Tree removal in Hillsborough: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Hillsborough Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Hillsborough's code says

Hillsborough code What Hillsborough's code adds
Permit to remove	A permit may be issued if a certified arborist writes that disease, damage or danger requires removal within 30 days. Applies: Applies to protected trees; a town-qualified arborist reviews the opinion. § 14.04.040 · code text the building and planning official, or designee, may issue a permit for the removal of a protected tree described in such subsection A if the owner or occupant of the real property on which the protected tree is located presents a written opinion from a certified arborist that, because of disease or damage or danger to persons or property, the protected tree needs to be removed within the next thirty days. Yes. You need a permit. Applies: Protected tree removals on improved land other than subdivisions. The architecture and design review board or staff reviews them. § 14.04.040 · code text All protected tree removals require review and approval from the building and planning department (by the architecture and design review board or administratively at the staff level). A tree removal permit must be obtained from the building and planning official, or designee. Yes, a protected tree removal permit is required. Applies: Applies to removing a protected tree in a subdivision. § 14.04.030 · code text Should a protected tree require removal in a subdivision, a protected tree removal permit must be submitted.
Penalty	A misdemeanor. Applies: Applies to damaging or destroying a tree in violation of the tree rules or a related agreement. § 14.04.060 · code text Any person who damages or destroys a tree, in violation of this chapter or any agreement entered into pursuant thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. $150 per inch of trunk diameter, or the tree's appraised value, whichever is greater. Applies: Applies when the tree was destroyed or cannot be restored to its former condition. § 14.04.060 · code text a penalty will be assessed of either one hundred fifty dollars per inch of trunk diameter of the removed tree, or the appraised value of the removed tree as determined by the most recent edition of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Guide for Plan Appraisal, whichever is greater. An additional fee may be charged to offset damage caused during removal. Applies: Applies when the tree was destroyed or cannot be restored to its former condition. § 14.04.060 · code text An additional fee may be assessed to mitigate damages caused during the tree removal.
Replacement trees	A replacement tree of at least 36-inch box size, planted within 6 months. Applies: Applies when a tree was destroyed or cannot be restored, in violation of the tree rules. § 14.04.060 · code text In addition, a replacement tree will be required that is a minimum of thirty-six-inch box size of a species approved by the town, and that it be replaced within six months. The removal permit must state how many replacement trees will be planted and how they are maintained. Applies: Applies to protected tree removal permits. § 14.04.040 · code text A statement indicating the number of replacement trees to be replanted and associated maintenance.

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Hillsborough?

Hillsborough's code: A permit may be issued if a certified arborist writes that disease, damage or danger requires removal within 30 days. (Applies to protected trees; a town-qualified arborist reviews the opinion.) (§ 14.04.040); A replacement tree of at least 36-inch box size, planted within 6 months. (Applies when a tree was destroyed or cannot be restored, in violation of the tree rules.) (§ 14.04.060).

Tree removal in Hillsborough

What Hillsborough's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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