Tree Protection in Connecticut (2026)
18 rules on the books across Connecticut, 13 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Heritage & Protected Trees
Extra protections for old, large, or historically significant trees, including the penalties for removing them without approval.
Hartford
Some RestrictionsHartford's Tree Advisory Commission catalogs Legacy Trees chosen for size, age or historic value, and removing one…
Read full rule →New Britain
Some RestrictionsNew Britain's tree warden runs a legacy tree program under § 17-88 that catalogs trees of unique historic or aesthetic…
Read full rule →Norwalk
Some RestrictionsNorwalk's Tree Warden designates trees of exceptional size, history or public significance as Legacy Trees under §…
Read full rule →Ridgefield
Some RestrictionsRidgefield's Tree Warden can designate landmark, notable and asset trees for protection under Town Code Chapter 329…
Read full rule →Meriden
Light RestrictionsMeriden has no separate heritage tree ordinance, but Section 213-72B(4) directs the Planning Commission and Zoning…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Hartford
Significant RestrictionsHartford requires a City Forester permit before anyone removes a City Tree, a private tree with a trunk 13 inches DBH…
Read full rule →West Haven
Light RestrictionsThe City of West Haven, Connecticut protects no tree species by name. Chapter 213 instead lets the Tree Warden…
Read full rule →Parkway Planting
Permits and rules for planting in the parkway strip between sidewalk and curb, including approved species lists and Bureau of Street Services standards.
Bridgeport
Significant RestrictionsPlanting a tree or shrub in a Bridgeport public street requires a tree warden permit, and plantings must leave a…
Read full rule →Meriden
Significant RestrictionsIn Meriden, planting any tree or shrub on public land or the public way requires a Tree Warden permit, and street tree…
Read full rule →Fairfield
Some RestrictionsAnyone planting a tree or shrub in the Town of Fairfield's street right-of-way must submit a Tree Warden application…
Read full rule →Hartford
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree in a Hartford public place or right-of-way takes written City Forester permission first, unless the…
Read full rule →New Britain
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree in a New Britain public place or street right-of-way requires a permit from the tree warden under §…
Read full rule →New Haven
Some RestrictionsNew Haven's city charter puts all planting, trimming, and removal of trees along city streets and in parks under the…
Read full rule →Norwalk
Some RestrictionsAnyone who wants to plant a tree or shrub in a Norwalk public place, including the street right-of-way, needs a written…
Read full rule →Stamford
Some RestrictionsPlanting a tree or shrub within any Stamford public road or grounds requires written permission from the Landscape…
Read full rule →Stratford
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Stratford, Connecticut, developers using the Transit-Oriented Overlay District must plant street trees…
Read full rule →Bristol
Light RestrictionsStreet and parkway tree planting on city-owned rights-of-way in the City of Bristol, Connecticut runs through the tree…
Read full rule →Hamden
Few RestrictionsHamden's Public Works Department, under the Tree Warden's supervision, runs an ongoing town tree planting program aimed…
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