Tree Removal Permits in Charlotte: When You Need One and How to Get It

You have a tree in your yard that needs to come down. Maybe it is dead, maybe it is crowding your house, or maybe you just want more sunlight in your backyard. Before you call a tree service company, there is one question you need to answer first: do you need a permit?

Charlotte's tree ordinance is one of the stricter ones in North Carolina, and the rules are not always obvious. Whether you need one depends on where your property sits, how big the tree is, and whether the tree is dead or alive. Get it wrong, and you could face fines that cost more than the removal itself.

Here is a breakdown of how tree removal permits work in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County so you know exactly where you stand before any chainsaw starts up.

Charlotte's Tree Ordinance: The Basics

The City of Charlotte has a Tree Ordinance (Chapter 21 of the City Code) that regulates the removal of trees on certain properties. The ordinance was designed to preserve Charlotte's tree canopy, which has been shrinking as the city grows. Between new development in areas like Ballantyne and University City and storm damage from severe weather, Charlotte has lost a significant amount of tree cover over the past two decades.

The key thing to understand is that the ordinance mainly targets commercial properties, multi-family developments, and larger residential lots. If you own a typical single-family home on a lot under one acre, you are often in the clear. But "often" is not "always," so keep reading.

When You DO Need a Permit

A tree removal permit is required in these situations within Charlotte city limits:

• Commercial properties: Any tree removal on commercial, industrial, or institutional property requires a permit through the city's land development process. This applies whether you are clearing land for new construction or just removing a single tree from a parking lot island.
• Multi-family residential: Apartments, condominiums, and townhome complexes fall under the same rules as commercial properties. If you manage a multi-family development in South End or NoDa, you need permits before removing trees.
• Single-family lots over one acre: If your residential lot is one acre or larger and falls under the city's jurisdiction, you may need a permit for trees over 8 inches in diameter (measured at 4.5 feet above ground, called "diameter at breast height" or DBH).
• Heritage trees: Charlotte considers certain large, mature trees to be heritage trees. These are typically hardwoods (oaks, maples, hickories) that are 24 inches DBH or larger. Removing a heritage tree almost always requires a permit and often requires planting replacement trees.
• Trees in buffer zones: If your tree sits in a required landscape buffer (common along property lines in newer subdivisions around Weddington, Marvin, and Indian Trail), it may be protected even on a smaller residential lot.
• New development and land clearing: Any land clearing for new construction requires a tree survey and permit as part of the site plan review.

When You Do NOT Need a Permit

Here is where most Charlotte homeowners can relax. You typically do not need a permit in these situations:

• Dead or dying trees: If the tree is dead, diseased beyond saving, or poses an immediate hazard, Charlotte generally allows removal without a permit on residential properties. That said, you should document the tree's condition with photos before removal. If a city inspector questions it later, you will want proof. Learn more about signs of a dead or dying tree.
• Small trees: Trees under 8 inches DBH (roughly 25 inches around the trunk) are usually not regulated on single-family residential lots.
• Single-family lots under one acre: Most homes in Charlotte neighborhoods like Dilworth, Plaza Midwood, Myers Park, and Matthews sit on lots well under an acre. On these properties, the tree ordinance generally does not apply to individual tree removal unless the tree is part of a required buffer.
• Storm-damaged trees: After a major storm, the city typically relaxes permit requirements for damaged trees that pose safety risks. During cleanup after hurricanes or severe thunderstorms, the priority is getting hazardous trees down quickly.
• Trees in your right-of-way: If a tree is in the city's right-of-way (the strip between the sidewalk and the street), you actually need to contact the city before removing it because the city owns it. But that is a different process than a tree removal permit.

Mecklenburg County vs. Charlotte City Limits vs. Unincorporated Areas

This is where things get confusing for a lot of homeowners. Not every address with a Charlotte mailing address is actually inside Charlotte city limits.

Inside Charlotte City Limits

The full tree ordinance applies. If you are in Dilworth, South End, Myers Park, University City, Steele Creek, or any officially annexed neighborhood, Charlotte's rules are your rules.

Unincorporated Mecklenburg County

Some neighborhoods east and west of Charlotte sit in unincorporated Mecklenburg County. These areas fall under county jurisdiction, and the county has its own (generally less strict) tree protection rules. If you are not sure whether you are inside city limits or unincorporated county, check your property tax records or call Mecklenburg County Land Use at 311.

Surrounding Towns

Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville each have their own tree ordinances. Some are similar to Charlotte's, some are more relaxed. If you live in one of these towns, the Charlotte tree ordinance does not apply to you, but your town's ordinance might. For example, Huntersville has its own tree protection standards tied to development, while Matthews applies tree save rules primarily to commercial and subdivision projects.

