Hampshire County issues no tree-removal permit, and there is no county government to run one. For a tree on your own land, no permit is generally needed. For any public shade tree in the road right-of-way, MGL c.87 requires the town tree warden's permit and a public hearing.
Two different rules decide whether you need permission. A tree standing entirely on private property is generally unregulated in Massachusetts, so most Hampshire County homeowners may remove their own yard trees without a permit. A tree within a public way is a public shade tree under MGL c.87 §1, and §3 forbids removing it without a written permit from the municipal tree warden and a posted public hearing where residents may object. Northampton, a Tree City USA community, runs an active tree program and tree warden; Amherst, South Hadley, and Belchertown each appoint their own. Removal tied to a subdivision or site-plan review may pick up conditions through local zoning, separate from c.87.
Removing a public shade tree without the tree warden's permit and hearing violates MGL c.87 and exposes the person to fines and liability for the tree's appraised value. Removing a tree on your own private land carries no state penalty.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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Hampshire County, MA
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See how Hampshire County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
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