Do you need a permit to remove or prune a tree in Melbourne?

Possibly. There is no single private-tree rule that applies to every Melbourne property. Requirements can depend on the council, planning scheme, overlays, local laws, property covenants, tree size or status, development approvals and whether the tree is on private, shared or public land.

Check before work is approved. A contractor’s quote is not a permit, and an arborist report does not grant permission by itself.

The short answer

1. Identify the correct council and exact property address.

2. Check the council’s current private-tree removal and pruning rules.

3. Check planning overlays and existing permit conditions.

4. Confirm tree ownership and any body-corporate or neighbour consent.

5. Ask whether a report, application, fee or replacement planting is required.

6. Obtain written approval or record the relevant exemption before work.

This article is general information, not legal advice or a council determination.

Why the answer changes by property

Melbourne’s urban forest is managed through several layers. A council may use local-law controls or a significant-tree register. A planning scheme can apply a Vegetation Protection Overlay, Significant Landscape Overlay, Heritage Overlay or other control. A development permit can contain its own tree-retention conditions.

Two properties in neighbouring suburbs can therefore have different requirements. Even on one property, one tree may be controlled while another is not.

Step 1 — Identify the decision-maker

Use the property address to identify the local council. If the tree is on:

• private land: start with the council’s private-tree information;
• a common-property area: also check owners-corporation authority;
• a rental property: obtain owner/agent authority;
• a boundary or neighbouring property: resolve ownership and access;
• a nature strip, park or road reserve: contact the council or responsible authority;
• land covered by a development approval: review permit documents and endorsed plans.

Do not assume that a branch overhanging your property means you own the tree or can authorise access to the neighbour’s land.

Step 2 — Check local-law and planning controls

Search the council website for current tree removal, significant tree, private tree, pruning and permit guidance. Then check the property’s planning information and existing approvals where relevant.

Questions to ask include:

• Is the tree on a significant or heritage register?
• Is height, trunk circumference, canopy or species used as a threshold?
• Does the rule cover pruning as well as removal?
• Are dead, dying or hazardous trees treated differently?
• Is an arborist report required?
• What qualification must the report author hold?
• Is a replacement tree required?
• Is there an application fee?
• How long is a decision currently taking?
• Can work start before written approval?

Save the page or email response with the date because guidance can change.

Step 3 — Define the proposed work

Councils may distinguish minor pruning, significant pruning and removal. “Trim the tree” is too vague for a reliable check.

Describe:

• the tree and location;
• the reason for work;
• the pruning objective and extent, or removal proposal;
• known defects or site conflict;
• photos and any recent change;
• the desired stump outcome;
• relevant development or neighbour context.

The same discipline improves the quote.

Step 4 — Find out whether a report is needed

A council may ask for a report when the tree is protected, when health or risk is disputed, or where development is involved. Ask for the council’s current report guideline before commissioning one.

A formal report should be prepared by a person whose qualification and experience meet the brief. It should identify:

• author and qualification;
• client and instructions;
• property and inspected tree;
• inspection date and method;
• observations and relevant measurements;
• analysis;
• recommendations;
• limitations;
• supporting photographs, plans or references where needed.

A free quote/site visit is not a substitute.

Step 5 — Apply and wait for the decision

Submit the required form, report, photographs, plans and fee. Keep the lodgement receipt and final decision.

Approval may include conditions such as:

• a limit on pruning;
• work method or supervision;
• wildlife/habitat requirements;
• replacement planting;
• timing;
• protection of other trees;
• a permit expiry.

Provide the approval and conditions to the selected tree-work provider before booking.

Step 6 — Match the quote to the approval

The quote should describe work that fits the permit. If the approval allows selective pruning, a quote for complete removal is not compliant. If stump work, traffic management or an arborist’s supervision is required, identify who provides it.

Keep the permit and completion evidence after work.

What about an emergency?

Protect life first. Call 000 for immediate danger, stay well away from powerlines and contact the electricity distributor, and use VICSES 132 500 for non-life-threatening storm assistance.

Councils can have emergency processes, evidence requirements or exemptions, but they are not uniform. Where safe:

• take photographs from outside the hazard area;
• record when the change occurred;
• keep authority reference numbers;
• preserve the removed material if directed;
• obtain an appropriate written statement/report where required;
• contact the council as soon as practicable.

“It was dangerous” should not be used as an undocumented shortcut after planned removal.

Dead trees and permit assumptions

A dead tree may still be protected or require evidence under a local process. It can also be more hazardous to work on because dead timber may have reduced strength.

Ask the council what proof it accepts and do not approach the tree to obtain close photos.

Neighbouring trees

Branches and roots crossing a boundary can raise property-law and tree-health questions. Before work:

• confirm who owns the tree;
• communicate with the neighbour;
• check council/planning controls;
• avoid pruning beyond the boundary or in a way that destabilises or seriously harms the tree;
• obtain access permission where workers need to enter the neighbour’s land;
• seek legal advice for a dispute.

Treepeeps cannot determine legal rights through a quote.

Public and nature-strip trees

Do not engage a private contractor to prune or remove a council or road-authority tree without written authority. Report the issue to the asset owner. Powerline vegetation may involve the electricity distributor or its contractors.

Who is responsible for the permit?

The property owner remains responsible for ensuring work is authorised, unless a written agreement clearly allocates an application task. A provider can help with information, but should not promise council approval.

Before accepting a quote, ask:

1. Does the quote assume the customer already has approval?

2. Will the provider check the permit document before work?

3. Is a report or application service included?

4. Are council fees included?

5. What happens if the permit differs from the quoted scope?

Permit questions

Is there one permit for all of Melbourne?

No. Start with the relevant council and property controls.

Does owning the property mean I can remove any tree?

No. Ownership does not remove council, planning, covenant or approval constraints.

Can an arborist approve the removal?

An arborist can provide a professional opinion or report. The authority decides where permission is required.

Is pruning exempt?

Not always. Significant pruning can be controlled.

Do I need a report for every tree?

No. Ask the council. Do not commission a formal report unless the decision needs it.

Does a quote count as evidence that a tree is hazardous?

Usually a quote is designed to price work, not provide a formal assessment. Ask what evidence the council requires.

What if the permit is refused?

Do not proceed outside the approval. Review the reasons and any appeal or alternative-pruning pathway with the council and appropriate advisers.

How current is this guide?

It was prepared on 31 July 2026. Council pages and planning controls must be checked again for the property before work.

Ready to define the work?

After you have checked the council pathway, send the property suburb, tree photos, council response or report brief, access details and desired outcome. Read about tree removal, tree pruning or the quote/site-visit process.

After checking the relevant council pathway, request a quote or assessment.