NYC's primary tree protection law is NYC Admin Code Title 18, Chapter 1 (§§18-107 through 18-146), administered by NYC Parks. Local Law 3 of 2010 established NYC's urban forestry plan and tree planting requirements.
NYC's tree protection framework is codified in NYC Administrative Code Title 18, Chapter 1, covering street trees, park trees, and related protections. Key provisions: §18-107 establishes the Tree Fund; §18-129 prohibits unauthorized damage/removal; §18-146 makes willful destruction a misdemeanor. Local Law 3 of 2010 directed the creation of NYC's urban forest master plan and requires street tree planting as part of most new residential and commercial development. The 2023 Forest for All Executive Order set a 30% canopy cover goal by 2035. The NYC Zoning Resolution (§26-41) requires street tree planting at one tree per 25 ft of street frontage for new development. NYC Parks Forestry administers enforcement with the NYC Department of Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP). Property owners are responsible for watering street trees adjacent to their buildings but may not prune without a Parks permit.
Criminal willful destruction under §18-146: class B misdemeanor up to $15,000 and/or 90 days jail. Civil penalties for unauthorized work: $5,000–$15,000+.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn pools must be enclosed by a self-closing, self-latching barrier at least 4 feet high per NYC Building Code and Health Code §165.57.
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn fence height, placement, and visibility rules are governed by NYC Zoning Resolution §23-44 and DOB Building Code, with extra rules in landmark distr...
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn fences under 6 feet in rear/side yards and under 4 feet in front yards generally do not require a DOB permit, but zoning and landmark rules still ap...
Kings County, NY
Retaining walls over 4 feet or supporting a surcharge require DOB permits and licensed professional design in Brooklyn under NYC Building Code.
Kings County, NY
Feeding pigeons, squirrels, raccoons, or other wildlife that creates unsanitary conditions is prohibited in Brooklyn under NYC Health Code §153.09.
Kings County, NY
Brooklyn residents may keep backyard hens, but roosters, ducks, geese, turkeys, pigs, goats, and sheep are prohibited under NYC Health Code §161.01.
See how Kings County's tree ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.