“Do I need council permission to remove a tree on my property?”

This is one of the most common questions we get here at The Tree Cutting Company. And it’s a great question! The last thing you want is to be hit with a hefty fine for illegally removing a tree.

The short answer is: it depends on your local council.

Navigating council regulations can be confusing. Each council in Sydney has its own set of rules about tree preservation, and these rules are constantly being updated.

To help you out, we’ve put together this guide to understanding the tree removal regulations in some of the major council areas we service.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. You should always contact your local council for the most up-to-date and accurate information before undertaking any tree work.

General Tree Removal Guidelines

While the specifics vary, here are some general rules of thumb that apply to most councils:

• What is considered a “tree”? Most councils define a tree based on its height and/or trunk diameter. A common definition is a plant with a height of 3-5 metres or more, and a trunk diameter of 150-200mm or more when measured at a certain height from the ground.
• Exemptions: Most councils have a list of tree species that are exempt from their tree preservation orders. These are often pest species or trees that are known to cause problems. You may also be exempt from needing a permit if the tree is dead, dying, or poses an immediate danger to life or property.
• Heritage and Conservation Areas: If your property is heritage-listed or in a heritage conservation area, you will almost certainly need to get council approval before removing or pruning any trees.
• Development Applications: If you are removing a tree as part of a larger development or renovation, the tree removal will likely be assessed as part of your Development Application (DA).

Council-Specific Tree Removal Regulations

Here is a breakdown of the tree removal regulations for some of the councils in our service area. For the most detailed and current information, please click the links to visit your council’s website.

Hornsby Shire Council

Hornsby Shire Council has a detailed Tree and Vegetation Preservation Development Control Plan (DCP).

• When you need a permit: A permit is required to prune or remove a “prescribed tree.” This includes most trees in the Hornsby Shire, with some exceptions. All trees on land within a heritage conservation area or on a property with a heritage-listed item are protected.
• Exemptions: Hornsby Shire Council has a list of exempt tree species. You can find this list in their DCP.
• More Information: For more information, please visit the Hornsby Shire Council website.

Hills Shire Council

The Hills Shire Council requires residents to obtain consent for most tree work.

• When you need a permit: You need consent to prune a tree by more than 10%, remove any tree not exempted by the Tree Preservation Order, or substantially alter the soil level within 3 metres of a tree’s trunk.
• Exemptions: You do not need consent to remove a priority weed or a tree grown for its fruit.
• More Information: For detailed guidelines and application forms, visit The Hills Shire Council website.

Ku-ring-gai Council

Ku-ring-gai Council is known for its leafy suburbs, and its tree preservation rules are designed to protect this green canopy.

• When you need a permit: A permit is required for pruning or removing a tree that is 5 metres or more in height or has a trunk diameter of 150mm or more at ground level. Special rules apply to trees on heritage properties or in threatened species communities.
• Exemptions: Dead trees are not automatically exempt. You must get written confirmation from the council that the tree is dead and not required as habitat for native fauna.
• More Information: To learn more and to apply for a permit, visit the Ku-ring-gai Council website.

City of Parramatta Council

The City of Parramatta has specific rules for “protected trees.”

• When you need a permit: A permit is generally required for any tree or palm with a height of 3 metres or more. Stricter rules apply to trees that are part of a heritage item, in a heritage conservation area, or form part of an Aboriginal object or place of heritage significance.
• Application Process: The City of Parramatta has two application streams: a Tree Permit Application and a Development Application for Tree Works (for heritage properties).
• More Information: For details on protected trees, exemptions, and the application process, visit the City of Parramatta Council website.

City of Ryde Council

The City of Ryde’s tree preservation rules are outlined in their Development Control Plan (DCP) 2014.

• Key Aims: The council’s DCP aims to conserve trees of ecological, heritage, aesthetic, and cultural significance, and to ensure that new developments provide space for the healthy growth of large trees.
• More Information: For application forms, fees, and a guide to tree pruning and selection, visit the City of Ryde Council website.

Blacktown City Council

Blacktown City Council regulates tree management on private property to preserve the urban environment.

• When you need a permit: A permit is required to prune or remove a “prescribed tree,” which is defined as a perennial plant with a self-supporting stem that is more than 3 metres high and/or has a trunk diameter of more than 200mm measured 1 metre above ground level.
• Assessment Process: When you apply for a permit, an Urban Forest Officer will inspect the tree. They will consider the tree’s health, structure, and significance to the local area.
• More Information: For application forms and more details on the assessment process, visit the Blacktown City Council website.

Lane Cove Council

Lane Cove Council’s Tree Preservation Order regulates the protection of trees in the local government area.

• When you need a permit: A permit is required to prune or remove a tree that has a height exceeding 4 metres, a canopy spread greater than 5 metres, or a trunk diameter greater than 150mm (measured at 1 metre above the ground).
• Exemptions: A “Fee-Free Tree Works” permit may be available for certain conditions, such as pruning dead branches or removing trees that are declared weeds.
• More Information: To learn more about the Tree Preservation Order and to apply for a permit, visit the Lane Cove Council website.

Don’t Risk It – Call the Professionals!

As you can see, the rules around tree removal can be complex. The best way to avoid any trouble is to get professional advice.

At The Tree Cutting Company, our qualified arborists are experts in local council regulations. We can help you determine if you need a permit and can even assist you with the application process.

If you have a tree you’d like to remove, give us a call today for a free, no-obligation quote. We’re here to help you navigate the process and get the job done safely and legally.