South Carolina (Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Rock Hill)

If you live across the border in Fort Mill, Tega Cay, or Rock Hill, North Carolina rules do not apply at all. South Carolina is generally more relaxed about tree removal on residential properties, but each municipality may have its own rules worth checking.

How to Apply for a Tree Removal Permit in Charlotte

If you determine that you do need a permit, here is the process:

1. Contact Charlotte's Urban Forestry division. You can reach them through the city's 311 service or online through the Charlotte-Mecklenburg government website. They can confirm whether your specific property and tree require a permit.
2. Submit your application. You will need to provide your property address, a description of the tree (species, size, condition), and the reason for removal. Some applications require a site plan showing the tree's location relative to buildings and property lines.
3. Arborist review. A city arborist may visit your property to assess the tree. This is especially likely for heritage trees or trees in buffer areas.
4. Approval and conditions. If approved, the permit may come with conditions such as replacement planting requirements. For heritage trees, Charlotte often requires you to plant replacement trees equal to a certain percentage of the removed tree's canopy.
5. Get the work done. Once you have the permit, hire a licensed, insured tree removal company to do the work. Keep the permit on file in case questions come up later.

Fees and Timeline

Permit fees vary depending on the type of property and the scope of the removal. For a single heritage tree on a residential lot, the fee is typically modest (under $100). For commercial land clearing, fees are higher and tied to the overall development permit process.

Processing time depends on the season and the city's workload. Simple residential permits can be processed in one to two weeks. More complex requests involving arborist site visits or heritage trees may take three to four weeks. If you are planning a project with a deadline, apply as early as possible.

What Happens If You Skip the Permit

Some homeowners figure they will just cut the tree down and hope nobody notices. That is a risky bet. Charlotte does enforce its tree ordinance, and the penalties can be steep:

• Fines: Removing a protected tree without a permit can result in fines up to $500 per tree per day until you correct the violation. For heritage trees, fines can be significantly higher.
• Replacement requirements: The city can require you to plant replacement trees at your expense. For large heritage trees, the replacement value can run into thousands of dollars worth of new plantings.
• Stop-work orders: If you are in the middle of a construction project and the city discovers unpermitted tree removal, they can issue a stop-work order on your entire project until the violation is resolved.
• Neighbor complaints: Tree removal is one of those things that neighbors notice. If a neighbor reports unpermitted removal, the city will investigate.

The bottom line: if there is any doubt about whether you need a permit, call the city first. A phone call takes ten minutes. A fine and replacement planting order takes months and thousands of dollars to resolve.

HOA Rules: A Separate Layer of Regulation

Even if the city does not require a permit, your homeowners association might have its own rules. Many Charlotte-area HOAs require approval before removing any tree, regardless of size or condition. This is especially common in planned communities in Ballantyne, Weddington, Fort Mill, and other suburban areas.

HOA tree rules typically require:

• A written request submitted to the architectural review committee
• A description of why the tree needs to come down
• Sometimes an arborist's letter confirming the tree is dead or hazardous
• A plan for replacement planting

HOA violations can result in fines, and in some cases, the HOA can place a lien on your property. Check your covenants before you schedule any tree work. A good tree service company that works in the Charlotte area will know to ask about HOA requirements before starting a job.

Your Tree Service Company Should Know the Rules

Here is the reality: most homeowners do not want to become experts on Charlotte's tree ordinance. That is why it matters who you hire. A reputable tree service company in Charlotte should know the local rules and be able to tell you upfront whether you need a permit. Some companies will even handle the application process for you as part of the job.

Be cautious of any company that says "you don't need a permit" without asking basic questions about your property size, location, and the tree species. And be very cautious of anyone who says "just take it down, nobody will know." That attitude can land you with fines and headaches that far outweigh the cost of doing things the right way.

A Quick Checklist Before You Remove a Tree in Charlotte

1. Check your lot size. Under one acre? You are probably fine for most trees, but verify the tree is not in a buffer zone.
2. Measure the tree. Wrap a tape measure around the trunk at 4.5 feet above ground. Divide the circumference by 3.14 to get the diameter. If it is 24 inches or more, it may be a heritage tree.
3. Determine your jurisdiction. Are you inside Charlotte city limits, unincorporated county, or a surrounding town? The rules are different for each.
4. Check with your HOA. If you are in an HOA community, get written approval before any removal.
5. Call the city if in doubt. Charlotte's 311 line can point you in the right direction.
6. Hire a licensed, insured company. They should carry liability insurance and workers' comp. Ask for proof before work begins.

Tree removal permits in Charlotte are not as complicated as they seem once you understand the basics. Most single-family homeowners on typical lots will not need a permit for routine removals. But if your tree is large, your lot is big, or your property is commercial, take the time to check. A little homework upfront saves a lot of trouble later.