Philadelphia Code section 9-208 makes Philadelphia Parks and Recreation the legal custodian of all street trees and protected canopy in the public right-of-way. Pruning, removal, or planting requires a free Street Tree Permit, and damage triggers replacement valuation under the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers formula.
Title 9, section 9-208 designates Philadelphia Parks and Recreation as steward of street trees within rights-of-way and authorizes promulgation of Street Tree Regulations. Property owners abut public-tree-pit stewardship duties but cannot remove, prune above two-and-a-half inches caliper, or replant without a Parks and Recreation Street Tree Permit, issued without fee. Specimen trees, mature canopy, and city-listed legacy trees receive heightened review under the Philadelphia Tree Ordinance Amendment of 2022 (Bill 220093). Damage or unauthorized removal triggers replacement valuation under the CTLA Trunk Formula, with restitution payable to the Tree Trust Fund. The 2022 Philly Tree Plan and PCPC zoning provisions add tree-replacement ratios for site-plan-controlled developments above section 14-705.
Unauthorized removal or topping draws fines starting at three hundred dollars per inch DBH under section 9-208(7), CTLA-formula tree-value restitution often exceeding ten thousand dollars per mature specimen, and Parks denial of future permit applications.
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture maintains a Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine covering Philadelphia County under 7 Pa. Code chapter 110a. Tree-of-heaven, ...
Philadelphia, PA
Phila. Code §14-705(1)(f) protects heritage trees, defined as listed species with 24+ inch diameter at breast height (DBH). Heritage trees cannot be removed ...
Philadelphia, PA
Phila. Code §14-705 requires a landscape and tree preservation plan for development on lots over 5,000 sq ft. L&I will not issue a zoning permit for heritage...
See how Philadelphia's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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