Council Permit for Tree Removals in the Inner West
What Inner West Council requires before you remove or prune a tree on private land, which species are exempt, and the sizes that trigger a permit.
When Inner West Council needs to approve the work
A prescribed tree is 4m or more in height, has a trunk over 150mm at breast height, has a canopy spread of 2m or more, or is a palm or tree fern with a clean stem of 4m or more.
Pruning without approval
Branches under 100mm diameter, up to a maximum of 10% of the canopy annually. Canopy lifting to 2.5m above ground level is also exempt.
Trees close to a building
Removal is exempt for a tree within 1m of the wall of a residential dwelling on the same lot, measured from the centre of the trunk at 1.4m. Not available for heritage items or in heritage conservation areas.
Dead and dangerous trees
Deadwood pruning is exempt provided the deadwood has no hollows and is not fauna habitat.
Worth knowing
The 1m from dwelling removal exemption is unusually generous and worth checking on every Inner West job.
Rules last checked September 2026 against Council's published pages. Official sources: Council tree rules · Tree Management DCP · Council enquiries 02 9392 5000
Species you can remove without a permit in Inner West
Priority weeds listed by NSW DPI are also exempt. Exemptions do not apply in heritage conservation areas or to heritage items.
Exempt only under a height limit
None in this encyclopedia.
Species that need a permit
Suburbs we cover in Inner West
Licensed arborists working across Inner West every week.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in the Inner West?
A prescribed tree is 4m or more in height, has a trunk over 150mm at breast height, has a canopy spread of 2m or more, or is a palm or tree fern with a clean stem of 4m or more. 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 Inner West?
Branches under 100mm diameter, up to a maximum of 10% of the canopy annually. Canopy lifting to 2.5m above ground level is also exempt.
Can I remove a dead tree in the Inner West without a permit?
Deadwood pruning is exempt provided the deadwood has no hollows and is not fauna habitat.
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.