Tree Permitting

Tree Permitting

All work on trees in the public right of way requires a free permit from the City Arborist. Public rights of way are lands reserved for travel (motorists, cyclists, pedestrians) such as streets, sidewalks, alleys, pathways, and trails. A portion of front yards are often within the public right of way. Many trees on private property and not in a public right of way also require permits. All arborists operating in the City should carry liability insurance with a minimum of $500,000 coverage. The City Arborist maintains a list of contractors with proper insurance.

These permits are required by the City Tree Ordinance (Chapter 273) to help ensure the safety and welfare of people and property, while also protecting healthy large trees that contribute to the City’s urban tree canopy.

All work on trees in the public Right-of-Way (ROW) requires a permit from the City. These permits are required by the City Tree Ordinance (Chapter 273) to help ensure the safety and welfare of people and property, while also protecting healthy large trees that contribute to the City’s urban tree canopy. Public rights of way are lands reserved for travel (motorists, cyclists, pedestrians) such as streets, sidewalks, alleys, pathways, and trails. A portion of front yards are often within the public right of way. If you are uncertain whether your tree is within the ROW, if it meets the following requirements, or any outstanding questions, please reach out to Mike Meyer, Urban Forester at [email protected].​

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Download the Tree Work Permit Application in the documents section below.

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Tree Permitting for Contractors: ​

All tree workers operating in the City of Lancaster are required to carry liability insurance with a minimum of $500,000 coverage. The City maintains a list of contractors with proper insurance. Contractors should reach out to the Urban Forester or City Arborist well before any permitted work is to be done.​

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Tree Permitting for Residents:

Public Trees that require permits to work on, remove, replace, or plant:​

1. Street Trees within the Right-of-Way
2. Any tree which grows into/over the Right-of-Way

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Trees on Private Property that require permits to work on, remove, replace, or plant:​

1. Any tree growing into the Right-of-Way
2. Any tree with a ‘Diameter at Breast Height’ (DBH) of 12 inches or greater within 20 feet of a Right-of-Way
3. Any tree with a ‘Diameter at Breast Height’ (DBH) of 24 inches or greater​

Measuring a Tree ​

Learn how to measure a tree using this video​.​

Important Definitions:​

For more information, see the City Tree Manual in the documents section below.

1. DBH, DIAMETER AT BREAST HEIGHT — The measure of the diameter, in inches, of a tree trunk at a point 4.5 feet above ground.​
2. PROTECTED TREE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY — Any tree with a DBH of 12 inches or more located on any lot within 20 feet of a street right-of-way (including an approved private street or other access easement) and any tree with a DBH of 24 inches or more located elsewhere on the lot. ​
3. RIGHT-OF-WAY —The area of any land used, reserved or dedicated as a street, alley, driveway, sidewalk or utility easement. ​
4. SHADE TREE — Any tree, shrub or other woody plant (or part of any tree, shrub or other woody plant) which extends within the lines of any public street, highway or avenue, or public park, trail, greenway or open space in the City​
5. STREET TREE — Any shade tree planted in the right-of-way, including but not limited to between a street curb or cartway and a sidewalk.