Tree Removal Permits in Frederick, MD

Verified against Frederick city sources · last checked 2026-08-06

Do you need a permit?

No permit required for most private trees

The City of Frederick does not require a permit to remove a tree from your own private property, and no diameter threshold triggers one. The city ordinance on trees is written around consent rather than permission: section 22-8 makes it an offence to "cut, belt, destroy or injure any tree or shrubbery on any of the streets, parks or other public places of the city, or on private property, without consent of the owner thereof." As the owner, you are the consent. Two things still reach you. The strip between sidewalk and curb belongs to the city and is governed by state law, not city discretion. And if you are subdividing or grading 40,000 square feet or more, the Frederick City Forest Conservation Ordinance takes over.

Size threshold

None applies to ordinary private removal. The only diameter thresholds in Frederick law sit inside the Forest Conservation Ordinance, where a tree qualifies as a specimen if it has "a diameter measured at four and one-half feet above the ground of ... Twenty-five inches or more as specimen tree; or ... Seventy-five percent or more of the diameter, measured at four and one-half feet above the ground, of the current State champion tree of that species as designated by the Department of Natural Resources." Those figures govern development plan review, not a homeowner with a chainsaw.

What's protected in Frederick

Street trees — everything "planted within the public rights-of-way," which the city says are "managed by the City of Frederick and regulated under the State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Laws." Residents and private tree companies "may not prune City trees without written permission."
Trees in parks and on other public property, under section 22-8.
Specimen trees at 25 inches DBH and state champion trees, plus trees "part of a historic site" or "associated with a historic structure," within the Forest Conservation Ordinance framework.
Trees within ten feet of a city underground utility line: section 22-10.2 makes it "unlawful to place or plant a tree or trees on top of or within ten (10) feet of any underground utility line or equipment of the city," and planting anything in a city utility easement needs prior written approval.
Forest on a tract of 40,000 square feet or more that is the subject of a subdivision, site plan, project plan, grading or sediment control application.

How to apply in Frederick

1
For an ordinary tree in your own yard there is nothing to apply for.
2
If your street tree looks dead, do not cut it. The city: "Call the City Arborist in the Parks Division at 301-600-1233. The tree will be evaluated and removed if necessary."
3
To have a tree planted in front of your property, apply through the Urban Forestry Division: "you must go through the Urban Forestry Division's application process. After submitting the form, your property will be inspected for space and utility conflicts."
4
If you are subdividing or applying for a grading or sediment control permit on 40,000 square feet or more, file a forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan with the Planning Department, with fees paid under Article 11 of the Land Management Code. The Planning Department "shall not accept an application for review until all required fees are paid in full."
5
A residential construction activity on an existing single lot of any size is exempt if it "Does not result in the cumulative cutting, clearing, or grading of more than 20,000 square feet of forest," does not touch forest under a previously approved plan, and is covered by a declaration of intent filed with the Planning Department stating the lot will not be the subject of a regulated activity within five years.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee: There is no fee for private residential tree removal because there is no permit. Within the Forest Conservation Ordinance, the published charge is a noncompliance fee rather than an application fee: "A person found to be in noncompliance with this section, regulations adopted under this section, the forest conservation plan, or the associated two-year maintenance agreement, shall be assessed by the Building Department the penalty of $0.50 per square feet of the area found to be in noncompliance with required forest conservation."
Penalties: Section 22-8 is a municipal infraction: "Violation of this section is declared to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall be the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00)." Section 22-9, failing to trim a tree obstructing the sidewalk or street after written notice, carries "a fine in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00)," and the city may do the work and bill you. Section 22-10.2 carries "the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each violation." Under the Forest Conservation Ordinance, violations "constitute a municipal infraction. The penalty for such violation shall be a fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00," and "Each day a violation continues is a separate violation."
Ordinance: The Code of the City of Frederick, Maryland 1966, Chapter 22 — Streets and Sidewalks, sections 22-8 through 22-10.2 (trees and shrubbery). Section 22-8 derives from Code 1953, section 18.10 and Ord. No. G-80-25, section 1, 7-17-80; section 22-9 from Code 1953, section 18.11, amended by Ord. No. G-80-35 (8-21-80), Ord. No. G-84-2 (2-2-84) and Ord. No. G-96-37 (8-15-96); section 22-10.2 from Ord. No. G-87-9, section 1, 7-9-87. City Code codified through Ordinance No. G-25-14, adopted August 21, 2025 (Supp. No. 111, 11-25). Forest conservation sits separately in the Land Management Code, Article 7 (Environmental Regulations), Section 721 — Forest Conservation, "known and cited as the Frederick City Forest Conservation Ordinance," enacted under Natural Resources Article sections 5-1601 to 5-1613; Land Management Code codified through Ordinance No. G-25-04, enacted March 20, 2025 (Supp. No. 13).

