Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Bucks County, PA?

How Tree Removal Permits Work in Bucks County, PA

Pennsylvania is a home rule state. That means land use decisions — including whether you need a permit to cut down a tree in your yard — are made at the municipal level, not by the state. Bucks County has 54 municipalities: 23 townships, 28 boroughs, and 3 cities. Each one can set its own tree ordinance, and many have.

Most Bucks County tree ordinances divide trees into two separate categories with two very different sets of rules:

• Shade trees / street trees: Trees located in the public right-of-way — typically the strip of land between the curb and the sidewalk, or between the sidewalk and the street. These are almost universally regulated. Even municipalities that don't require permits for private property removal will often require a permit before a shade tree can be touched.
• Private property trees: Trees rooted on your lot, behind the sidewalk or curb line. These are regulated in some municipalities and unregulated in others. This is the category most homeowners are asking about.

There's a second major distinction that trips people up: the rules for residential maintenance removal are almost always different from the rules that apply to land development or large-scale clearing. If you're taking down one or two trees in your backyard, you're in a completely different regulatory category than a developer clearing a wooded lot for a subdivision. This guide focuses on residential private property removal.

One more thing to know upfront: most guides on this topic give generic advice without naming a single Bucks County township. We went further. We researched actual municipal ordinances, permit applications, and official ordinance documents for the townships and boroughs where tree removal questions come up most often. Where we couldn't confirm specifics, we say so clearly — and tell you exactly who to call.

Does Doylestown Borough Require a Permit to Remove a Tree?

Yes. Doylestown Borough requires a permit before removing any tree with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or more, measured at breast height (DBH — 4.5 feet from the ground). This applies to trees on private property, not just public shade trees.

What Size Trees Require a Permit in Doylestown Borough?

The threshold is 6 inches DBH (diameter at breast height, measured 4.5 feet from ground). Trees below this threshold can be removed without a permit. Trees at or above this threshold require a permit before any removal work begins.

How Much Does a Doylestown Borough Tree Permit Cost?

The permit fee is $15. Applications are submitted to Doylestown Borough at 10 Doyle Street, Doylestown, PA 18901. The Shade Tree Commission reviews applications and has authority to approve or deny.

What Trees Are Exempt from the Doylestown Borough Permit Requirement?

The following are specifically exempt from the permit requirement in Doylestown Borough: trees of the species sumac, box elder, sassafras, and ailanthus (tree of heaven); trees that have already fallen; and emergency removals where the tree poses an immediate threat to life or property. If your ash tree was killed by the Emerald Ash Borer and is now structurally failing, that likely qualifies as an emergency removal — but confirm with the Borough before proceeding.

Does Upper Makefield Township Require a Permit to Remove a Tree?

Yes. Upper Makefield Township requires a permit for removal of any tree measuring 6 inches or more in diameter. Upper Makefield has one of the more thorough permit processes among Bucks County municipalities — the application requires multiple documents, not just a simple form.

What Documents Are Required for an Upper Makefield Township Tree Permit?

To obtain a tree removal permit in Upper Makefield Township, you must submit:

• Zoning/Occupancy Permit Application
• Plot Plan showing the location of the tree(s) to be removed
• Reforestation Plan — a plan showing what replacement trees will be planted
• Property Owner's Letter authorizing the work
• Certificate of Insurance from your tree service contractor, naming the Township of Upper Makefield as a certificate holder

Contact Upper Makefield Township directly at 215-968-3340 or visit the Township offices for current fee information and to start the application process.

Upper Makefield Township's UMTree Grant Program

Upper Makefield offers a grant program — the UMTree Grant — that provides up to $975 toward the purchase and planting of replacement trees on qualifying properties. If you're removing a large tree and need to replant, ask the Township about this program when you call to start your permit application.

Does Newtown Borough Require a Permit to Remove a Tree?

Yes. In Newtown Borough, a permit is required before any shade tree is pruned, removed, fertilized, sprayed, or otherwise disturbed. The Shade Tree Commission is the governing body for all shade tree decisions in the Borough.

How to Apply for a Tree Removal Permit in Newtown Borough

Applications are submitted at the Newtown Borough offices on a prescribed form. The Shade Tree Commission reviews permit requests at a meeting held within two weeks of receiving the application. If the Commission approves, the Code Enforcement Officer issues the permit. All permitted work must be completed within 90 days of permit issuance unless the Commission grants an extension.

