Council Permit for Tree Removals in Randwick
What Randwick Council requires before you remove or prune a tree on private land, which species are exempt, and the sizes that trigger a permit.
When Randwick Council needs to approve the work
Any palm, cycad or tree fern regardless of size, plus any tree 6m or more in height, with a canopy 4m or more wide, or a trunk circumference over 1m measured 1m above ground.
Pruning without approval
Deadwooding, formative pruning of young trees and powerline clearance to AS 4373-2007.
Trees close to a building
Removal within a building footprint and up to 2m from external walls, where covered by development consent.
Dead and dangerous trees
Dead trees are exempt unless they are habitat for protected fauna.
Worth knowing
Palms, cycads and tree ferns are protected at any size in Randwick. Only the Cocos Palm escapes on the exempt species list.
Rules last checked September 2026 against Council's published pages. Official sources: Council tree rules · Tree Management Technical Manual · Council enquiries 1300 722 542
Species you can remove without a permit in Randwick
Ochna is also exempt. Heritage conservation areas and Significant Tree Register listings need development consent rather than a permit.
Exempt only under a height limit
None in this encyclopedia.
Species that need a permit
Suburbs we cover in Randwick
Licensed arborists working across Randwick every week.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in Randwick?
Any palm, cycad or tree fern regardless of size, plus any tree 6m or more in height, with a canopy 4m or more wide, or a trunk circumference over 1m measured 1m above ground. 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 Randwick?
Deadwooding, formative pruning of young trees and powerline clearance to AS 4373-2007.
Can I remove a dead tree in Randwick without a permit?
Dead trees are exempt unless they are habitat for protected fauna.
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.