New Castle County, DE Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

New Castle County tree regulation is not a blanket permit system for individual homeowner tree removal. Instead, the UDC (Article 40, landscape and tree preservation sections) focuses on trees in the context of land development, subdivision, and commercial site plans. New subdivisions must submit a tree preservation plan identifying existing trees above specified diameter (typically 6 to 12 inch DBH) and demonstrate preservation of a percentage of canopy or specimen trees. Commercial developments must meet landscape coverage and tree preservation standards. For an individual homeowner on an existing residential lot, removal of trees on private property generally does not require a county permit unless the tree is within a designated forest preservation easement, conservation easement, or subdivision open space. Trees in the public right-of-way (along county roads) are managed by NCC Department of Public Works; residents cannot remove them without permission, and the county handles trimming near utility lines in coordination with Delmarva Power. The Delaware Forest Service (Del. Code Title 3 §1011) provides urban forestry assistance but does not regulate private tree removal. HOAs in subdivisions like Hockessin, Pike Creek, and Brandywine Hundred frequently impose tree removal covenants and architectural review requirements enforced privately. State parks and DNREC-owned land have strict tree protection.