Council Permit for Tree Removals in The Hills Shire
What The Hills Shire Council requires before you remove or prune a tree on private land, which species are exempt, and the sizes that trigger a permit.
When The Hills Shire Council needs to approve the work
Trees are covered by Council's Tree Preservation Order unless specifically exempted in the Tree Management Guidelines. Consent is required to prune more than 10%, to remove a non-exempt tree, or to alter soil levels within 3m of the trunk.
Pruning without approval
Pruning up to 10% of the tree is exempt. Anything beyond that needs consent.
Trees close to a building
The Tree Management Guidelines include a provision for trees close to an approved dwelling or ancillary structure. Confirm the current distance with Council before removal.
Dead and dangerous trees
Confirm with Council. Evidence of tree condition is normally required.
Worth knowing
The Hills publishes its species exemptions inside the Tree Management Guidelines rather than on the website, so confirm species status with Council before quoting a removal as exempt.
Rules last checked September 2026 against Council's published pages. Official sources: Council tree rules · Tree Management Guidelines · Council enquiries 02 9843 0555
Species you can remove without a permit in The Hills Shire
Priority weeds and trees grown for their fruit are exempt. The full species exemption list sits in Council's Tree Management Guidelines, which is why most species below show as confirm with Council.
Exempt only under a height limit
None in this encyclopedia.
Species that need a permit
Suburbs we cover in The Hills Shire
Licensed arborists working across The Hills Shire every week.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in The Hills Shire?
Trees are covered by Council's Tree Preservation Order unless specifically exempted in the Tree Management Guidelines. Consent is required to prune more than 10%, to remove a non-exempt tree, or to alter soil levels within 3m of the trunk. 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 Hills Shire?
Pruning up to 10% of the tree is exempt. Anything beyond that needs consent.
Can I remove a dead tree in The Hills Shire without a permit?
Confirm with Council. Evidence of tree condition is normally required.
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.