2026 Fee Guide

Tree Removal Permit Cost by State and Tree Type

Tree permit fees range from free for hazard trees to $500 or more for heritage oaks. Here is what actually gets charged, who issues the permit, and when replacement trees are required.

By Brian WilliamsPublished April 21, 2026Updated April 22, 2026

Quick Answer: A standard residential tree removal permit costs $25 to $150. Heritage or protected tree permits cost $100 to $500 and usually require a replacement tree or mitigation payment. Dead or dangerous trees are often free once you document the condition.

Why Tree Permits Exist

Tree ordinances protect three distinct public interests. Understanding which applies to your tree tells you almost everything about what you will pay and how long it will take.

Heritage and native tree protection

Cities designate certain species or size thresholds (commonly 19 to 24 inches DBH) as heritage trees. Removal requires justification and usually a replacement plan.

Protected species

State and federal lists protect specific species regardless of location. Arizona saguaro, Florida mangrove, California coast live oak, and Hawaii native species all fall here.

Public safety and right-of-way

Trees in the public right-of-way (the strip between sidewalk and street) are city property. You cannot remove them without a permit even if they are in front of your house.

Who Needs a Tree Removal Permit

Most cities require a permit if any one of these applies. If none apply, you likely do not need a permit, but always verify before cutting.

Permit Usually Required

Trunk diameter above the local threshold (commonly 6 inches in Atlanta, 12 inches in Portland, 19 inches in Austin, 24 inches in San Antonio)
Protected species (oaks in California and Texas, mangroves in Florida, saguaros in Arizona, native species in Hawaii)
Historic district or designated landmark property
Public right-of-way or city-maintained parkway tree
Property in an HOA with tree covenants
Commercial or multi-tree land clearing (often triggers environmental review)

Permit Often Waived

Dead trees confirmed by an ISA Certified Arborist
Imminent hazard trees threatening structures or power lines
Private land below the diameter threshold in permissive states
Fruit trees, ornamentals, and shrubs on residential lots
Invasive species removal (some cities actively encourage)
Post-storm emergency removal (typically allowed with 72-hour after-the-fact notification)

Free Permits for Hazard Trees

Most cities waive the permit fee entirely for trees that genuinely threaten life or property. You still have to apply, and you still have to document the condition, but the fee is usually zero.

What qualifies for a free hazard permit

Dead tree confirmed by an ISA Certified Arborist (usually required for free status)
Tree leaning toward a house, power line, or pedestrian path with visible root failure
Tree damaged in a storm and structurally compromised
Infected tree threatening neighboring trees (oak wilt, Dutch elm, emerald ash borer)

Florida went further: state law FS 163.045 preempts municipal tree removal permits for documented dangerous trees. You need an arborist report, but no city fee.

Typical Fee Ranges by Tree Type

$0–$50

Dead or hazard tree

Most cities waive fee with arborist report

$25–$150

Standard removal

Healthy tree above threshold, no heritage status

$100–$500+

Heritage or protected

Plus replacement tree or mitigation payment

Replacement tree rules

Heritage and protected tree permits almost always carry a replacement requirement. The structure is usually one of these three:

1:1 to 3:1 ratio— plant one to three replacement trees per tree removed, on your property or in a nearby public space
Caliper-inch replacement— total caliper inches of replacement trees must equal the DBH of the removed tree (a 24 inch oak could be replaced by eight 3-inch saplings)
Payment in lieu— many cities allow a payment to a tree mitigation fund instead of physical replacement, typically $100 to $300 per caliper inch

Who Pays the Permit Fee

In a residential contract, payment responsibility depends on the scope of work and how the contract is written. Here is what is typical.

Homeowner pays (most common)

For a simple homeowner-initiated removal, the homeowner files the permit and pays the fee. The tree service shows up, cuts the tree, and charges separately.

Tree service pulls the permit

Some full-service tree companies will pull the permit on your behalf and bundle the fee into the quote. Always confirm which version of the contract you signed.

Split between homeowner and developer

On new construction sites, the developer usually pulls a master tree clearing permit. Individual homeowners buying into the subdivision inherit any replacement obligations.

Permit Cost by State

Tree permit authority in the US is almost entirely municipal. The table below captures the typical residential fee, who issues the permit, and one notable state-level rule. Municipal fees often vary within a state, so verify with your city before applying.

