Tree Removal Permit in Philadelphia, PA
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Tree Removal Permit?
Exemptions
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation does not regulate ordinary trees located entirely on private property, in rear yards, vacant lots, alleys, or breezeways as street trees. For site-clearing-only zoning review, the tree-clearing criterion applies to lots larger than 5,000 sq. ft.; lots with a principal single-family, two-family, or urban-agriculture use are excluded from that criterion. Separate earth-disturbance triggers in the Steep Slope Protection Area, Wissahickon Watershed Overlay, or floodplain can still require approvals.
Protected Trees & Removal Eligibility
Protected Tree Rules
Street trees and trees in Parks & Recreation facilities are under Parks & Recreation control, and private parties may not remove or perform regulated work on them without Department approval or a permit. For projects subject to § 14-705(1), Heritage Trees—trees at least 24 in. DBH and of a species on the Parks & Recreation Heritage Tree Species List—may not be removed unless the applicant qualifies for a code-listed removal pathway or obtains special-exception approval. The landscape and tree plan must show the location, DBH, and species of existing trees.
When Removal Is Allowed
Parks & Recreation removes dead and hazardous street trees as needed and states that it does not remove healthy living street trees merely because an owner dislikes them; owner-arranged street-tree removal still requires a Department permit. For a Heritage Tree subject to § 14-705(1), removal without a special exception is allowed only under specified conditions, including qualifying industrial-site location criteria, a certified-arborist finding that the tree is dead, damaged, diseased, or a safety/property danger, a Streets Department hazard/public-service determination, or qualifying PAID ownership. Otherwise, special-exception approval requires replacement, satisfaction of special-exception criteria, and a showing that the proposed development cannot practically be redesigned to protect the tree.
Replacement Requirements
Replacement Rules
For projects subject to § 14-705(1), healthy trees of 2.5 in. DBH or larger removed, damaged, or destroyed because of development or site clearing must generally be replaced on the same lot or an abutting lot. Total replacement-tree caliper inches must be at least the total DBH inches removed, and each replacement tree must be at least 2.5 caliper inches at planting. If replacement occurs on an abutting lot with different ownership, a written agreement between record owners is required. Trees that a certified arborist determines are qualifying dead/damaged/diseased hazards, or invasive species identified by the Planning Commission, are exempt. If the Planning Commission waives required planting, current in-lieu fees are $1,000 per waived tree for specified landscape requirements and, for waived tree-replacement DBH, $400 per inch up to 75 DBH inches per acre, $200 per inch above 75 and below 250, and $50 per inch above 250.
Arborist & Professional Requirements
Professional Requirements
Property owners who arrange street-tree work may hire a certified arborist; contractors must obtain the Parks & Recreation tree-work permit before performing work and must satisfy the Department's indemnification and liability-insurance requirements. For zoning projects subject to landscape and tree review, the Landscape and Tree Preservation Plan must be prepared by a licensed architect, licensed landscape architect, licensed professional civil engineer, or certified arborist. Tree-replacement exemptions and tree-preservation credits that depend on tree condition must be supported by a report from an arborist holding a valid International Society of Arboriculture certification, with photographs and supporting narrative or risk-assessment information as required by Planning Commission regulations.
Public Notice Requirements
Notice Rules
When a zoning application subject to § 14-705(1) proposes removal of healthy trees totaling at least 24 DBH inches, the applicant must mail notice to the district councilmember for the property and to the Director of the Office of Sustainability. L&I may not issue the zoning permit until the applicant submits proof of mailing using a cancelled USPS Certificate of Mailing. An application reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Civic Design Review committee, or both is deemed to satisfy this notice requirement if the Office of Sustainability receives the required written notice through the neighborhood-notice process.
Emergency Tree Removal
For a fallen tree or branch blocking a road or sidewalk, or a tree fallen on a house, car, or other property, Philadelphia directs residents to call 911; Parks & Recreation arborists respond to remove the immediate public-safety hazard, while non-hazardous trunks or stumps may be removed later. Non-emergency street-tree problems should be reported through 311 or Parks & Recreation. A private owner performing work on a street tree to eliminate a dangerous condition must still obtain a Parks & Recreation permit. Trees on private property are generally the property owner's responsibility; for regulated development/site-clearing replacement exemptions based on hazard or condition, the Planning Commission requires certified-arborist documentation.
Development & Special Areas
Development-Related Rules
Current § 14-705(1) applies on-site landscape and tree requirements to site clearing and development on existing lots greater than 5,000 sq. ft., subject to stated exceptions. Zoning applications subject to these provisions must include a Landscape and Tree Preservation Plan, and applicable heritage-tree and replacement requirements require Planning Commission approval before L&I issues the zoning permit. For development/site clearing associated with development or environmental restoration, the code excludes principal urban-agriculture lots, qualifying environmental-restoration areas, and qualifying affordable-housing development. For other site clearing, single-family, two-family, and urban-agriculture lots are excluded from § 14-705(1). New construction or additions must include the landscape/tree documents with the main zoning application rather than using the site-clearing-only application.
Special Zone Rules
Site clearing or earth disturbance can trigger additional approvals in protected areas. A zoning permit is required for earth disturbance in the Steep Slope Protection Area exceeding 1,400 sq. ft. on slopes greater than 15%, and in the Wissahickon Watershed Overlay exceeding 500 sq. ft., except Category 5 sites on the Impervious Coverage Map; Philadelphia City Planning Commission preapproval is required for site clearing in these areas. Floodplain properties may require special documents or a review meeting. Street trees and trees in the public right-of-way remain subject to Parks & Recreation control and permit requirements.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Street trees are under Philadelphia Parks & Recreation management. Major pruning or removal of a street tree requires a Parks & Recreation permit, and owner-arranged work must use a qualified/certified tree professional who obtains the permit. Private-property trees are generally the owner's responsibility, but tree removal can trigger zoning review when it is part of regulated site clearing, development, or work in protected areas. Applicants for regulated site clearing or development must comply with applicable landscape, tree-preservation, heritage-tree, replacement, notice, and special-zone requirements.
Required Documents
For owner-arranged street-tree work, Parks & Recreation regulations require the contractor or person performing street-tree work to obtain a permit, sign an indemnification agreement, carry comprehensive liability insurance in the amount required by the Department, and provide a certificate of insurance. For regulated site clearing, L&I requires a permit application and plans; depending on the site, applicants may also need a deed, earth-moving plan, Landscape and Tree Preservation Plan, certified-mailing receipt for required tree-removal notice, an abutting-owner agreement, flood-protection documents, and required preapprovals.