Raleigh Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide

Wake County, North Carolina

Verified

Protected Tree Definition

10.0" DBH minimum for protection

Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) §9.1 Tree Conservation requires Tree Conservation Areas (TCA) on most residential lots ≥2 acres and on all non-residential development sites. Protected trees ≥10 inches DBH identified inside TCAs must be preserved unless removal is approved through site plan review. Champion and heritage trees (≥30 inch DBH for most species, lower for designated species) receive enhanced protection. Historic Overlay District (HOD) overlays add additional tree preservation requirements for regulated properties.

Protected Species

Heritage/champion designations commonly include willow oak (Quercus phellos) white oak (Quercus alba) water oak (Quercus nigra) southern red oak American beech tulip poplar bald cypress and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).

Heritage / Landmark Trees

Champion trees and heritage trees identified by the City Arborist or maintained on the city's heritage-tree registry receive enhanced review; removal requires demonstrated hardship, hazard, or approved site plan with enhanced mitigation. Historic Overlay District Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) required for tree removal on regulated properties.

Permit Requirements

Tree Conservation Area plan required at subdivision or site plan application. Tree Impact Permit required for removal of protected trees inside a TCA. Historic Overlay District COA required for tree removal on regulated properties. Public street tree work coordinated with Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources / Urban Forestry.

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

Required Report Sections

Tree survey with species, DBH, location, condition, and disposition; Tree Conservation Area plan; replacement/mitigation plan; arborist report for champion or heritage trees

Replacement Requirements

Inch-for-inch replacement for standard protected trees; enhanced ratios for champion/heritage trees per UDO §9.1

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

Fees & Fines

Processing Time

3-6 weeks for TCA or Tree Impact Permit review as part of development submittal

Required Certifications

ISA Certified Arborist; tree inventory and TCA plans prepared by Certified Arborist or registered landscape architect

Municipal Code

Raleigh Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) §9.1 Tree Conservation; Historic Overlay District provisions

View full ordinance

Contact

Raleigh Planning and Development / Urban Forestry

(919) 996-2500

Nearby Cities in Wake County

Apex Cary Wake Forest

Other North Carolina cities

Concord Gastonia Greensboro High Point Indian Trail Jacksonville Wilmington Wilson
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 Raleigh before submitting permits or reports.

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

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

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

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