Worth knowing

You must keep your own trees trimmed back off the street. Section 22-9: "All such trees shall be kept trimmed by the owner so that limbs shall not be closer than nine (9) feet above the sidewalk and fifteen (15) feet above any street or alley." The city gives you five days' written notice, then does it and bills you.
The city prunes its own street trees on a schedule: "Our arborists and certified staff maintain public trees on a 5-7 year cycle using a citywide inventory system."
Frederick answers the neighbour question the way most Marylanders do not expect. On a fallen tree: "The property owner is responsible for filing a claim with their own homeowner's insurance, regardless of who owns the tree." On a worrying neighbour tree: "Try speaking with your neighbor about your concerns. They may be willing to trim or remove the tree before any damage occurs." The city does not order private removals.
Mulching a street tree is allowed but regulated by common sense: "mulch should be no more than 2-3 inches deep and kept at least 6 inches away from the trunk. Avoid permanent borders or built-up planters."
Frederick is not in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Frederick County does not appear on the Critical Area Commission's list of Critical Area jurisdictions, so the 1,000-foot tidal buffer regime does not apply anywhere in the city.
Fort Detrick is carved out of the city Forest Conservation Ordinance by name: it applies "to all area within the corporate limits of the City of Frederick with the exception of property of Fort Detrick, a US Army installation."
The tree company you hire must hold a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert licence under Natural Resources Article section 5-417(a)(1). DNR runs a free lookup at dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/forests/tree_expert_search.asp.
The City of Frederick and Frederick County are separate governments. A Frederick mailing address outside the corporate limits is county territory and the city ordinance does not apply.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— Whether the City of Frederick holds a delegated or blanket Maryland Roadside Tree Permit from DNR. The city says street trees are "regulated under the State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Laws" and that it manages them, but does not say under what permit instrument. The DNR Roadside Tree Program page names only Montgomery County as holding delegated authority.
— Whether any city fee schedule carries a tree line item. Chapter 11 of the City Code is titled Fees and Article 11 of the Land Management Code governs forest conservation application fees, but no current schedule listing tree amounts was located.
— The name of the current City Arborist. Only the position and its phone number are published.
— Whether the Frederick Historic District imposes any separate review on tree removal. The city publishes historic district regulations but no tree-specific provision was found.
— Whether there is any storm or emergency exemption from section 22-9 trimming duties or the Forest Conservation Ordinance. Neither text addresses it.

Sources

Who to contact in Frederick

City Arborist, Parks and Recreation Department (Urban Forestry Division), The City of Frederick

City Arborist 301-600-1233. Parks and Recreation 301-600-1450. DPW switchboard, 24 hours, 301-600-1440. General inquiries 301-600-1380. Official page

Parks and Recreation, 121 N Bentz Street, Frederick, MD 21701. City Hall, 101 N Court Street, Frederick, MD 21701.

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Size threshold

What's protected in Frederick

Street trees — everything "planted within the public rights-of-way," which the city says are "managed by the City of Frederick and regulated under the State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Laws." Residents and private tree companies "may not prune City trees without written permission."

Trees in parks and on other public property, under section 22-8.

Specimen trees at 25 inches DBH and state champion trees, plus trees "part of a historic site" or "associated with a historic structure," within the Forest Conservation Ordinance framework.

Trees within ten feet of a city underground utility line: section 22-10.2 makes it "unlawful to place or plant a tree or trees on top of or within ten (10) feet of any underground utility line or equipment of the city," and planting anything in a city utility easement needs prior written approval.

Forest on a tract of 40,000 square feet or more that is the subject of a subdivision, site plan, project plan, grading or sediment control application.

How to apply in Frederick

1
For an ordinary tree in your own yard there is nothing to apply for.
2
If your street tree looks dead, do not cut it. The city: "Call the City Arborist in the Parks Division at 301-600-1233. The tree will be evaluated and removed if necessary."
3
To have a tree planted in front of your property, apply through the Urban Forestry Division: "you must go through the Urban Forestry Division's application process. After submitting the form, your property will be inspected for space and utility conflicts."
4
If you are subdividing or applying for a grading or sediment control permit on 40,000 square feet or more, file a forest stand delineation and forest conservation plan with the Planning Department, with fees paid under Article 11 of the Land Management Code. The Planning Department "shall not accept an application for review until all required fees are paid in full."
5
A residential construction activity on an existing single lot of any size is exempt if it "Does not result in the cumulative cutting, clearing, or grading of more than 20,000 square feet of forest," does not touch forest under a previously approved plan, and is covered by a declaration of intent filed with the Planning Department stating the lot will not be the subject of a regulated activity within five years.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee

There is no fee for private residential tree removal because there is no permit. Within the Forest Conservation Ordinance, the published charge is a noncompliance fee rather than an application fee: "A person found to be in noncompliance with this section, regulations adopted under this section, the forest conservation plan, or the associated two-year maintenance agreement, shall be assessed by the Building Department the penalty of $0.50 per square feet of the area found to be in noncompliance with required forest conservation."

