Do you need a permit?
It depends on the tree
Londonderry is the one town in this file with a genuine private-property tree permit, and it applies only inside the Historic District. There, "Mature trees identified as significant (6 feet in circumference as described by the County Extension Service) may not be removed" except in three named situations, a Certificate of Approval from the Historic District Commission is required first, and you must plant a replacement. Note the measurement: six feet of circumference, not diameter. Outside the Historic District there is no tree permit and no threshold - though the Conservation Overlay District around wetlands allows only listed uses, and removing a healthy non-invasive tree is not one of them.
Size threshold
In the Historic District: "Mature trees identified as significant (6 feet in circumference as described by the County Extension Service)." That is circumference, not diameter, and the ordinance does not state the height at which it is measured. Nowhere else in Londonderry is there a size threshold for tree removal.
What's protected in Londonderry
- Significant mature trees in the Historic District. Section 4.6.2.8(F)(3) allows removal only where "a. The tree is dying, dead, decayed, diseased, or a safety hazard to the public; b. Such removal will improve other tree growth; c. Approved for new construction or site work." Section 4.6.2.8(F)(4): "At least one replacement tree, a minimum of six to eight feet in height and of native species, shall be planted when a significant tree has been removed."
- Stone walls, fences and tree borders in the Historic District. Section 4.6.2.8(F)(5): "Historical and traditional markings for property boundaries and grounds, such as stone walls, fences and tree borders shall be preserved."
- Vegetation in the Conservation Overlay (CO) District. Section 4.6.1.3(B) lists the permitted uses and ends with "12. Any uses not listed in this Section are prohibited in the CO District." The only tree removals on that list are "8. Removal of hazardous trees" and "9. Removal of 'invasive' vegetation," plus "6. Forestry, including both logging operations and tree farming subject to RSA 227-j:9."
How to apply in Londonderry
- 1
These steps are for a significant tree inside the Historic District. Outside it, Londonderry issues no tree permit.
- 2
First confirm you are in the district. Section 4.6.2.4B defines the boundaries on Maps 6, 9 and 12 of the Tax Assessor's Map; the Building Department can tell you from your address.
- 3
Section 4.6.2.7(C): submit the application through the Londonderry Building Department. There is no fee.
- 4
Section 4.6.2.7(D): include "a narrative description of the project, detailing materials and intentions regarding the work. The Historic District Commission may request site plans, sketches, building plans and samples when applicable."
- 5
Section 4.6.2.7(E): explain how the project complies with the Section 4.6.2.8 criteria - for a tree, that means showing it fits one of the three grounds in subsection F(3).
- 6
Plan the replacement into the application. Section 4.6.2.8(F)(4) requires at least one native replacement tree, six to eight feet tall.
- 7
Wait for the Certificate of Approval. Section 4.6.2.6(A): the activity "shall not be authorized until and unless a Certificate of Approval is issued by the Historic District Commission."
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Fee
- The Historic District Certificate of Approval is free. Section 4.6.2.7(B): "There shall be no application fee required."
- Penalties
- The zoning ordinance sets no tree-specific fine. Removing a significant Historic District tree without a Certificate of Approval is a zoning violation enforced under RSA 676, and the replacement requirement in Section 4.6.2.8(F)(4) stands regardless. RSA 231:156 covers a public shade tree.
- Ordinance
- Town of Londonderry Zoning Ordinance, as amended through August 18, 2025. Section 4.6.1 (Conservation Overlay District), Section 4.6.2 (Historic District), with the tree rule at Section 4.6.2.8(F)(3)-(5) and the Certificate of Approval requirement at Section 4.6.2.6. Section 4.6.2.4B places the Historic District boundaries on Maps 6, 9 and 12 of the Tax Assessor's Map, at locations including Pillsbury Road, Pillsbury and Mammoth, Grange Hall #44 and 2 Litchfield Road.
Worth knowing
- Read the circumference figure carefully. Six feet of circumference is a substantial old tree, and the ordinance ties the definition to the County Extension Service rather than stating a measuring height - so ask the Building Department how they measure before you assume your tree is under it. We are not converting it to a diameter here because the ordinance does not.
- The Historic District rule is not only about trees. Section 4.6.2.6(C)(3) puts "Alteration, construction or removal of stone walls, fencing, lighting, significant trees or signage within the Historic District" on the same Certificate of Approval list as demolishing a building.
- The Conservation Overlay District reaches further than most people expect. Section 4.6.1.2A covers listed wetlands plus land within 100 feet of their edge, Horsetrail Brook plus 150 feet from the centerline, listed perennial streams plus 100 feet from the centerline, and "All other wetlands and land within 50 feet of the edge of wet of said wetlands except that there shall be exemption of all wetlands less than one-half acre in size."
- CO District buffers ignore your lot lines. Section 4.6.1.2E: "Buffers are applied irrespective of lot lines and municipal boundaries," with an exception where a wetland is bounded by a Class V or better town road or a state or federal highway.
- Londonderry licenses no tree services.
- If you are clearing rather than removing one tree, file the RSA 79:10 Notice of Intent to Cut with the Londonderry assessing officials before starting.
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.
- — The exact street addresses inside the Historic District. The ordinance table pairs assessor map and lot numbers with street locations, and the PDF layout makes the pairing ambiguous; ask the Building Department at 603-432-1100 ext. 115 rather than relying on the table.
- — The height at which the six-foot circumference is measured, and the County Extension Service document the ordinance refers to.
- — How long the Historic District Commission takes to act on a tree application. The ordinance sets a 45-day window only for demolition disapprovals, at Section 4.6.2.8(C)(3).
- — Whether Londonderry has an appointed tree warden under RSA 231:139.
- — Whether Londonderry has any waters that make part of town a protected shoreland under RSA 483-B.
Sources
- Town of Londonderry Zoning Ordinance, as amended through 8-18-2025 (PDF) - Sections 4.6.1 and 4.6.2
- Town of Londonderry - Building & Zoning Enforcement
- Town of Londonderry - Department of Public Works
- NH RSA 231:158 Effect of Designation as Scenic Roads (circumference test)
- NH RSA 79:10 Notice of Intent to Cut