Tree Removal Permits in New Britain, CT

Verified against New Britain city sources · last checked 2026-08-06

Do you need a permit?

It depends on the tree

New Britain adopted a full tree ordinance in 2018 and it does reach private land, but through designation rather than diameter. Section 17-91(a): "The removal of trees identified as legacy trees shall require the approval of the tree warden," and the ordinance says plainly that "Legacy trees may be located on public and private properties." You are supposed to find out by mail — section 17-88 requires the tree warden to "notify the record property owner by regular mail for any legacy tree located on private property." An ordinary undesignated tree in your yard has no size threshold and no permit. The catch is the streetscape tree, which can stand entirely on your lot.

Size threshold

There is no diameter threshold for a private-property removal permit. The size figures that exist are definitional. Section 17-85: "DBH (diameter at breast height) means the diameter of a tree at fifty-four (54) inches above grade as indicated by the United States Forest Service method," and "Tree means any living woody, self-supporting plant that has a defined stem(s) with a DBH of at least two (2) inches using the United States Forest Service method of determination." The same section defines a "Grove" as "a grouping of ten (10) or more trees ... located on one-quarter (1/4) acre or less."

What's protected in New Britain

Legacy trees, wherever they stand. Section 17-85: "Legacy tree means any tree as determined by the tree warden to be of unique and intrinsic value to the general public because of its size, age, historic association, ecological importance or aesthetic value. Legacy trees may be located on public and private properties."
Streetscape trees, which are private-property trees by definition: "any tree on private property with a base that originates in the right-of-way or not more than five (5) feet from the right-of-way and serves as part of the tree line of a street. A tree is considered within the right-of-way if a vertical line from the part of the trunk nearest to the street at a height of fifty-four (54) inches is within the right-of-way."
Public trees — "any tree in a public place," where a public place is "any space owned by the city, including property operated or controlled by the New Britain Board of Education, including any space in a city park."
Trees in the public streets, under a much older and separate rule. Section 21-7: "No person shall cut down or remove any tree or trim any of the trees located in the public streets without the permission of the board of park and recreation commissioners."
Trees planted under an approved site plan. Section 17-93(c): "Trees removed on private property which were planted following an approved site plan shall be required to be replaced if the property owner did not obtain approval of a site plan modification."
Trees on or near a construction or excavation site, which must be protected to ANSI A300 standards under section 17-92, with a five-year bond available at the tree warden's discretion.
Wetlands and aquifer protection areas. The Conservation Commission "is empowered to act as the Inland Wetlands Agency of the City" under C.G.S. 22a-36 through 22a-45 and is also the city's aquifer protection agency under C.G.S. 22a-354 et seq.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee: The tree ordinance sets no application fee for a removal approval. It does set two payment figures on the development side: section 17-94(b) allows payment in lieu of planting "at the price of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per tree not included in the plan," and section 17-94(c) charges "two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per tree for each tree not planted, or removed after a certificate of occupancy was issued in accordance with the approved plan." Both go to the New Britain Tree Account.
Penalties: Section 17-90(c): altering or damaging a city tree without a permit draws "a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per violation," enforced by citation under section 1-17. Section 17-92(b): construction-protection violations draw "a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per day that the violation persists," plus a five-year bond at replacement value under 17-92(c). Section 17-93(d): "If a legacy tree is removed on public property without prior approval of the tree warden, the offending party shall be required to pay the city an amount equal to two (2) times the assessed value of the legacy tree as determined by the tree warden." State law adds C.G.S. 23-65(b), allowing "damages of up to five times the cost of restoration or statutory damages of up to five thousand dollars," and C.G.S. 52-560, awarding "three times the reasonable value" of a tree cut on another's land.
Ordinance: New Britain Code of Ordinances Chapter 17, Article VI — Tree Ordinance, sections 17-83 through 17-96. Every section carries the same adopting citation: Ord. No. 34196-2, adopted July 4, 2018. Also section 21-7 (Code 1970, section 20-12). The Code is codified through Ordinance No. 37187, adopted June 10, 2026 (Supplement No. 40). Landscaping standards live in the separately published Zoning Ordinances. State law: C.G.S. 23-58, 23-59, 23-60, 23-65.

