Westchester County, NY Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 813.91, Laws of Westchester County
- Scope
- County roads outside cities and villages
- Approval required from
- Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation
- Penalty
- Fine up to $100 (§ 241.51)
Summary
Westchester County requires written approval from the Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation before anyone plants, removes, trims, or damages a shade tree on a county road outside cities and villages.
No person, firm or corporation shall plant, remove, trim, damage or otherwise alter any shade tree or planting on any County road outside of cities or villages without first obtaining approval thereof in writing from the Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation.
(L.L. No. 6-1982, § 1; amended by L.L. No. 19-2010 [4])
Footnotes: --- (4) ---
9. Editor's Note: This local law provided that it take effect 1-1-2011.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47).
Full Breakdown
Under Laws of Westchester County § 813.91, no person, firm, or corporation may plant, remove, trim, damage, or otherwise alter a shade tree or planting on a county road without first getting written approval from the Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation. The rule applies only to county roads outside the county's cities and villages: inside them, the city or village controls its own street trees, though a village or city government may ask the Commissioner to take over that control under the same procedure. The underlying authority derives from Administrative Code § 241.51, which sets a fine of up to $100 for violations.
Violations & Fines
Unauthorized tree work on a county road is prosecuted by the Commissioner of Public Works and Transportation and is punishable by a fine of up to $100 under § 241.51.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to trees in Yonkers or White Plains?
Who approves shade tree work on a Westchester County road?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Westchester County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Westchester County to another location·View the New York tree protection overview
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