State	Typical Fee	Issuing Authority	Notable Rule
Alabama	Varies by municipality	City arborist or building department	Mobile and Birmingham require permits for protected species. Most rural areas have no ordinance.
Arizona	$0 to $150	City planning or AZ Dept. of Agriculture (native plants)	Saguaro, ironwood, mesquite, and palo verde are protected statewide under the Arizona Native Plant Law. Salvage tag required for development sites.
California	$50 to $500+	City urban forestry division	Native oak ordinances in most cities. Replacement ratio commonly 1:1 to 3:1. Los Angeles protected tree permit starts around $400.
Colorado	$0 to $100	City forester	Denver requires a free permit for tree removal in the public right-of-way. Private trees usually unregulated on residential lots.
Florida	$0 to $300	City or county arborist	FL state law preempts municipal tree removal permits for documented dangerous trees (FS 163.045). Mangroves protected federally.
Georgia	$50 to $300	City arborist	Atlanta tree ordinance covers trees 6 inches DBH and larger on private property. Recompense fee of roughly $100 per caliper inch when replacement is impossible.
Hawaii	$50 to $500	County arborist / Exceptional Tree Committee	Exceptional Trees designated by county committees cannot be removed without state-level review. Native species broadly protected.
Illinois	$25 to $150	Village or city forester	Chicago parkway trees (between sidewalk and street) are city property. Private tree removal usually unregulated outside HOA jurisdictions.
Massachusetts	$25 to $100	City tree warden	MGL Chapter 87 requires a public hearing before cutting any public shade tree on a public way.
New York	$0 to $500	NYC Parks or town building dept.	NYC street tree removal requires Parks approval and carries replacement costs of roughly $2,500 per caliper inch for unpermitted removal.
North Carolina	Varies by municipality	Planning department	Raleigh tree conservation ordinance applies to developments over 2 acres. Most homeowner removals exempt in incorporated limits.
Oregon	$50 to $400	Urban forestry	Portland requires a permit for any tree 12 inches DBH or larger on private property. Heritage trees carry a higher fee and replacement requirement.
Texas	$25 to $300	City arborist	Austin protects heritage trees at 19 inches DBH. San Antonio uses 24 inches. Dallas requires mitigation fees for protected trees removed without a permit.
Virginia	Varies by municipality	City arborist	Arlington and Fairfax counties require permits for trees in the right-of-way. Most private removals unregulated by state.
Washington	$50 to $400	Urban forestry division	Seattle requires a permit for any tree over 6 inches DBH in certain zones, and all Exceptional Trees regardless of size.

States not listed typically rely entirely on municipal ordinances with no state-level protected species list. Always verify with your city.

What Drives Cost Up

Two identical removals in two cities can differ by 10x. Here is what moves the bill.

Heritage or protected species classification

Routine removal permits run $25 to $150. Heritage tree permits typically run $100 to $500 and trigger replacement requirements that can add $500 to $3,000 more.

Arborist report requirement

Most protected tree permits require a report from an ISA Certified Arborist ($150 to $500). Some cities also require a separate site survey ($250 to $750).

Replacement tree or mitigation fee

Replacement trees cost $150 to $600 each installed. Payment in lieu runs $100 to $300 per caliper inch of the original tree.

Right-of-way or public property location

Parkway trees (between sidewalk and street) are city property. Permits for right-of-way trees often cost more and may require city-supervised removal.

Public hearing for contested removals

When neighbors object or a heritage tree is contested, many cities require a hearing. Hearing fees run $250 to $1,000 and add 60 to 90 days to the timeline.

Emergency after-hours processing

Post-storm emergency removals are usually free if documented within 72 hours. Same-day expedited processing for non-emergency permits typically doubles the fee.

Penalties for Unpermitted Removal

A $100 permit you skipped can become a five-figure problem. Here is what cities actually charge.

Standard tree, no permit: $500 to $2,500 fine plus mandatory replacement
Heritage tree, no permit: $5,000 to $25,000 fine. Some cities calculate by tree value ($5,000 per inch of DBH is common).
NYC street tree, no permit: Roughly $2,500 per caliper inch based on Parks Department valuation. A mature 24 inch street tree can trigger a $60,000 bill.
Arizona saguaro, no salvage tag: Up to $10,000 per plant under the Native Plant Law.
Insurance effect: If someone is injured by a tree you removed without a permit, your homeowner insurance may deny the claim.

Estimate Your Full Removal Cost

The permit is often 5 percent of the total. Get a local-priced estimate for the tree work itself.

Tree Removal Calculator Stump Grinding Calculator Find a Local Arborist

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to trim branches on my own tree?

Generally no. Most cities allow routine pruning of your own trees on private property. You usually do need a permit if the tree is designated as a heritage tree, is in a public right-of-way, or if the work will remove more than 25 percent of the canopy.

What is a heritage tree?

A heritage tree is a tree protected by local ordinance because of its size, species, age, or historical significance. Thresholds vary widely. Austin, TX uses 19 inches DBH. San Antonio uses 24 inches. San Francisco and Los Angeles designate individual native oaks and redwoods regardless of size.

Can I remove a dead tree without a permit?

In most jurisdictions, yes. Dead, dying, or hazardous trees are usually exempt from permit requirements, but you may still need to document the condition with an ISA-certified arborist report. Some cities require a free hazard tree permit before removal so they can verify the claim.

What does DBH mean?

DBH stands for diameter at breast height, measured at 4.5 feet above ground level. It is the standard measurement used by arborists and most city ordinances to classify trees by size for permit purposes.

Do I have to replace a tree I remove?

Many cities require replacement plantings as a condition of approving a removal permit. Common ratios are 1:1 for standard trees, 2:1 or 3:1 for heritage or protected species. Some cities allow payment into a tree mitigation fund instead of physical replacement, typically $100 to $300 per caliper inch removed.

How long does a tree removal permit take to process?

Simple permits are often issued same-day or within 3 business days. Heritage or protected tree permits require a site visit from a city arborist and typically take 2 to 4 weeks. Appeals or public hearings can extend the timeline to 60 to 90 days.

Do I need a certified arborist to get a tree removal permit?

Not for routine removals. For heritage trees, protected species, or hazard tree claims, most cities require documentation from an ISA Certified Arborist. Arborist reports typically cost $150 to $500 depending on the number of trees and the complexity of the site.

If my HOA approves the removal, do I still need a city permit?

Yes. HOA authority and municipal authority are separate. HOA approval satisfies your CC&Rs but does not override the city ordinance. You may need both approvals before cutting the tree.