Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Washington, DC?

District of Columbia · Last checked November 2026

Key facts

Special Tree

44 to 99.9 inches in circumference; permit required.

Heritage Tree

100 inches or more; healthy ones may not be removed.

Cost

No permit fee; $55 per inch of circumference to the Tree Fund for non-hazardous trees.

How it works

Many cities require a permit to remove trees on private property once the trunk passes a set size, or for protected native species. The permit is often free or cheap, but replacement trees or per-inch fees can cost far more than the removal.

1. Measure the trunk at 4.5 feet above the ground. Some cities use diameter, others circumference.
2. Check whether the species or size is protected, and whether the tree is near the street.
3. Apply before any cutting. Dead or hazardous trees often still need sign-off.
4. Plan for replacement planting or in-lieu fees.

What it costs

Removal itself commonly runs several hundred to a few thousand dollars. City fees range from free to hundreds of dollars, and per-inch recompense or tree fund payments can add much more.

Compare other cities

• Henlopen Acres Permit needed above a size
• Atlanta Permit needed above a size
• Portland Permit needed above a size
• San Jose Permit needed above a size
• San Francisco Permit needed above a size
• San Bruno Permit needed above a size