Albany County has no countywide tree-removal permit; regulation is municipal. City of Albany Code Ch. 337 requires permits for street trees and trees on public property. Town of Bethlehem and Colonie regulate trees in conservation districts. Private trees generally unregulated except in wetland or floodplain buffers.
Albany County does not impose a countywide tree removal permit requirement. City of Albany Code Chapter 337 (Trees) gives the Department of General Services authority over all trees in public rights-of-way, parks, and city-owned land. A written permit from the City Forester is required to plant, prune, or remove any street tree; unauthorized removal triggers replacement fees based on appraisal using Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers (CTLA) methods. Town of Bethlehem Chapter 128-77 regulates trees in conservation overlay districts and along Normanskill and Hudson River buffers. Town of Colonie requires tree preservation plans for subdivisions over 5 acres. NYSDEC Article 24 (Freshwater Wetlands Act) and Article 15 (Protection of Waters) require permits for removal within regulated wetland adjacent areas (100 ft buffer) and streambed vegetation. Private trees on residential lots outside these buffers are generally unregulated. Utility trimming by National Grid follows NYS PSC Part 87 vegetation management rules.
Unauthorized street tree removal: City of Albany Ch. 337 — replacement cost plus fine $250 to $1,000 (first offense), up to $10,000 for heritage trees. NYSDEC wetland buffer violations: ECL §71-2303 civil penalties up to $10,000/day.
Albany County, NY
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