Council tree removal guide. Permits lodged for you.
What the council allows, when you need a permit and how we lodge it. AQF Level 5 arborists, $20M public liability, fixed prices and the site left clean.
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The City of Sydney asks you to apply before pruning or removing a tree on residential or business property. There are exemptions for certain species, dead or dangerous trees and light pruning, but they are narrower than most people expect, and the penalties for getting it wrong are among the highest in Sydney.
The application fee is $98 and the City says it assesses applications within 28 days. Heritage-listed trees need a development application instead of a permit. Removals usually come with replacement planting on the property.
Tree of heaven, bamboo, citrus, cotoneaster, rubber tree (Ficus elastica), wild honey locust (not cultivars), Norfolk Island hibiscus, privet, white cedar, mulberry, banana, African olive, false acacia (not cultivars), weeping willow, umbrella tree and cocos palm.
Camphor laurel, Chinese nettle tree, American nettle tree, coral tree and Liquidambar are exempt only if the tree is less than 10 metres tall. A big camphor or liquidambar still needs a permit.
None of the exemptions apply to a tree on the City's register of significant trees or a heritage list. Check the address first — inner-city terraces in conservation areas often have listed trees nearby.
Even exempt work has to be done by an arborist with at least an AQF Level 3 qualification, and pruning has to follow Australian Standard AS 4373–2007.
Pruning is exempt only if it removes no more than 5% of the canopy and stays within the City's clearance and branch-size limits. That is a much lower limit than neighbouring councils.
Up to 1 m clearance from an approved building; 2.5 m clearance over a footpath; 4.5 m over a road with branches up to 100 mm across; branches up to 50 mm around power lines.
An arborist with at least AQF Level 3 must assess the tree and provide a report before or after the work. The arborist decides whether it is a high and imminent risk to life or substantial property and whether action is needed within 48 hours.
The City notes maximum penalties of up to $2 million for companies and $500,000 for individuals for unapproved tree work. Not a risk worth taking to save a $98 fee.
Tell us what you need done and we will call you back to arrange a look. Every job is assessed individually - no two trees are the same.
Urgent or unsafe tree? Call 0422 023 242 - we answer 24 hours.
The City only accepts tree reports prepared by arborists with an AQF Level 5 qualification or equivalent, and says reports must be impartial and only contain opinions that can be substantiated. For large or high-value trees the City may ask for more evidence before it decides — for example internal decay testing where a report relies on decay inside the trunk.
Our reports are written by AQF Level 5 arborists, based on what we can measure and photograph on site, and we tell you up front if the tree's case needs extra testing to stand up. If a report isn't needed, we'll say so.
Species, height, heritage and significant-tree listings, and whether the work fits an exemption.
Lodge the Prune/Remove tree on private land application with the $98 fee, or a development application for a heritage tree.
The City inspects the tree for health, condition, structure and environmental benefit, and says it assesses within 28 days.
We carry out the approved work to AS 4373 and the permit conditions, and plant the replacement tree if you want us to.
In most cases, yes. The City asks you to apply before pruning or removing a tree on residential or business property, unless the tree is an exempt species, is dead, dying or dangerous and has been assessed by an arborist, or the pruning falls within the exempt limits.
The application fee is $98 and the City says it assesses applications within 28 days. Heritage-listed trees need a development application instead.
Only if it is under 10 metres tall and not on a significant or heritage tree list. Taller ones need a permit.
No more than 5% of the canopy, within the City's clearance limits — for example up to 1 m clearance from a building and 2.5 m over a footpath.
An arborist with at least AQF Level 3 must assess it and provide a report before or after the work. The arborist decides whether it is a high and imminent risk and whether action is needed within 48 hours.
The City accepts reports from arborists with an AQF Level 5 qualification or equivalent, and expects them to be impartial and substantiated. Ours are written by AQF Level 5 arborists.
The City notes maximum penalties of up to $2 million for companies and $500,000 for individuals.
Rules summarised from the City of Sydney's Apply for tree removal and exemptions pages. Council rules change; check the current version before starting work. Neighbouring council? See our Inner West and Bayside guides, or arborist reports.
Enter your details below and we will call you back to arrange a look. Urgent or storm-damaged tree? Call 0422 023 242. You can also text photos to that number. Your details are only used to quote and book your job (privacy policy).