Worth knowing

The tree warden is a board, not a person. Section 17-86: "The board of public works is appointed tree warden of the City of New Britain and shall have all the powers and perform all duties of tree wardens by law provided."
That board can order YOU to cut. Section 17-86 lets it "order such owners to remove, repair or trim trees, hedges or shrubs, or to cut and remove the roots thereof, which may in any way endanger travelers upon the public highways and sidewalks," including trees "in such proximity to the highways as to endanger public travel," and to bill the abutting owner. If you do not comply, the city does the work and collects "by lien or otherwise."
There is an emergency defense. Section 17-90(c) allows an affirmative defense "that it was necessary to take emergency action without a permit because a super hazardous condition existed so that immediate action was required due to the threat of imminent harm."
Appeals are fast and specific. Section 17-91(b) gives five business days to petition for a hearing before the director of public works, who "shall sustain or reverse the decision of the tree warden."
Replacement, where required, is "Replacement of the tree with a tree of equal or greater DBH ... and to be maintained for at least a period of two (2) years from the date of planting by the owner. The owner shall replace any tree that dies during this time period" (section 17-93(f)).
Development plans carry a canopy target: "Public and private development project plans shall require the creation and maintenance of canopy coverage of at least fifty (50) per cent after fifteen (15) years over those areas of the site to be developed that will not include buildings, parking lots or athletic fields" (section 17-94(b)).
The zoning landscaping standards do not touch a house. Zoning section 240-70-100 states that "These regulations relate to any proposed parking areas of twenty-five (25) or more parking spaces or any major modification of any existing parking lots involving fifty (50) or more parking spaces."
New Britain does not license tree contractors. The CT DEEP arborist license under C.G.S. 23-61b applies instead, with a carve-out for work on your own premises.

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.

— What happens when you want to remove an ordinary, undesignated CITY tree. Section 17-90 requires a permit to "alter" a city tree, and "alter" is defined as removing branches or disturbing the soil — it does not mention removal. Section 17-91, titled "Tree removal," addresses only legacy trees. The ordinance has a gap on its face. C.G.S. 23-65(f) supplies the state-law route, but the local text does not.
— Which office actually issues the permission. Section 17-86 makes the Board of Public Works the tree warden; section 21-7 still requires "the permission of the board of park and recreation commissioners" to cut a tree in a public street. Both are in the adopted code. Both are recorded here rather than reconciled. Call Public Works at 860-826-3350 first.
— The tree ordinance's cross-reference to zoning is stale. Section 17-94(a)(3) requires conformance with "sections 240-70-90 through 240-70-90.60 of the City of New Britain Zoning Ordinances," but section 240-70-90 is now the paving standard and the landscaping requirements were renumbered to 240-70-100 et seq. by the amendment of December 18, 2024 (Item 36631-3).
— Whether the legacy tree catalog exists and what is on it. Section 17-88 directs the tree warden to establish the program; no published registry was found.
— Whether the tree inventory required within 180 days of the 2018 ordinance was completed.
— The name and direct number of the person who acts for the Board of Public Works as tree warden day to day.
— New Britain's inland wetlands upland review area distance, and whether its regulations treat tree cutting as a regulated activity. The regulations were not retrieved.
— Whether Connecticut's traprock ridgeline statute (C.G.S. 8-1aa and 8-2) lists New Britain, and whether the city adopted ridgeline regulations.

Sources

Who to contact in New Britain

Public Works Department, City of New Britain. The Board of Public Works is the tree warden by ordinance; Forestry and Horticultural Operations sits inside Public Works. Wetlands and aquifer questions: Conservation Commission.

860-826-3350 (Public Works, City Hall). Conservation Commission / Inland Wetlands Agency 860-826-3430. Official page

Public Works Department, 5th Floor City Hall, 27 West Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051. Conservation Commission, 27 West Main Street, Room 208.

Cost Calculators

Find Tree Services

Browse tree trimming and removal companies in New Britain.

View tree services

Related Permits

Get weekly cost & permit updates

Join homeowners who get free insights on project costs, permit changes, and money-saving tips. No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

Free forever. No credit card. Unsubscribe in one click.

Size threshold

What's protected in New Britain

Legacy trees, wherever they stand. Section 17-85: "Legacy tree means any tree as determined by the tree warden to be of unique and intrinsic value to the general public because of its size, age, historic association, ecological importance or aesthetic value. Legacy trees may be located on public and private properties."

Streetscape trees, which are private-property trees by definition: "any tree on private property with a base that originates in the right-of-way or not more than five (5) feet from the right-of-way and serves as part of the tree line of a street. A tree is considered within the right-of-way if a vertical line from the part of the trunk nearest to the street at a height of fifty-four (54) inches is within the right-of-way."

Public trees — "any tree in a public place," where a public place is "any space owned by the city, including property operated or controlled by the New Britain Board of Education, including any space in a city park."

Trees in the public streets, under a much older and separate rule. Section 21-7: "No person shall cut down or remove any tree or trim any of the trees located in the public streets without the permission of the board of park and recreation commissioners."

Trees planted under an approved site plan. Section 17-93(c): "Trees removed on private property which were planted following an approved site plan shall be required to be replaced if the property owner did not obtain approval of a site plan modification."

Trees on or near a construction or excavation site, which must be protected to ANSI A300 standards under section 17-92, with a five-year bond available at the tree warden's discretion.

Wetlands and aquifer protection areas. The Conservation Commission "is empowered to act as the Inland Wetlands Agency of the City" under C.G.S. 22a-36 through 22a-45 and is also the city's aquifer protection agency under C.G.S. 22a-354 et seq.

