Do you need council approval to remove a tree?

When it comes to removing a tree on your private property within Australia, it is best to assume that you do need the permission of your local council. The specific tree protection laws and their requirements vary between councils. Despite this variety, most municipalities across the country require residents to apply for a permit before they can carry out significant tree works. There are few exemptions to these rules and tree removal without a permit can result in steep fines and legal action. For this reason, it is vital that you understand the tree removal requirements for the local council relevant to your property before you commence any major tree works. This article will cover the most common reasons to remove a tree that is approved by councils, the consequences for violating tree protection laws, the tree removal application process, the role of an arborist in council applications and the most frequently asked questions about tree removal permits.

Reasons to remove a tree

Acquiring council approval to remove a tree on your property can be a fairly straightforward process, as long as you have a good (and approved) reason. There is no definitive list of approved reasons because they differ between states, cities and local municipalities. However, a good rule of thumb is that local councils will generally approve applications to remove trees that are fallen, dead, dangerous or pose a fire hazard. In addition to these examples, trees that are within 3 metres of your house or pool, trees that are smaller than 3 metres and trees preventing the construction of a boundary fence will generally be approved by the council for removal.

On the flip side, there are a number of common reasons that councils will not accept as sufficient justification for the removing trees. Aesthetic reasons like the obstruction of a view or the dropping of leaves are almost always rejected outright. So too are applications to remove trees that are on protected tree lists. This includes trees that have been deemed ‘significant’ for their age, size, species, location or cultural significance.

Tree Permits

The process to apply for a permit

Step 1 in the process is to check whether you need a permit to carry out your planned tree works on your property. To do this you can visit our guides to local council regulations which provide a handy walkthrough of everything you need to apply for tree works permission from your council. If your location is not covered in our guides, tell us so that we can improve our service and talk you through the process. You can get in touch through our website or on 131546. Alternatively, you can go to the website for your local council to find out all the rules and regulations relevant to the trees at your home or business.

Step 2 is to collect all the information required by your council. The specific details needed for this will differ but can be found on the council website. Most rules will require that you answer questions about the tree size, location, condition, tree species, fire zones and determine whether there are any relevant restrictions like vegetation overlays or the significant tree registry. Most tree removal applications will also need to be accompanied by a Pro Arborist Report to verify the accuracy of the information provide more in-depth analysis of the tree and the proposed tree works.

Note: hiring a qualified arborist can help to streamline the process. Not only can they provide a Pro Arborist Report, but they can also assist in collecting the rest of the required data while also offering a valuable experience of dealing with council applications.

Step 3 is to submit your completed form along with the Pro Arborist Report and the stated processing fee. Waiting times for these applications vary from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. So make sure you do not schedule your tree works until you have received confirmation of council consent.

Step 4 is to book in the tree works for your property once you have received the approval from your city council.

Tree Permit FAQs

How much does a tree removal permit cost?

Each jurisdiction has its own local laws, rules and regulations. Some parts of the state will have high fees for this type of permit as a means of discouraging the removal of trees. Trees within reach of protected zones can incur additional costs. On average it will cost around $100 to $200 for each tree works job that you apply for.

How much does tree removal cost?

Loppers (another name for an arborist) will charge different rates depending on your area as well as the size and state of the tree. Across Australia, the quotes for a removal job will generally fall somewhere between $500 and $1500 for medium-sized trees (not including the cost of planning applications).

Do you need planning permission for tree pruning?

As with cutting down a tree, this will depend on the local rules for your area or state. As with all tree works jobs, you should first check whether you require official approval before you commence. Tree protection law often requires approval for home tree works if the proposed job will remove a significant portion of the tree.

What happens if I cut down a tree without permission?

Cutting down trees at your home or business without permission is against the law. Violating local tree protection rules can result in a heavy fine and potential legal action.

Servicing all of Australia

Find us

Address :
Level 5, Bank House, 11-19 Bank Place,
Melbourne,
Victoria
3000

Phone : 13 15 46

Summer Garden & Tree Care The Reality of Running a Tree Business

Have you used Jim's before?

Yes No

No Franchisee Available

We don't have a Franchisee available, but we have an independent contractor "John Smith" who can give you a quote

fse
Selected Contractor: John Smith
5.0

I give my Consent for my details to be passed on to an independent contractor

ACCEPT DECLINE
131 546 Try Again
fse
Selected Franchisee:
5.0
Gold Contractor
Will Call within 2 hours
  • Police Checked
    A police check is issued as an official document to verify a background check by police or government agency to enumerate any criminal records a service provider may have.
  • $1,000,000 Work Guarantee
    This guarantee is up to one million dollars for work done by Jim's Group Franchisees.

    If you are not satisfied with the job, we will inspect it and have any problems fixed. If we believe the job is good and you do not, we will jointly agree on an independent expert to provide a report at our expense, and fix any problems found. Until this is done, you need not pay for the job. If problems are not fixed within a fortnight, any advance will be refunded.

    Only if no problems are found by the expert, will you be asked to pay the agreed price for the job and half the cost of the report.

    If the job is done to get your bond back on leaving a rental property, the job is only considered good when the agent or landlord is satisfied.

    If payment is made in advance and the job not done, the payment will be refunded.
  • $10,000,000 Public Liability
    A public liability policy covers damage to people or property.

    It is in place to protect business owners if someone sues for personal injury or damage to property.
NEW BOOKING
Book a Service:

All are jobs backed by the Jim's Group Work Guarantee.

Jim's Group offers an unlimited guarantee for all work done by Franchisees, with coverage up to a posted limit for independent contractors. Here's how it works:

  • If you're unsatisfied with the work, we'll inspect and address any issues.
  • If there's disagreement on the quality, we'll agree on an independent expert to assess the job at our expense.
  • You don't pay until the issue is resolved.
  • If problems aren't fixed within two weeks, any advance payment will be refunded.
  • Only if no issues are found by the expert will you be required to pay the full job price and the expert's report cost.