YardCareDirectory

Virginia Tree Removal Permit Requirements

LOCAL RULES VARY

No statewide permit requirement for private property, but Northern Virginia jurisdictions (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria) have some of the strictest tree regulations in the mid-Atlantic.

Issuing authority: County or city urban forestry / planning
Permit Fee
$50–$300 in regulated jurisdictions
Processing Time
10–21 business days
Protected Species
4
City Rules Listed
4
Protected Species in VA
Flowering Dogwood (state tree)American HollyWhite OakAmerican Beech
These species commonly trigger permit requirements or stricter review in Virginia jurisdictions. Check with your specific city — protections vary by municipality.
Common Exemptions
  • +Dead and diseased trees
  • +Imminent hazard
  • +Trees under 6 inches DBH

Exemptions still often require documentation. Bring photos, contractor assessments, or an ISA-certified arborist report to support a hazard or disease claim.

Heritage Trees

Arlington, Fairfax County, and Alexandria all have heritage tree programs. Richmond and Charlottesville have notable tree lists.

Penalties for Unpermitted Removal

Fines of $500–$5,000 per tree in Northern Virginia jurisdictions. Replacement mitigation of 2:1 to 4:1 commonly required.

Rules by City in Virginia

Arlington

Significant trees (over 12 inches DBH) require permits. Heritage trees require County Board review.

Fee: $100–$400Arlington's Urban Forest Master Plan is actively enforced.
Alexandria

Protected trees (over 8 inches DBH for most native species) require permits.

Fee: $75 per treeHistoric district rules add review for visible trees.
Fairfax County

Development-associated tree removal requires Tree Conservation Plan. Private property trees over 10 inches DBH in regulated zones require permits.

Fee: $50–$250Fairfax County has a comprehensive Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Richmond

Street trees are city property. Private trees over 12 inches DBH in urban development areas require permits.

Fee: $60 per treeJames River floodplain adds additional restrictions.
Tips for Virginia Homeowners
  1. Northern Virginia's regulations are driven by Chesapeake Bay watershed requirements — they are unusually strict compared to the rest of the state.
  2. Arlington enforces aggressively and responds to citizen complaints with site visits.
  3. Southern and western Virginia are much less regulated — private property removal is generally unrestricted.
HOA Consideration: Northern Virginia's dense HOA landscape means HOA landscaping committees frequently require separate approval even after county permits are obtained.
Find tree services in Virginia that handle permits
Licensed professionals know local rules and will pull permits for you.
Tree Services in Virginia