Tree-removal permitting in the Town of Colonie operates through Chapter 177 (Trees), adopted by Local Law No. 6-1970, and Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use). The Planning Board, during subdivision and site-plan review under Chapter 190, may designate areas where trees must be left standing; no live tree exceeding three inches in diameter may be cut down in such areas without Planning Board consent. The Town does not impose a separate, standalone tree-removal permit for routine private-lot removals outside protected areas; right-of-way trees are coordinated with the Department of Public Works.
Colonie's tree-removal-permit framework is built on Chapter 177 of the Code of the Town of Colonie (https://ecode360.com/13241663), adopted June 25, 1970 by Local Law No. 6-1970, and Chapter 190 (Zoning and Land Use) (https://ecode360.com/13241671). Chapter 177 establishes the Planning Board's authority to require, during subdivision and site-plan approval, that trees be left standing in designated areas on the approved plat. No live tree exceeding three inches in diameter (measured at breast height) may be cut down in such designated areas without the express consent of the Planning Board indicated on the approved plan. Removal authority within building footprints and within 10 feet of building and driveway perimeters is allowed by the Code. There is no separate, standalone tree-removal permit issued by a Town arborist for routine removals of dead, diseased, or hazardous trees on private residential lots outside a Planning-Board-protected area. Removal of trees in the Town right-of-way or on Town-owned land is coordinated with the Department of Public Works (https://www.colonie.org/departments/public-works/). For land-development sites disturbing one acre or more, the NYS DEC SPDES Construction General Permit (GP-0-20-001) under 6 NYCRR Part 750 imposes erosion-and-sediment-control requirements through the Albany County Soil and Water Conservation District. The Conservation Advisory Council (https://www.colonie.org/boards/cac/) reviews planned removals during development-plan review.
Cutting a Planning-Board-protected tree exceeding three inches in diameter without consent violates Chapter 177 and the conditions of the approved subdivision or site-plan under Chapter 190. Penalties follow the Town Code's general violation schedule (typically per-offense fines), plus Planning-Board-imposed replacement plantings, possible stop-work orders on related construction, and refusal of Certificate of Occupancy until conditions are cured. Unauthorized removal of Town-owned or right-of-way trees may trigger restitution for the appraised tree value (ISA methodology). Large-scale clearing may trigger NYS DEC stormwater enforcement under 6 NYCRR Part 750.
Colonie, NY
Abandoned vehicles in the Town of Colonie are handled under New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §1224 (Abandoned Vehicles), which makes the town in which a vehi...
Colonie, NY
Pool barriers in Colonie are governed by the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code (ISPSC) as adopted by reference in the NY State Uniform Code at 19 NYCR...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie Zoning Law does not prescribe a closed list of permitted fence materials, but barbed wire, electrified fencing, and razor wire are genera...
Colonie, NY
Boundary and 'spite fence' disputes in Colonie are governed by New York State common law and statute, not the town zoning code. Real Property Actions and Pro...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie requires a fence/zoning permit from the Department of Building & Code Enforcement before installing a fence, with a plot plan showing fen...
Colonie, NY
The Town of Colonie does not impose a numeric limit on the number of dogs, cats, or other companion animals per household. Chapter 79 Article III caps chicke...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Albany County.
See how other cities in Albany County handle tree removal permits.
See how Colonie's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.