Penalties

Section 22-8 is a municipal infraction: "Violation of this section is declared to be a municipal infraction. The penalty for violation shall be the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00)." Section 22-9, failing to trim a tree obstructing the sidewalk or street after written notice, carries "a fine in an amount not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00)," and the city may do the work and bill you. Section 22-10.2 carries "the sum of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each violation." Under the Forest Conservation Ordinance, violations "constitute a municipal infraction. The penalty for such violation shall be a fine in an amount not to exceed $1,000.00," and "Each day a violation continues is a separate violation."

Ordinance

The Code of the City of Frederick, Maryland 1966, Chapter 22 — Streets and Sidewalks, sections 22-8 through 22-10.2 (trees and shrubbery). Section 22-8 derives from Code 1953, section 18.10 and Ord. No. G-80-25, section 1, 7-17-80; section 22-9 from Code 1953, section 18.11, amended by Ord. No. G-80-35 (8-21-80), Ord. No. G-84-2 (2-2-84) and Ord. No. G-96-37 (8-15-96); section 22-10.2 from Ord. No. G-87-9, section 1, 7-9-87. City Code codified through Ordinance No. G-25-14, adopted August 21, 2025 (Supp. No. 111, 11-25). Forest conservation sits separately in the Land Management Code, Article 7 (Environmental Regulations), Section 721 — Forest Conservation, "known and cited as the Frederick City Forest Conservation Ordinance," enacted under Natural Resources Article sections 5-1601 to 5-1613; Land Management Code codified through Ordinance No. G-25-04, enacted March 20, 2025 (Supp. No. 13).

Worth knowing

You must keep your own trees trimmed back off the street. Section 22-9: "All such trees shall be kept trimmed by the owner so that limbs shall not be closer than nine (9) feet above the sidewalk and fifteen (15) feet above any street or alley." The city gives you five days' written notice, then does it and bills you.
The city prunes its own street trees on a schedule: "Our arborists and certified staff maintain public trees on a 5-7 year cycle using a citywide inventory system."
Frederick answers the neighbour question the way most Marylanders do not expect. On a fallen tree: "The property owner is responsible for filing a claim with their own homeowner's insurance, regardless of who owns the tree." On a worrying neighbour tree: "Try speaking with your neighbor about your concerns. They may be willing to trim or remove the tree before any damage occurs." The city does not order private removals.
Mulching a street tree is allowed but regulated by common sense: "mulch should be no more than 2-3 inches deep and kept at least 6 inches away from the trunk. Avoid permanent borders or built-up planters."
Frederick is not in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. Frederick County does not appear on the Critical Area Commission's list of Critical Area jurisdictions, so the 1,000-foot tidal buffer regime does not apply anywhere in the city.
Fort Detrick is carved out of the city Forest Conservation Ordinance by name: it applies "to all area within the corporate limits of the City of Frederick with the exception of property of Fort Detrick, a US Army installation."
The tree company you hire must hold a Maryland Licensed Tree Expert licence under Natural Resources Article section 5-417(a)(1). DNR runs a free lookup at dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/forests/tree_expert_search.asp.
The City of Frederick and Frederick County are separate governments. A Frederick mailing address outside the corporate limits is county territory and the city ordinance does not apply.

What we could not confirm

We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.

— Whether the City of Frederick holds a delegated or blanket Maryland Roadside Tree Permit from DNR. The city says street trees are "regulated under the State of Maryland Roadside Tree Care Laws" and that it manages them, but does not say under what permit instrument. The DNR Roadside Tree Program page names only Montgomery County as holding delegated authority.
— Whether any city fee schedule carries a tree line item. Chapter 11 of the City Code is titled Fees and Article 11 of the Land Management Code governs forest conservation application fees, but no current schedule listing tree amounts was located.
— The name of the current City Arborist. Only the position and its phone number are published.
— Whether the Frederick Historic District imposes any separate review on tree removal. The city publishes historic district regulations but no tree-specific provision was found.
— Whether there is any storm or emergency exemption from section 22-9 trimming duties or the Forest Conservation Ordinance. Neither text addresses it.