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Council tree rules · checked 30 September 2026
Every council's tree rules, in plain English.
In NSW, each council decides which private trees need approval to prune or remove. We've read the rules, forms and fee schedules of all 32 councils we cover, and turned each one into a step-by-step guide with a "do I need approval?" checker. Start with your council below.
Compared
When you need approval, council by council.
Nearest councils first. Each council's page has the full detail, sources and the checker.
| Council | A permit is needed for | Near the house | Council fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sutherland Shire 42 suburbs | Trunk 100 mm or more across at 500 mm high, any bushland vegetation, or anything within 4 m of a creek | within 3 m of a dwelling or swimming pool council will permit removal, but an application must still be lodged and approved | $213.00Council fee |
| Liverpool 34 suburbs | Over 3.5 m tall, 4 m spread or 400 mm trunk at 1 m (council’s 2024 guidelines give different figures; check first) | No distance exemption stated | $56.60Council fee |
| Georges River 18 suburbs | 3 m or taller, trunk 100 mm or more at ground level, or 3 m branch spread | No distance exemption stated | $195.00Council fee |
| Canterbury-Bankstown 37 suburbs | 5 m or taller (any size on heritage, biodiversity-mapped or foreshore land) | exempt within 3 m of the external wall of an approved dwelling, measured to the centre of the trunk at 1.4 m above ground | $115.00Council fee |
| Wollongong 14 suburbs | 5 m or taller, or trunk 300 mm or more across at ground level | No distance exemption stated | $114.00Council fee |
| Campbelltown 34 suburbs | Over 3 m tall, 500 mm trunk circumference at ground level, or 4 m crown spread | exempt if within 3 m of a Class 1 to 9 building | $188.00Council fee |
| Bayside 26 suburbs | Taller than 3 m, or trunk wider than 300 mm | No distance exemption stated | $125.50Council fee |
| Fairfield 24 suburbs | Over 4 m tall, 3 m spread, or trunk over 75 mm at 1 m (much smaller on riparian land) | trees within 3 m of an approved, existing house | $97Council fee |
| Strathfield 4 suburbs | 4 m or taller, or trunk girth over 500 mm at 1 m | no distance-from-building exemption — council states none applies | $149Council fee |
| Cumberland 20 suburbs | 4 m or taller | any tree under 2 m from the external walls of an approved house is exempt | $92.00Council fee |
| Burwood 5 suburbs | 4 m or taller, trunk 150 mm at 1.4 m, or crown 2 m or more | No distance exemption stated | $133.50Council fee |
| Inner West 20 suburbs | 4 m or taller, trunk over 150 mm at 1.4 m, or canopy 2 m or more | tree centre within 1 m of the wall of a residential dwelling on the same lot is exempt | $148.82Council fee |
| Camden 22 suburbs | 3 m or taller, trunk 100 mm across at 1 m, or 3 m branch span | No distance exemption stated | $154.00Council fee |
| Randwick 14 suburbs | 5 m or taller, 4 m canopy, or 400 mm trunk circumference at 1 m | No distance exemption stated | $212Council fee |
| Canada Bay 16 suburbs | 5 m or taller, trunk over 300 mm at ground level, or canopy over 4 m | only for camphor laurel or liquidambar: exempt if the trunk's outside edge is within 3 m of a single storey dwelling | $108Council fee |
| City of Sydney 28 suburbs | 5 m or taller, canopy over 5 m, or trunk over 300 mm at ground level | No distance exemption stated | $98Council fee |
| Wollondilly 3 suburbs | Over 3 m tall, 450 mm trunk circumference at 1 m, or 3 m branch span | exempt within 3 m of a lawfully constructed dwelling or primary access driveway | $124.00Council fee |
| Parramatta 24 suburbs | 5 m or taller (3 m on heritage and special character land, any size on biodiversity land) | poplar, willow, camphor laurel and liquidambar within 5 m of a legally built building, in-ground pool or sewer pipe are exempt | $151.00Council fee |
| Hunters Hill 5 suburbs | 4 m or taller, or stem 200 mm or more at 1.4 m | exempt clearance pruning of branches under 50 mm to give a maximum 2 m clearance from a roof or external wall | $115.50Council fee |
| Ryde 15 suburbs | 4 m or taller, or trunk 150 mm or more at 1.4 m | exempt if the stem at ground level is within 3 m of the outside wall of a legally constructed dwelling or outbuilding over 20 m² on the same land | $94.00Council fee |
| Woollahra 10 suburbs | Over 5 m tall, or branch spread over 3 m | exempt pruning of branches up to 50 mm to give a maximum 2 m clearance from a roof or external wall | $114Council fee |
