Tree Protection in North Carolina (2026)
30 rules on the books across North Carolina, 16 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.
Cary
Significant RestrictionsCary's Land Development Ordinance bars removal of any designated 'champion tree' during development unless narrow…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Significant RestrictionsCharlotte's UDO Section 20.14 places a protection duty on heritage trees whenever a lot undergoes new principal…
Read full rule →Apex
Some RestrictionsApex has no separate heritage-tree registry; instead, new development must survey and preserve 'specimen trees', any…
Read full rule →Asheville
Some RestrictionsAsheville defines a heritage tree by trunk diameter: 30 inches for a large-maturing species, 24 inches for medium, 15…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville protects trees of 30 inches caliper or larger as specimen trees during development, and bars pruning or…
Read full rule →Greensboro
Some RestrictionsGreensboro's Land Development Ordinance protects large, noteworthy 'specimen trees' as the third-highest priority for…
Read full rule →Raleigh
Some RestrictionsA heritage tree, a single-trunk shade tree 24 inches DBH or larger, or an understory tree 12 inches DBH or larger, can…
Read full rule →Wilmington
Some RestrictionsWilmington's Land Development Code protects unusually large trees as 'significant' once they cross a size threshold…
Read full rule →Durham
Light RestrictionsDurham does not designate individually named heritage trees, but its UDO protects large 'major specimen trees'…
Read full rule →Protected Tree Species
Specific native species (oak, sycamore, walnut, juniper) protected by city ordinance, diameter thresholds, removal permits, and replacement ratios.
Raleigh
Heavy RestrictionsRaleigh's UDO gives a champion tree absolute protection: Sec. 9.1.10.A.3 says no champion tree, including its critical…
Read full rule →Asheville
Significant RestrictionsAsheville protects a narrow category of "regulated trees": those on private property listed as champion or co-champion…
Read full rule →Cary
Significant RestrictionsCary's Land Development Ordinance protects large 'champion trees', individual trees above set caliper thresholds by…
Read full rule →Apex
Some RestrictionsApex's UDO protects any tree 18 inches or larger in caliper, except pines, as a 'Specimen Tree,' triggering…
Read full rule →Brunswick County
Some RestrictionsBrunswick County, North Carolina protects named heritage tree species on qualifying development sites. The UDO defines…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Some RestrictionsCharlotte's Unified Development Ordinance protects "heritage trees": any tree species native to North Carolina under…
Read full rule →Durham
Some RestrictionsDurham's Unified Development Ordinance protects "major specimen trees" on development sites: evergreen canopy trees 18…
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.
Asheville
Significant RestrictionsAnyone who wants to plant a tree or shrub in Asheville's street right-of-way or other city property needs a written…
Read full rule →Apex
Some RestrictionsNew developments along Apex thoroughfares must install streetscape buffer trees in linear or clustered plantings…
Read full rule →Cabarrus County
Some RestrictionsChapter 15, Section 10 of the Cabarrus County Development Ordinance requires one large canopy street tree for every 40…
Read full rule →Cary
Some RestrictionsCary's Land Development Ordinance requires new development to plant upper-story shade trees along street frontage…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Some RestrictionsNew single-family, duplex, triplex, or quadraplex homes in Charlotte must plant street-facing trees under UDO Section…
Read full rule →Concord
Some RestrictionsConcord's Development Ordinance requires an 8-foot-wide street yard along residential streets, with one shade tree for…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsNew Fayetteville development must plant street trees along both sides of every street: canopy trees 25 to 40 feet…
Read full rule →Greensboro
Some RestrictionsAnyone planting a tree in a Greensboro street right-of-way needs a written permit from the parks and recreation…
Read full rule →Guilford County
Some RestrictionsMulti-family and non-residential subdivisions within designated growth areas of Greensboro or High Point must plant…
Read full rule →Harnett County
Some RestrictionsHarnett County requires developers of major subdivisions with more than six lots to plant or retain one deciduous…
Read full rule →Raleigh
Some RestrictionsRaleigh's Unified Development Ordinance requires street trees along new and reconstructed streets, with placement…
Read full rule →Shelby
Some RestrictionsNew development along Shelby street frontages must include a six-foot planting strip behind the curb, grassed or…
Read full rule →Union County
Some RestrictionsNew subdivisions in unincorporated Union County must plant street trees roughly every 50 feet along lot frontages…
Read full rule →Durham
Light RestrictionsWhere a Durham street's right-of-way is too narrow for trees, the city may plant them on an adjacent private lot under…
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