Rock Hill, SC Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits (2026)

Rock Hill's tree-removal-permit framework distinguishes between three regulatory tracks. First, single-family residential private property: routine removal of healthy, dead, diseased, or hazardous trees on a single-family residential lot does not require a general City tree-removal permit. Second, public trees and rights-of-way: the Rock Hill Public Tree Ordinance, administered by the City Forester (Matt Clinton, 803-329-5534) within Community Forestry (https://www.cityofrockhill.com/departments/utilities/community-forestry), requires authorization for any work on a public tree, including street trees in the City right-of-way and trees on other public property. The Rock Hill Tree Commission (https://www.cityofrockhill.com/government/boards-commissions/boards-commissions-list/rock-hill-tree-commission) — meeting the second Monday of each month at 5 PM at the City Operations Center, 757 South Anderson Road — serves as the appeals board on operational decisions and tree-ordinance violations. Third, development sites: commercial, industrial, multifamily, and subdivision projects face tree-inventory, tree-protection-fencing, and replacement-planting conditions under Chapter 31 (Zoning, https://library.municode.com/sc/rock_hill/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCO_CH31ZO) and Planning & Development site-plan review (https://www.cityofrockhill.com/departments/planning-and-development/development-plan-review/development-regulations), with the City Landscape Architect reviewing landscape plans and inspecting final installations. The Permit Application Center (803-329-5590) coordinates required permits across departments. Construction-site land disturbance over one acre additionally requires an SCDES NPDES construction stormwater permit under SC Regulation 72-300. Rock Hill has been a Tree City USA since 1987, requiring (among other standards) an active community tree ordinance reviewed by the SC Forestry Commission.