Council Permit for Tree Removals in Canterbury-Bankstown
What Canterbury-Bankstown Council requires before you remove or prune a tree on private land, which species are exempt, and the sizes that trigger a permit.
When Canterbury-Bankstown Council needs to approve the work
The Tree Management Order controls private trees 5m and over in height. Trees under 5m are exempt.
Pruning without approval
Approved work must be carried out by an AQF3 arborist to Australian Standards.
Trees close to a building
Trees within 3m of the wall of the primary dwelling, measured 1.4m above ground. Garages, sheds and other secondary structures do not count.
Dead and dangerous trees
Dangerous trees are exempt where removal is the only reasonable option to avoid an imminent threat to human life or property.
Worth knowing
Council will not approve removal for leaf drop, wildlife presence, shading, fruit or sap, or minor root damage to structures. Frame the application around something else.
Rules last checked September 2026 against Council's published pages. Official sources: Council tree rules · Tree Management Order · Council enquiries 02 9707 9000
Species you can remove without a permit in Canterbury-Bankstown
The Tree Management Order carries around 43 exempt species. Fruit trees, wattles, bamboo, willows, poplars, privets and rubber trees are named. The Canary Island Date Palm limit is measured on trunk height. Check the Order for anything not shown here.
Exempt only under a height limit
Species that need a permit
Suburbs we cover in Canterbury-Bankstown
Licensed arborists working across Canterbury-Bankstown every week.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in Canterbury-Bankstown?
The Tree Management Order controls private trees 5m and over in height. Trees under 5m are exempt. If your tree is on Council's exempt species list, or the work falls inside one of the exemptions below, you can proceed without a permit. Otherwise you need to apply.
How much can I prune without approval in Canterbury-Bankstown?
Approved work must be carried out by an AQF3 arborist to Australian Standards.
Can I remove a dead tree in Canterbury-Bankstown without a permit?
Dangerous trees are exempt where removal is the only reasonable option to avoid an imminent threat to human life or property.
Important note on council rules
This encyclopedia is a practical guide for Sydney property owners, not legal advice. Council tree rules change, and exemptions are frequently overridden by heritage listings, heritage conservation areas, significant tree registers, biodiversity mapping, endangered ecological communities and conditions attached to development consent. Always confirm the current rules with your council for your specific address before any tree work begins, or ask us to check it for you.
Need council approval? We handle the application.
Most councils will not accept a removal application without species identification, photographs and a stated reason. We prepare and lodge the lot, then carry out the work once it is approved. One call, one invoice, no forms to work out yourself.