Asheville Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide

Buncombe County, North Carolina

Verified

Protected Tree Definition

8.0" DBH minimum for protection

Asheville City Code Chapter 7 Article XI (Tree Protection) and Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) regulate tree preservation on development sites and establish heritage-tree protection citywide. Protected trees ≥8 inches DBH on commercial, multi-family, institutional, and mixed-use development sites require preservation or mitigation. Heritage trees: designated specimens of exceptional size, age, or historical significance receive enhanced protection. Steep Slope Overlay and River Arts District overlays add enhanced tree protection on regulated properties. Historic District COA required for tree removal on regulated properties.

Protected Species

Common protected canopy species include white oak (Quercus alba) northern red oak (Quercus rubra) chestnut oak (Quercus montana) tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) American beech eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis also a state-listed species for hemlock woolly adelgid concerns) and other designated Blue Ridge / southern Appalachian native canopy species.

Heritage / Landmark Trees

Heritage trees designated by the Asheville Tree Commission or City Arborist receive enhanced protection; removal requires demonstrated hardship, hazard, or approved site plan with enhanced mitigation. Historic District COA required for tree removal on regulated properties.

Permit Requirements

Tree Removal Permit required for heritage trees regardless of site category. Tree preservation plan required at site plan submittal for commercial, multi-family, institutional, and mixed-use development. Steep Slope Overlay permit required for tree removal on steep-slope properties. Public street tree work coordinated with Asheville Parks and Recreation / Urban Forestry.

Who can apply: Property owner, authorized agent, or licensed tree service; preservation plans prepared by registered landscape architect or ISA Certified Arborist

Required Report Sections

Tree survey with species, DBH, location, condition, disposition; tree preservation plan; replacement/mitigation plan; arborist report for heritage trees

Replacement Requirements

Inch-for-inch replacement for standard protected trees; enhanced ratios (typically 2:1 or greater) for heritage trees per Chapter 7 Article XI

On-site replacement preferred with approved native canopy species; in-lieu payment to the Asheville Tree Fund accepted when on-site replacement is infeasible.

Fees & Fines

Processing Time

3-6 weeks for tree preservation review as part of site plan submittal

Required Certifications

ISA Certified Arborist; preservation plans by registered landscape architect

Municipal Code

Asheville City Code Chapter 7 Article XI (Tree Protection); Unified Development Ordinance (UDO); Steep Slope Overlay and Historic District provisions

View full ordinance

Contact

Asheville Planning and Urban Design / Parks and Recreation Urban Forestry

(828) 259-5830

Other North Carolina cities

Burlington Charlotte Huntersville Indian Trail Jacksonville Mooresville Rocky Mount Wilmington
See all North Carolina cities →

Compare with nearby cities

Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Asheville before submitting permits or reports.

Ready to apply? How to apply for a permit in Asheville →

See North Carolina replacement obligations compared: How Asheville's replacement ratio ranks in North Carolina →

See North Carolina heritage criteria compared: How Asheville's heritage designation ranks in North Carolina →

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