Council Permit for Tree Removals in the City of Sydney
What City of Sydney Council requires before you remove or prune a tree on private land, which species are exempt, and the sizes that trigger a permit.
When City of Sydney Council needs to approve the work
Trees on private land are protected unless the work is covered by an exemption. Significant Tree Register and heritage listings override every species exemption.
Pruning without approval
No more than 5% of the canopy, to Australian Standards. Branch size limits apply by category: 100mm for road and footpath clearance, 50mm near buildings and service lines.
Trees close to a building
Pruning to a maximum of 1m clearance from a building, branches up to 50mm.
Dead and dangerous trees
A report from an arborist with a minimum AQF Level 3 must identify the imminent risk, before the work or immediately after emergency work.
Worth knowing
5% is the lowest maintenance pruning allowance of any council on this list. Plan City of Sydney pruning jobs around it.
Rules last checked September 2026 against Council's published pages. Official sources: Council tree rules · Apply to prune or remove a tree · Council enquiries 02 9265 9333
Species you can remove without a permit in City of Sydney
Citrus, banana and white cedar are also exempt with no height limit.
Exempt only under a height limit
Species that need a permit
Suburbs we cover in City of Sydney
Licensed arborists working across City of Sydney every week.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in the City of Sydney?
Trees on private land are protected unless the work is covered by an exemption. Significant Tree Register and heritage listings override every species exemption. 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 the City of Sydney?
No more than 5% of the canopy, to Australian Standards. Branch size limits apply by category: 100mm for road and footpath clearance, 50mm near buildings and service lines.
Can I remove a dead tree in the City of Sydney without a permit?
A report from an arborist with a minimum AQF Level 3 must identify the imminent risk, before the work or immediately after emergency work.
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.