Chapel Hill and Carrboro impose the county's real tree-removal review, and it centers on land development and town street trees rather than a homeowner's routine yard tree. Chapel Hill's LUMO Section 5.7 requires tree protection when land is disturbed; the unincorporated county sets no diameter permit.
Where a permit or approval applies depends on your address and whether you are developing. Chapel Hill's Land Use Management Ordinance Section 5.7 requires a Landscape Protection Plan and preservation of rare, specimen, and significant trees whenever land is disturbed, and town-owned street trees cannot be removed by residents. A 2010 amendment repealed the blanket permit that once covered all private trees 36 inches DBH and larger, so most single-family removals outside development review are no longer a Town case. Carrboro protects trees through its Land Use Ordinance during site review. In the unincorporated county there is no trunk-diameter removal permit for an established yard, only watershed and buffer limits near water.
No penalty for a homeowner removing a yard tree outside a buffer. Removing protected trees during Chapel Hill or Carrboro development review, or a town street tree, brings penalties up to $500 per day plus replacement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Orange County, NC
Orange County requires pool barriers meeting safety codes to prevent drowning. Fences must be at least 4 to 5 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Orange County, NC
Orange County requires permits for retaining walls above a certain height, typically 4 feet. Engineering review may be required for taller walls.
Orange County, NC
Orange County restricts or prohibits intentional feeding of wildlife including deer, coyotes, and bears. Feeding wildlife creates public safety hazards and n...
Orange County, NC
Orange County restricts ownership of exotic and wild animals. Many species require special permits or are prohibited entirely for public safety.
Orange County, NC
Orange County may require hosts to carry liability insurance for short-term rental properties. Minimum coverage amounts vary by jurisdiction.
Orange County, NC
Orange County limits the number of guests allowed in short-term rental properties. Occupancy caps are typically based on bedroom count or square footage to p...
See how Orange County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.