Do I Need Council Approval to Remove a Tree in Sydney?

Most Sydney councils protect trees through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) or equivalent local environmental plans. Removing a protected tree in Sydney without council approval can result in fines from $3,000 to $13,500 per tree under NSW EPA regulations, and councils can also require remediation planting at the owner's expense. The rules vary by council — what's exempt in one Sydney council area may need approval in another. This guide covers when council approval is needed to remove a tree in Sydney, when exemptions apply, and how the application process works.

How tree protection works in Sydney

Tree protection in NSW operates at three levels:

• State level — the Biodiversity Conservation Act and related legislation cover threatened species and significant vegetation
• Local council level — each council has its own TPO or equivalent under their Local Environmental Plan (LEP) and Development Control Plan (DCP)
• Heritage and conservation areas — additional controls in heritage zones

Most residential tree removal questions are governed by the local council TPO. The state-level controls usually apply to larger sites, rural land, or trees of declared species.

When you typically need council approval

Most Sydney councils require approval to remove or significantly prune a tree if it meets one or more of these thresholds:

• Trunk diameter over a specified size (commonly 150mm at 1m above ground, but varies)
• Tree height over a specified threshold (commonly 5–8m)
• Specific protected species regardless of size (often natives, often in heritage areas)
• Trees in heritage conservation areas regardless of size
• Trees of cultural or environmental significance

The threshold varies significantly by council. Check your specific council before any tree work.

When exemptions typically apply

Most councils have exemptions for:

• Dead trees — usually with photographic evidence required
• Declared noxious weed species — Camphor Laurel, certain Privet varieties, Rhus tree, others
• Trees within a specified distance from a dwelling — typically 3m, but varies by council
• Trees of certain species below specified thresholds
• Trees that pose immediate danger — emergency removal allowed with later notification

The exemptions also vary significantly. A Camphor Laurel that's automatically exempt in The Hills Shire may need approval to remove in Mosman.

Sydney council variations

A few examples of how Sydney councils differ:

Ku-ring-gai Council (Lindfield, Killara, Wahroonga, Pymble)

Strict tree protection. Approval needed for most trees over 3m or 150mm trunk diameter. Significant fines for unauthorised removal. Local exempt species list is short.

Mosman Council

Strict heritage and tree protection. Approval generally needed for trees over 3m or with trunk diameter over 100mm. Heritage areas have additional controls.

Northern Beaches Council

Tree protection covers most native species over specified sizes. Bushfire considerations sometimes allow easier removal of trees within specified distances from dwellings.

Hills Shire Council

Larger exempt-species list, particularly for Camphor Laurel and Privet. Newer subdivisions sometimes have specific tree retention requirements from the original development consent.

City of Sydney

Strict heritage and tree controls in most inner suburbs. Significant penalties for unauthorised removal.

Parramatta City Council

Mixed approach by suburb. Heritage areas (parts of Parramatta, Granville, Harris Park) have stricter controls than newer suburbs.

Inner West Council

Heritage areas (Balmain, Petersham, Annandale) have strict controls. Tree-lined streets have additional protections.

Ryde Council

Standard TPO with thresholds around 5m height or 200mm trunk diameter for most species.

Sutherland Shire

Bushfire considerations apply across much of the Shire. Tree retention important in coastal escarpment areas.

Always check your specific council's website. Most have an interactive tree assessment tool or a specific tree removal application page.

How to find your council's tree removal rules

Three sources to check:

1. Local council website — search "[council name] tree removal" or "[council name] tree preservation order"
2. NSW Planning Portal — covers state-level controls and links to local rules
3. Direct call to council — most councils have a tree officer who'll answer questions for free

A 15-minute call to council before commissioning tree work usually clarifies the approval pathway and avoids costly mistakes.

What information you'll need to assess

Before contacting council or a contractor, gather:

• Tree species — if known, otherwise photographs of leaves, bark, and overall form
• Tree height — a rough estimate is fine
• Trunk diameter at 1m above ground — measured with a tape
• Location on the property — front, side, rear; distance from house, fences, driveways
• Reason for removal — health, danger, structural damage, light blockage, future construction

This information helps council and arborists assess the tree quickly.

