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+.
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Kings County, NY
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Kings County, NY
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Kings County, NY
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Kings County, NY
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Kings County, NY
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Kings County, NY
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