Durham Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide

Durham County, North Carolina

Verified

Protected Tree Definition

12.0" DBH minimum for protection

Durham Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) §9.8 Tree Protection regulates significant trees and heritage trees on all non-single-family-residential development sites. Significant trees: ≥12 inches DBH for most species. Heritage trees: ≥24 inches DBH or any tree of exceptional size, age, or historical significance designated by the City/County Arborist. Historic Overlay District (HOD) and Neighborhood Protection Overlay (NPO) provisions add enhanced tree protection in regulated districts. Durham operates under a joint City-County planning framework so Durham County tree provisions also apply within city limits on qualifying sites.

Protected Species

Heritage designations commonly include willow oak (Quercus phellos) white oak (Quercus alba) water oak (Quercus nigra) American beech (Fagus grandifolia) tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) loblolly pine and other designated native canopy species.

Heritage / Landmark Trees

Heritage trees: ≥24 inch DBH or any tree of exceptional size, age, or historical significance; enhanced mitigation required for removal. Historic Overlay District (HOD) Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) required for tree removal on regulated properties.

Permit Requirements

Tree Protection Plan required at site plan submittal for commercial, multi-family, institutional, and mixed-use development. Heritage Tree Removal Permit required regardless of site category. Historic Overlay District COA required for tree removal on regulated properties. Public street tree work coordinated with Durham General Services / Urban Forestry.

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

Required Report Sections

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

Replacement Requirements

Inch-for-inch replacement for significant trees; enhanced ratios (typically 2:1 or greater) for heritage trees per UDO §9.8

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

Fees & Fines

Processing Time

3-6 weeks for tree protection review as part of development submittal

Required Certifications

ISA Certified Arborist; tree protection plans prepared by Certified Arborist or registered landscape architect

Municipal Code

Durham Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) §9.8 Tree Protection; Historic Overlay District and Neighborhood Protection Overlay provisions

View full ordinance

Contact

Durham City-County Planning Department / General Services Urban Forestry

(919) 560-4137

Other North Carolina cities

Apex Asheville Burlington Cary Fayetteville Huntersville Matthews Raleigh
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 Durham before submitting permits or reports.

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

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

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

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