| Waverley 9 suburbs | 3 m or taller, or 3 m canopy spread (pruning trees under 5 m is exempt) | No distance exemption stated | $134.02Council fee |
| Lane Cove 8 suburbs | Over 4 m tall, canopy over 5 m, or trunk over 150 mm at 1 m (even dead trees need a fee-free permit) | No distance exemption stated | $160.00Council fee |
| Blacktown 51 suburbs | Over 3 m tall, or trunk over 200 mm at 1 m | No distance exemption stated | $115.00Council fee |
| Penrith 34 suburbs | 3.5 m or taller, or trunk over 100 mm at 1.4 m | exempt within 3 m of an external enclosing wall of a dwelling | $118.00Council fee |
| North Sydney 13 suburbs | 5 m or taller, crown 5 m wide, or trunk circumference 500 mm at ground level | No distance exemption stated | $90.00Council fee |
| Willoughby 12 suburbs | Over 4 m, crown over 3 m, or trunk girth over 600 mm at 1.4 m (local natives at any size) | No distance exemption stated | See Council's 2026–27 Fees and Charges |
| Mosman 1 suburbs | 5 m or taller, or trunk circumference 450 mm at 300 mm high (2 m on heritage land) | No distance exemption stated | $114.00Council fee |
| Ku-ring-gai 17 suburbs | 5 m or taller, or trunk 150 mm across at ground level (no exemptions in Blue Gum High Forest or on heritage land) | exempt if the trunk centre is within 3 m of the external wall of an existing dwelling on the same property | $88.00Council fee |
| Hornsby 30 suburbs | Almost any tree that can grow over 3 m (trees within 3 m of the house are exempt) | exempt if the trunk base is within 3 m of the foundation of an approved building | $224.00Council fee |
| The Hills 23 suburbs | Taller than 6 m, canopy over 3 m, or trunk over 300 mm at the base (trees within 5 m of the house are exempt) | exempt within 5 m of an existing approved dwelling or ancillary structure on the same lot | $170.00Council fee |
| Northern Beaches 54 suburbs | Over 5 m tall (trees within 2 m of an approved building are exempt) | exempt where the base of the trunk is within 2 m of an existing approved building | $201.00Council fee |
Download the data: CSV · JSON (free to reuse with a link). Summaries only. Heritage properties, bushland and mapped biodiversity land usually have stricter rules. Council fees are paid to the council, not to us: the first-listed application fee for 2026/27 where published.
Across NSW
The state rules that sit over every council.
Whatever your council, these apply.
Council permits
The Biodiversity and Conservation SEPP 2021 requires a council permit to clear protected vegetation. Councils have 28 days to decide, or it's deemed refused, and you can appeal to the Land and Environment Court within 3 months.
Read moreThe 10/50 rule
In mapped RFS entitlement areas, trees within 10 m of a home can be removed without council approval, but only if the RFS tool confirms your address on the day, and not on heritage land, steep slopes or near waterways.
Read moreDead or dangerous trees
Exempt only when the council is satisfied the tree is dead and not habitat, or is a risk to life or property. Most councils want an arborist's evidence and photos.
Read moreNeighbours' trees
The Trees (Disputes Between Neighbours) Act lets the Land and Environment Court order work on trees causing damage, and on hedges 2.5 m or taller that severely block sunlight or views.
Read morePenalties
$3,000 on-the-spot fines for individuals ($6,000 for companies), court penalties up to $1 million / $5 million, and replanting orders.
Read morePower lines
Only accredited workers may trim within 3 m of network lines. In Ausgrid areas you're responsible for your own trees near your service line.
Read moreQuestions
Council tree rules: questions.
Who decides whether my tree is protected?
Your council, through its development control plan, under the NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021. That is why the rules change from one council to the next.
Which council am I in?
Your rates notice says. You can also type your suburb into the map on this page; suburbs split between councils say so on their page.
Does the 10/50 rule override council rules?
Yes, where it applies. The NSW RFS 10/50 Code lets owners in a mapped entitlement area remove trees within 10 m of their home without council approval, subject to its conditions and exclusions. Read the guide.
What are the penalties for removing a protected tree?
An on-the-spot fine of $3,000 for an individual or $6,000 for a company, and court penalties up to $1 million / $5 million. Details.
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