Fees, penalties, and the ordinance

Fee

The tree ordinance sets no application fee for a removal approval. It does set two payment figures on the development side: section 17-94(b) allows payment in lieu of planting "at the price of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per tree not included in the plan," and section 17-94(c) charges "two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per tree for each tree not planted, or removed after a certificate of occupancy was issued in accordance with the approved plan." Both go to the New Britain Tree Account.

Penalties

Section 17-90(c): altering or damaging a city tree without a permit draws "a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per violation," enforced by citation under section 1-17. Section 17-92(b): construction-protection violations draw "a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) per day that the violation persists," plus a five-year bond at replacement value under 17-92(c). Section 17-93(d): "If a legacy tree is removed on public property without prior approval of the tree warden, the offending party shall be required to pay the city an amount equal to two (2) times the assessed value of the legacy tree as determined by the tree warden." State law adds C.G.S. 23-65(b), allowing "damages of up to five times the cost of restoration or statutory damages of up to five thousand dollars," and C.G.S. 52-560, awarding "three times the reasonable value" of a tree cut on another's land.

Ordinance

New Britain Code of Ordinances Chapter 17, Article VI — Tree Ordinance, sections 17-83 through 17-96. Every section carries the same adopting citation: Ord. No. 34196-2, adopted July 4, 2018. Also section 21-7 (Code 1970, section 20-12). The Code is codified through Ordinance No. 37187, adopted June 10, 2026 (Supplement No. 40). Landscaping standards live in the separately published Zoning Ordinances. State law: C.G.S. 23-58, 23-59, 23-60, 23-65.

Worth knowing

The tree warden is a board, not a person. Section 17-86: "The board of public works is appointed tree warden of the City of New Britain and shall have all the powers and perform all duties of tree wardens by law provided."
That board can order YOU to cut. Section 17-86 lets it "order such owners to remove, repair or trim trees, hedges or shrubs, or to cut and remove the roots thereof, which may in any way endanger travelers upon the public highways and sidewalks," including trees "in such proximity to the highways as to endanger public travel," and to bill the abutting owner. If you do not comply, the city does the work and collects "by lien or otherwise."
There is an emergency defense. Section 17-90(c) allows an affirmative defense "that it was necessary to take emergency action without a permit because a super hazardous condition existed so that immediate action was required due to the threat of imminent harm."
Appeals are fast and specific. Section 17-91(b) gives five business days to petition for a hearing before the director of public works, who "shall sustain or reverse the decision of the tree warden."
Replacement, where required, is "Replacement of the tree with a tree of equal or greater DBH ... and to be maintained for at least a period of two (2) years from the date of planting by the owner. The owner shall replace any tree that dies during this time period" (section 17-93(f)).
Development plans carry a canopy target: "Public and private development project plans shall require the creation and maintenance of canopy coverage of at least fifty (50) per cent after fifteen (15) years over those areas of the site to be developed that will not include buildings, parking lots or athletic fields" (section 17-94(b)).
The zoning landscaping standards do not touch a house. Zoning section 240-70-100 states that "These regulations relate to any proposed parking areas of twenty-five (25) or more parking spaces or any major modification of any existing parking lots involving fifty (50) or more parking spaces."
New Britain does not license tree contractors. The CT DEEP arborist license under C.G.S. 23-61b applies instead, with a carve-out for work on your own premises.

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.

— What happens when you want to remove an ordinary, undesignated CITY tree. Section 17-90 requires a permit to "alter" a city tree, and "alter" is defined as removing branches or disturbing the soil — it does not mention removal. Section 17-91, titled "Tree removal," addresses only legacy trees. The ordinance has a gap on its face. C.G.S. 23-65(f) supplies the state-law route, but the local text does not.
— Which office actually issues the permission. Section 17-86 makes the Board of Public Works the tree warden; section 21-7 still requires "the permission of the board of park and recreation commissioners" to cut a tree in a public street. Both are in the adopted code. Both are recorded here rather than reconciled. Call Public Works at 860-826-3350 first.
— The tree ordinance's cross-reference to zoning is stale. Section 17-94(a)(3) requires conformance with "sections 240-70-90 through 240-70-90.60 of the City of New Britain Zoning Ordinances," but section 240-70-90 is now the paving standard and the landscaping requirements were renumbered to 240-70-100 et seq. by the amendment of December 18, 2024 (Item 36631-3).
— Whether the legacy tree catalog exists and what is on it. Section 17-88 directs the tree warden to establish the program; no published registry was found.
— Whether the tree inventory required within 180 days of the 2018 ordinance was completed.
— The name and direct number of the person who acts for the Board of Public Works as tree warden day to day.
— New Britain's inland wetlands upland review area distance, and whether its regulations treat tree cutting as a regulated activity. The regulations were not retrieved.
— Whether Connecticut's traprock ridgeline statute (C.G.S. 8-1aa and 8-2) lists New Britain, and whether the city adopted ridgeline regulations.