Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Tree?
Trees are beautiful, and their presence adds a great deal of value to a property. However, as any homeowner can attest, they can also be very cumbersome. And when you want to remove one, you’ll have to be prepared to tackle numerous hurdles—from finding a reliable, professional tree service to getting the necessary permits.
And though this might come as a surprise, your municipality might require you to get a permit before you can have the tree removed, even if it’s on your own property.
Permits are designed to protect the health and safety of the public, so make sure you know what you’re doing before you make any decisions. To help you navigate this tricky territory, we’ve compiled a list of the most common questions we get about permits and how to get one for your tree removal project.
Do I Really Need a Permit to Remove a Tree from My Property?
If you’re going to be removing a tree from your property, then yes, you probably will need a permit. Most cities and municipalities require homeowners remove trees with trunks bigger than a certain size (usually six inches or more) to obtain permission first. The process isn’t very complicated—in fact, most tree removal companies can help you acquire one. They’ll also make sure all required city forms are filled out correctly before starting work, so they aren’t delayed due to legal complications.
How & Where to Get A PERMIT TO REMOVE A TREE
Depending on where you live, you might have to contact your city’s building or code enforcement office for information about obtaining a permit. They’ll be able to tell you exactly what’s required and let you know who to contact if you’re missing any important paperwork. In most areas, you’ll need to fill out a form asking for permission to remove a tree from your property. To give a better glimpse of what ‘s involved, here are some of the details you will need to include with your application.
1. Address of the property where you want to remove a tree:
This includes both your house number and street name, along with city, state, and zip code information.
2. Reason for removal:
The permit office will need to know why you want to remove a tree—are you doing it for aesthetic reasons or is there some sort of damage present?
3. Type or specimen:
Before you can get a permit, you’ll need to identify what kind of tree you want to remove and provide its scientific name. This step is required by most city and state ordinances so they can be sure you aren’t removing an endangered species.
4. Height and diameter:
You’ll also need to include measurements of both height and trunk diameter to accurately pinpoint which trees you want to remove. This step will also help determine how much debris there will be when your project is completed—it could affect whether or not a city inspector needs to visit your property during the removal process. Before you can get a permit, you’ll need to contact your local municipality’s planning office for all details on what exactly is required.
ARE YOU READY TO GET A PERMIT TO REMOVE A TREE?
After going over the various steps necessary to remove a tree from your property, you may feel as though the entire process is quite complicated. However, trust us when we say that the majority of established tree removal companies can easily obtain the necessary permits. So, what are you waiting for? Call up a local service provider today and ask how they can make things easier for you!
If you have questions about tree service or plant health care or would like an estimate, give us a call at 978-768-6999 or click here to contact us.
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