Works Requiring Permission

Young trees supported by wooden stakes line a sunny suburban street with parked cars.

Tree protection controls apply to private trees and palms.  

Before you prune or remove a tree from your residential or business property you may be required to apply for permission if it falls into one of these categories: 

  1. Any tree or palm - whether indigenous, endemic, exotic or introduced species with a height equal to or exceeding five (5) metres or
  2. Any tree with a height equal to or exceeding three (3) metres that has been intentionally planted; and/or is required to be planted and is to be maintained as part of a development condition of consent or tree permit determination notice.
  3. Forms part of a heritage item, or that is within a Heritage Conservation Area (HCA). 
    • Note: You can check if your property is listed as a heritage item or within a Heritage Conservation Area on the NSW ePlanning spatial viewer alternatively for site-specific information such as statement of significance please visit the State Heritage Inventory to search via the state heritage inventory. 
  4. It is mapped as Biodiversity on the Biodiversity Map in the Parramatta Local Environment Plan. 
  5. The tree is within an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC) or Critically Endangered Ecological Community (CEEC).
    • Note: this is regardless of the size or proximity of the tree/s to an approved dwelling.
    • If a tree is identified as part of an ecological community listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 then an “Assessment of Significance” must be prepared by a qualified ecologist and submitted to Council with your application. 
  6.  Forms part of an Aboriginal object or is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance.
  7. Is listed on the NSW Heritage Register. 
  8. You wish to prune more than 10% of a tree / canopy / foliage
  9. It has been conditioned for retention as part of a condition of consent for an approved development.
  10. Trees in properties under development
    • Council cannot approve the removal of a tree based on a future proposed development; it can only be removed based on the Arboricultural merits of the tree.
    • If you wish to remove a tree as part of a future development related to a Complying Development (CDC) for example, then the Tree Application Form is not the correct process to apply for tree removal works. Please contact the Customer Service Centre to make an appointment with the Council’s Duty Planner to discuss. 
  11. Public trees - visit Trees on Public Land or for more details contact the Customer Service Centre to make an appointment with the Council’s Duty Planner to discuss.  
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