The application process

If approval is required, the typical Sydney council tree removal application:

1. Submit application

Most councils have an online form. Provide:

• Photos of the tree from multiple angles
• Tree measurements (height, trunk diameter)
• Location details (address, position on property)
• Reason for removal
• Often: arborist report supporting the application

2. Application fee

Varies by council, typically $150–$600.

3. Site inspection

A council tree officer inspects the tree, usually within 2–4 weeks. They assess:

• Tree health and condition
• Significance of the tree
• Reasonableness of the removal request
• Possible alternatives (pruning, partial removal)

4. Decision

The council issues a decision, usually within 4–8 weeks of application:

• Approval — sometimes with conditions (replacement planting, work timing, supervision)
• Conditional approval — pruning approved instead of removal
• Refusal — if the tree is significant or healthy

5. Conditions of approval

Common conditions:

• Replacement planting required (often 2–4 trees per removed tree)
• Specified replacement species
• Removal must occur within a defined period (often 12 months)
• Site supervision by an arborist

6. Carry out the work

Once approved, the actual removal can proceed. Most council approvals are valid for 12–24 months.

Arborist reports

Many tree removal applications benefit from (or require) an arborist report. The report covers:

• Tree assessment — species, health, structural condition
• Reason for removal — whether the request is reasonable
• Risk assessment — likelihood and consequence of failure
• Alternative options — whether pruning, cabling, or other interventions could address the issue
• Recommended outcome — supports or recommends against removal

A qualified arborist (Cert V in Arboriculture or higher) prepares the report. Cost typically $400–$1,500 depending on complexity.

A well-prepared arborist report significantly improves the chance of approval, particularly for trees that might otherwise be refused.

What happens if you remove a protected tree without approval

Penalties for unauthorised tree removal in NSW:

• $3,000 on-the-spot fine under EPA regulations (most common)
• Up to $13,500 per tree for serious cases
• Up to $1.1 million for severe environmental offences
• Remediation orders — replacement planting at owner's expense
• Court action in serious cases

The fines apply regardless of intent. "I didn't know" doesn't reduce the penalty. Some councils actively monitor tree removal in protected areas, including via aerial photography comparisons.

Trees on neighbouring properties

If a neighbour's tree is causing problems on your property:

• Branches over your boundary can be pruned back to the boundary line at your cost (subject to TPO controls — pruning protected trees may need approval)
• Roots damaging your property — you can remove roots on your side (subject to TPO controls and not killing the tree)
• Tree falling risk — formal complaint to council, who can require neighbour to address it
• Neighbour can't be forced to remove a tree unless it's clearly dangerous and council requires action

Most neighbour tree disputes are resolved through conversation rather than formal action. The local council mediation service can help where conversations break down.

Trees on council land

Trees on council nature strips, parks, or road reserves are council property:

• Removal by the resident is illegal
• Pruning by the resident is illegal
• Trimming for power line clearance — coordinate through Endeavour Energy or Ausgrid
• Damage from council trees — make a claim through council

Concerns about council trees should be reported to the council tree officer, not addressed privately.

Bushfire considerations

In bushfire-prone areas (much of the Northern Beaches, North Shore, Sutherland Shire, parts of the Hills District), the 10/50 vegetation clearing rule allows certain vegetation removal without approval:

• Trees within 10m of a dwelling can be removed
• Vegetation other than trees within 50m of a dwelling can be removed
• Specific species and conditions apply

The 10/50 rule is restricted to declared bushfire-prone areas. Check the NSW Rural Fire Service map before relying on it.

How to plan tree work efficiently

If you're planning multiple trees as part of a landscape project:

1. Get an arborist report covering all trees on the property
2. Identify which trees need approval for removal vs which are exempt
3. Submit a single application covering all the trees that need approval
4. Plan the timing — approvals can take 8–12 weeks
5. Coordinate with the landscape build — tree work first, landscape rebuild after
6. Replant as part of the landscape design (often a council condition anyway)

Doing this in stages, separately, is significantly more expensive than handling it as one coordinated project.

Where to start

If you're planning tree removal in Sydney and aren't sure about approval requirements, the most useful first step is a free site visit. Nazscapes will assess the tree, talk through the council's likely position, recommend whether an arborist report is worth getting, and help coordinate the application if approval is needed. Tree work happens as part of the broader landscape project, not as a standalone job.