Burlington Code Chapter 43 (Trees) prohibits the removal, pruning, or damage of any public shade tree without written permission from the City Arborist; private property trees are largely unregulated unless within heritage or historic overlays.
Chapter 43 vests authority over all street trees, park trees, and public-property trees in the Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront's Tree Warden / City Arborist. Removal requires arborist approval, justification (disease, hazard, conflict), and replacement under the city's two-for-one replanting policy. Pruning by abutters is also restricted — only the arborist or licensed contractors operating under permit may prune branches over public ways. Private trees outside historic districts may be removed without permit but encroachment rules still apply.
Ch. 43 §43-7: civil penalty up to $500 per tree plus replacement value (often thousands).
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See how Burlington's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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