Council Permit for Tree Removals in North Sydney
What North 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 North Sydney Council needs to approve the work
Trees on private land are protected unless the work falls inside a listed exemption. Heritage land removes several species exemptions.
Pruning without approval
Branches no more than 100mm in diameter, less than 10% of existing crown volume, and either joining the trunk no more than 2.4m above ground or within 1m of an existing building including eaves and gutters. AS 4373 applies.
Trees close to a building
Pruning within 1m of existing buildings including eaves and gutters is covered by the maintenance pruning exemption.
Dead and dangerous trees
Dead trees are exempt where verified by an arborist holding AQF Certificate 3 or higher. Deadwood pruning from living trees is exempt.
Worth knowing
Hedges under 5m can be maintained freely. Hedges 5m and over must be done by an AQF3 arborist or Cert 3 horticulturist to AS 4373.
Rules last checked September 2026 against Council's published pages. Official sources: Council tree rules · Managing trees on private land · Council enquiries 02 9936 8100
Species you can remove without a permit in North Sydney
Some species exemptions do not apply on heritage listed land. Biosecurity risk species under 10m are also exempt.
Exempt only under a height limit
None in this encyclopedia.
Species that need a permit
Suburbs we cover in North Sydney
Licensed arborists working across North Sydney every week.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in North Sydney?
Trees on private land are protected unless the work falls inside a listed exemption. Heritage land removes several species exemptions. 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 North Sydney?
Branches no more than 100mm in diameter, less than 10% of existing crown volume, and either joining the trunk no more than 2.4m above ground or within 1m of an existing building including eaves and gutters. AS 4373 applies.
Can I remove a dead tree in North Sydney without a permit?
Dead trees are exempt where verified by an arborist holding AQF Certificate 3 or higher. Deadwood pruning from living trees is exempt.
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.