The permit application is available on the Borough's official website at boroughofnewtown.com under Permits & Forms. If a permit is denied, property owners have the right to appeal to Borough Council within 30 days.

Bucks County Municipalities That Do NOT Require a Tree Removal Permit

The following municipalities have either no permit requirement for standard residential tree removal on private property, or confirmed exemptions that cover most homeowner situations. This is based on available municipal ordinance text — always confirm directly with your township, as ordinances can change and your specific zoning district or property type may have additional rules that apply.

Municipalities With Tree Permit Requirements for Public Trees Only

Several Bucks County municipalities regulate the removal of public shade trees — those in the curb strip, along streets, or in public right-of-way — but have no confirmed permit requirement for trees on private property. If you're removing a tree from your lawn, you're likely in the clear. If the tree is in the curb strip between sidewalk and street, a permit or formal request is required before work begins.

Bucks County Townships Where You Should Verify Directly Before Removing a Tree

For the following municipalities, we were unable to confirm specific private property tree removal permit requirements from publicly available ordinance documents. This doesn't necessarily mean a permit is required — it means the information wasn't clearly accessible online when this guide was written. Call the municipal office directly before scheduling removal. Most offices can answer this question in under two minutes.

How Much Does a Tree Removal Permit Cost in Bucks County, PA?

Permit fees in Bucks County range from free (in municipalities with no permit requirement) to a set flat fee in boroughs with formal Shade Tree Commission processes. Here's what we confirmed:

For municipalities where we show "contact township," calling is faster than searching online — most Bucks County municipal offices can quote a permit fee in under 60 seconds.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Tree Removal Permit in Bucks County?

Permit timelines vary by municipality and by whether a Shade Tree Commission or planning body needs to review the application. Here's what we confirmed:

• Doylestown Borough: The Shade Tree Commission reviews applications; exact timeline depends on when the Commission meets. Plan for at least one to two weeks.
• Newtown Borough: The Shade Tree Commission is required to review applications within two weeks of receipt. Once approved, a permit is issued by the Code Enforcement Officer. Budget two to four weeks from application to permitted work start.
• Upper Makefield Township: Timeline depends on completeness of the application package and staff review schedule. A complete application — including all five required documents — will move faster than an incomplete one. Call 215-968-3340 for a current estimate.
• Municipalities with no permit requirement: No waiting period. Work can be scheduled as soon as you confirm your municipality is in the "no permit" category.

The practical takeaway: if you're in a municipality that requires a permit, build at least two to four weeks into your project timeline before the tree service can start work. If you're in an emergency situation — a storm-damaged tree, a failing trunk, an active hazard — most municipalities have provisions that accelerate or waive the permit process. Communicate the urgency clearly when you contact the municipal office.

When Are Tree Removal Permits Not Required in Bucks County?

Even in municipalities that generally require permits, several situations commonly create exemptions. These aren't universal — confirm with your municipality — but they appear consistently across Bucks County ordinances:

Dead and Dying Trees

Most Bucks County municipalities exempt dead trees from permit requirements, even when healthy tree removal requires a permit. If your tree is confirmed dead by a certified arborist, document it clearly and communicate that to your municipality when you call. Doylestown Borough explicitly exempts emergency removals. Northampton Township and Perkasie Borough both exempt dead and hazardous trees regardless of size.

Emerald Ash Borer-Killed Ash Trees

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has spread throughout Bucks County, and most ash trees that haven't already been treated are either infested or at serious risk. EAB-killed ash trees typically die within two to four years of infestation and can become dangerously brittle. In most municipalities, a dead ash tree qualifies for the same emergency or dead-tree exemption that applies to any other dead tree. Don't let a permit question keep you from removing an actively hazardous tree — call your municipality, explain the situation, and ask specifically whether the dead-tree exemption applies.

Emergency Situations and Storm Damage

Fallen trees, trees actively threatening structures, and post-storm hazards are treated as emergencies in most Bucks County municipalities. Doylestown Borough explicitly includes this exemption in its ordinance. For other municipalities, emergency language in the ordinance typically allows removal to proceed when waiting for a permit would create an ongoing threat to life or property. Document the damage with photos, proceed with removal if there's an active hazard, and follow up with the municipality afterward if a permit would normally be required.

