Rockland County, NY Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Rockland County tree removal permitting is handled at town/village level. Clarkstown Town Code Chapter 254 (Trees) requires a permit to remove any tree 6 inches DBH or larger on undeveloped land, during subdivision/site plan review, or in steep-slope zones; single-family owner-occupied yards with established trees generally exempt except for heritage specimens. Ramapo Town Code Chapter 188 protects trees on slopes exceeding 15% grade, in environmental conservation overlay zones, and during subdivision with replacement ratios of 1:1 to 3:1 required. Orangetown Chapter 35 requires permits to remove trees over 8 inches DBH outside established residential yards, with specific protections for riverfront buffer zones along the Sparkill Creek and Hudson River. Village of Nyack has a heritage tree ordinance protecting all trees over 24 inches DBH with public hearing required for removal. Piermont riverfront overlay requires Planning Board review for tree removal near wetlands. Dead, diseased, or storm-damaged hazardous trees typically qualify for expedited permits (often within 48 hours). Street trees in town ROW managed by highway departments - homeowners cannot remove. NY RPAPL §861 provides treble-damages civil remedy for wrongful tree injury. NYS DEC regulates tree removal in freshwater wetland adjacent areas (100-ft buffer) under 6 NYCRR Part 664. Palisades Interstate Park trees are federal/state property.