Tree Removal Ordinance

In most counties and cities around metro Atlanta you must obtain a permit to remove trees prior to beginning any project. This includes live, dying or dead trees. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to do this. ArborForce Tree Services can answer questions you may have about the application, but does not handle this part of the project. Below is a list summarizing local regulations and contacts. This is provided as a convenience and is not warranted as accurate. Please verify with local authority.

Alpharetta Tree Ordinances (city limits)

Permit Required:

A tree removal permit is required for most types of tree removals within the City of Alpharetta.

Online Resource: https://www.alpharetta.ga.us/government/departments/community-development/tree-removal

Berkeley Lake

Permit Required:

Yes, with exceptions

Online Resource: https://berkeleylake.com/TreeRemoval.aspx

Chamblee (city limits)

Permit Required:

Yes

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/yuzhhdjd

Cobb County

Permit Required:

In most cases, you do not need a permit to remove a few trees in your yard. County review and approval is required if the trees are located in a stream buffer or a buffer required by the Zoning Code. Also, if the tree removal is extensive, a timber harvest permit may be required. Contact the Site Plan Review Section at (770) 528-2147 if you are unsure of your situation.

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/5n7skp7e

Decatur (Historic districts only)

Permit Required:

A tree removal permit is required for property owners in the city limits of Decatur to remove an untreatably diseased or infested tree/s or to remove a tree/s with moderate or higher risk rating as determined by a certified arborist and that has a target (person or property) present that would be injured or damaged by the tree/s failure.

Online Resource: https://www.decaturga.com/dec/page/tree-information

Dekalb City (Tucker, Brookhaven, etc.)

Permit Required:

Yes, conditionally and in nonemergency cases

Online Resource: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/tree-conservation-protection-guides-checklists

Doraville (city limits)

Permit Required:

For removal of any tree with a trunk diameter of three (3) inches or more measured at breast height, which normally attains a mature height of fifteen (15) feet or more; and/or

For pruning the limbs (branches) of trees that have a trunk diameter of eight (8) inches or more measured at breast height. Click here to read Sec. 5-271 discussing proper pruning methods.

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/4suxvbeh

Duluth (city limits)

Permit Required:

Nothing is required for single-family residences; however, allsites within the City other than single-family residential lots shall maintain a minimum tree density of twenty (20) units per acre.

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/478hcp6w

Dunwoody (city limits)

Permit Required:

For any hardwood with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ten inches or greater, softwoods with a DBH of 20 inches or greater, and understory with a DBH of six inches or greater on non-residential, mixed-use, and multi-family zoned lots; and any tree located within the city’s 75-foot stream buffer

Online Resource: https://www.dunwoodyga.gov/government/departments/community-development/permits-inspections/tree-regulations

Fulton County (unicorp)

Permit Required:

Yes, conditionally

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/2wn5ybxr

Gwinnett County

Permit Required:

A homeowner can remove live trees from their occupied property provided they are not location in a required Zoning Buffer, Stream Buffer, Conservation or Open Space, Chattahoochee River Corridor, Tree Save Area, or are a Street Tree.

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/26424v6z

Johns Creek

Permit Required:

Trees may be removed from properties without City permission as long as they are not specimen trees and are not located in the City’s four Tree Protected Areas (The River Corridor, a Stream Buffer, a Zoning Buffer, a required landscape strip or landscape parking island)

Online Resource: https://www.johnscreekga.gov/services-resources/forms/tree-removal-permission

Marietta

Permit Required:

None for homeowners.

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/4kxnu7xv

Smyrna

Permit Required:

Yes,  conditionally (for trees 24″ in diameter or larger on properties without development activity, as well as changes to specimen tree specifications and recompense)

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/2p95mhex

Milton

Permit Required:

Approval from the City Arborist is required to remove any Protected Tree. A Protected Tree is any tree 15” DBH (diameter at breast height) or greater.

Online Resource: https://www.miltonga.gov/government/community-development/tree-conservation

Norcross (city limits)

Permit Required:

No person, corporation, association or other entity shall remove or destroy any tree either on public or private property with a DBH of six inches or greater without having first obtained a tree removal permit from the Community Development Department

Online Resource: https://www.norcrossga.net/149/Applications-Permit-Forms

Roswell (city limits)

Permit Required:

A tree removal application is required for the removal of any tree larger than 3 inches in diameter

Online Resource: https://tinyurl.com/2p85ry5e

Sandy Springs

Permit Required:

A Tree Removal Permit is required when a tree meets one of the following categories and is being removed independent of any construction activity:

 

Any tree 18″ Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or larger

Any Dogwood or Redbud 10″ DBH or larger

Any tree located within the Chattahoochee River Corridor (2,000’ from the banks of the Chattahoochee River)

Any tree located a within a Stream Buffer (the 75′ protection corridor along designated streams and bodies of water)

If a mix of healthy and dead or hazardous trees will be removed, a Tree Removal Permit is still required.

Online Resource: https://www.sandyspringsga.gov/tree-removal-permits

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