Westchester County Tree Code Chapter 277 protects heritage trees on county property and rights-of-way, and many villages designate native species like white oak, sugar maple, and American elm for additional protection on private parcels above defined diameter thresholds.
Chapter 277 of the Westchester County Code regulates tree work in the county-controlled right-of-way and on county parkland, requiring permits for removal of any tree above defined DBH, often 8 to 12 inches. Heritage designation can apply to trees of unusual size, age, or species value. Municipalities including Bedford, Pound Ridge, and Scarsdale layer additional protected-species lists onto private property, requiring permits to remove specimen native trees. Invasive species like tree-of-heaven are not protected and may be removed without permits in most jurisdictions.
Removing a protected or heritage tree without a permit can carry fines from 250 to several thousand dollars per tree, plus replacement requirements. Repeat offenses or commercial-scale violations can trigger stop-work orders and arborist license review.
Mount Vernon, NY
Permits required to remove any public tree or street tree in Mount Vernon. Private residential tree removal generally does not require a permit absent site p...
Mount Vernon, NY
Mount Vernon does not maintain a formal heritage/landmark tree registry. Significant street and park trees are protected under Chapter 222 (Trees) and DPW ju...
See how Mount Vernon's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.