Invasive Species

Doylestown Borough specifically exempts four invasive species from its permit requirement: sumac, box elder, sassafras, and ailanthus (tree of heaven). Other municipalities may have similar exemptions — ask when you call.

Tree Removal Rules in Bucks County That Surprise Most Homeowners

After working in Bucks County, these are the situations that catch property owners off guard most often:

Your HOA Rules Apply Even If Your Township Doesn't Require a Permit

HOA covenants and declarations are entirely separate from township ordinances. Many communities in Lower Makefield, Northampton Township, Warminster, and elsewhere have HOA tree policies that are more restrictive than municipal rules. Your township might not require a permit, but your HOA board might require approval, a landscaping plan, or a replacement planting commitment before any tree is removed. Review your HOA's declaration of covenants and conditions, or call your HOA management company, before scheduling work.

The Tree in the Curb Strip Is Not Your Tree to Remove Without Permission

Across virtually every Bucks County municipality, the strip of land between the curb and the sidewalk is public right-of-way. Trees planted there — even if they're directly in front of your property and you've been maintaining them for years — are regulated by the municipality, not by you alone. If that tree is dead, diseased, or causing damage to your driveway or sidewalk, contact your municipal Public Works or Shade Tree Commission first. In many cases, the municipality will handle the removal themselves, or require you to get formal approval before proceeding.

Healthy Tree Removal During Development Triggers Replacement Requirements

If you're not just removing a tree but clearing land for an addition, subdivision, or development project, the rules change entirely. Nearly every Bucks County municipality has woodland preservation standards built into its subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO). Clearing for development typically requires a landscape plan, a replacement planting schedule, and approval from the Township's planning department — not just a simple permit application. Bring in your engineer early on projects of this scope.

Size Thresholds Are Measured at Breast Height, Not at the Base

When an ordinance says "trees 6 inches or larger," that measurement is taken at DBH — diameter at breast height, which is 4.5 feet from the ground. A tree might look much larger or smaller at the base than at the measurement point. If you're not sure whether your tree meets the threshold, a certified arborist can measure it accurately — or you can measure the circumference at 4.5 feet and divide by pi (3.14) to get the diameter.

What Happens If You Remove a Tree Without a Required Permit in Bucks County?

The consequences of unpermitted tree removal are real and can exceed the cost of the permit many times over. Common outcomes across Bucks County municipalities:

• Fines: Municipal code enforcement can issue fines for each violation. In some cases, each tree removed without a required permit is treated as a separate violation.
• Stop-work orders: If you have other permitted work happening on the property — an addition, a fence, a pool — a stop-work order on related permits can halt all of it until the tree violation is resolved.
• Mandatory replacement planting: Upper Makefield Township can require a full Reforestation Plan retroactively. The replacement trees you're required to plant as a penalty may cost far more than the permit fee and the tree removal combined.
• Permit revocation: In Upper Makefield and similar municipalities, valid permits for other projects can be revoked pending resolution of an unpermitted tree removal.
• Shade Tree Commission hearings: In boroughs like Doylestown and Newtown, unpermitted shade tree work can require a formal hearing before the Commission. This adds time, cost, and public record to what was supposed to be a routine job.

How to Find Out If Your Bucks County Municipality Requires a Tree Permit

If your municipality isn't covered in this guide or you want to verify current requirements directly, here's the fastest approach:

1. Find your municipality's website. Search "[your township name] Bucks County PA official website." Most Bucks County municipalities have official .org or .gov sites.
2. Look for the Zoning, Building, or Code Enforcement department. Tree permit questions are typically handled by one of these departments, or by a Shade Tree Commission if one exists.
3. Call, don't email. A phone call gets you an answer in two to five minutes. An email may take days and often results in a generic response. Ask specifically: "Do I need a permit to remove a tree on my private residential property, and if so, what is the size threshold?"
4. Search eCode360. Most Bucks County municipal codes are available at ecode360.com. Search your municipality name, then search within the code for "tree" to find relevant ordinance sections.

If you're already planning to hire a tree service, ask them. A contractor who works regularly in Bucks County will know their municipalities — or know how to find out quickly. At Oscar's, when we provide an estimate in Bucks County, we tell you upfront whether a permit is needed and walk you through what that process looks like for your specific township.