Do you need any kind of special permit to cut a tree down in your own yard?

Question

Its really huge.

Answer 1

Where I last lived, in a rural northeast Texas town, there may have been an ordinance against cutting down the BIG tree I did, but I didn't think to even think about it, and so I cut it down. Let me repeat the response I've read in some of your other answers: Be DAMNN SURE you know what you're doing. One branch of the tree I cut down came so close to my neighbor's house that the leaves of that branch brushed the screen of the window of their living room while they were watching tv, and that had them dang near coming out of their skins, and I can truly understand it. And I tried to act cool and "so sure of myself" when they came running out of their house to "inspect the damage", of which, giving all glory to God, there was none. And I have a forester friend of mine who, about 25 years ago, began cutting down a tree in his front yard, and the branch landed on some power lines. Not sure about what to do, he continued cutting before he realized there was some "power" that was making it difficult for him to let go of the chain saw, but he forced himself too before he finished cutting the HUGE branch that was resting on the power lines. He called the electric company who came out and saw that he had only about one-eighth of an inch left to cut to sever that branch from the tree, and they told him that if he had severed that branch from the tree, HE would've been the ground for that electric power line instead of the tree branch, and with all the power in the lines, he woulda been a fried cat!! Do be careful. I don't know about special permits, and now that I live out in the woods of northeast Texas, I don't care, but I can tell you that you DEFINITELY need to be careful, for your sake and others. God Bless you.

Answer 2

You wouldn't need a permit to cut it down. In my city they require that in your front yard you have at least 1 tree over 12' high, so if it is in your front yard you might have to replace it. Your city should have a website that would answer the question for sure.

Answer 3

For insurance purposes, you should consult a tree trimming professional on this. Any incidents (and they do happen) caused would be covered by the company.

NOTE: make certain that they are insured and bonded...not some of the local "homeboys and vatos" that can hook you up to save on the cost.

If you live in a community directed by a HOA, you should make certain that you are not in violation of cutting down the tree. My HOA requires at least 2 trees in the front.

Best bet is to contact your local city agencies for what specific ordinances, if any, there may be.

Answer 4

It depends on where you live. Some cities have laws that you can't cut any tree more than 5" diameter without permission of the city. Other communities do not have such laws.
You need to check with your city or county officials.

Answer 5

Of course not. The tree is in your own yard, right? OWN yard... that means no permission is needed since the tree stands in your own property.

There is of course a precaution to cutting that BIG tree of yours. If by cutting it you hit or damage another person's property...that's a big Oh oh...for you!

Well, goodluck...

Answer 6

It's illegal here unless we can prove to the city that it is causing structure damage to our house. That sucks as we have 2 ugly trees that I wish were gone.

Answer 7

Nope but if it is that big you'd better know what you are doing. You might have it fall on your house or your neighbor's house or worse yet, your neighbor.

Answer 8

No, just make sure it doesn't hit your neighbors house.