrictions

  Saguaro, ironwood, and other species protected under ARS 3-904 require state permits before removal. Development projects must submit Native Plant Preservation Plans.

• Philadelphia, PAHeavy RestrictionsHealthy trees 2.5-inch DBH or larger removed by development

  Under Philadelphia Code Section 14-705(1)(e), heritage trees on a development lot may not be removed unless the applicant replaces them per the tree-replacement standards or obtains a Zoning Board special exception. Healthy trees 2.5-inch DBH or larger removed during development generally must be replaced so the total caliper of replacements equals the total caliper removed.

• Pima County, AZHeavy RestrictionsAZ Dept of Agriculture (ADA)

  Pima County Code Ch. 18.72 requires permits for native plant removal during development. ARS 3-904 makes destroying saguaro, ironwood, or palo verde without an ADA permit a Class 4 felony.

• Sarasota, FLHeavy Restrictions

  City of Sarasota bans removing a grand (heritage) tree, a large live oak, pine, or cedar, unless the director of development services grants a specific exemption.

• Scottsdale, AZHeavy RestrictionsUp to $10,000 per plant

  Scottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance (Chapter 46, Article V) protects indigenous desert plants citywide. Removal or relocation of protected native plants requires a Native Plant program submission. Violations carry fines up to $10,000. The ordinance covers saguaro cacti, palo verde trees, mesquite, ironwood, and dozens of other protected species.

• West Palm Beach, FLHeavy Restrictions4 inch DBH

  West Palm Beach requires a tree removal permit for any tree 4-inch DBH or greater under City Code §94 Article XIII. FL §163.045 only exempts removal where a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents danger to persons or property.

• Akron, OHSignificant Restrictions

  Want a city-owned street tree gone from in front of your Akron property for a driveway or sewer project? Section 101.11 lets the city remove it, but you pay the removal cost and the tree's appraised value, backed by a lien on your property until it's paid.

• Alachua County, FLSignificant RestrictionsNative tree ≥ 8" dbh removal

  Alachua County requires a tree removal permit before any regulated tree, native species eight inches or larger in diameter, comes down on unincorporated land, under Alachua County Code § 406.16.2. Lots of record of one acre or less skip mitigation if no champion or heritage tree is removed; clearing a champion or heritage tree, or clearing beyond one acre, triggers permit review and replacement planting under Table 406.15.1.

• Albany, NYSignificant Restrictions$500 plus 15 days jail

  In Albany, only the Department of General Services or a permit holder may cut, prune, plant, move, or remove any tree in a public street or park. A tree and vegetation permit must be obtained first, and violations trigger stop-work orders, fines, and per-inch restitution.

• Allegheny County, PASignificant Restrictions125% replacement woodland

  Allegheny County caps how much woodland a subdivision or land development can clear, no more than 50% of mature woodland or 75% of total woodland, and bars any removal before final plan approval.

• Allen, TXSignificant RestrictionsYes: for any tree citywide

  Allen requires a city tree removal permit before anyone cuts down, damages, or destroys any tree citywide: the only exception is single-family and duplex lots that have already passed final inspection. Removing protected trees triggers replacement planting or mitigation tree credits.

State-by-State Breakdown

How each state leans overall, counted from every rule on record for this topic in that state. The counts include places that are not listed above. Columns run from Heavy Restrictions to Few Restrictions.

Complete List

The other 558 places, in the same order: by level, then by name.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees rules by state →

Frequently Asked Questions