Tree Removal in Willoughby: Council Rules and Permits

Quick answer: in Willoughby you need a permit to prune or remove a tree that is taller than 4 metres, has a trunk girth over 600mm at 1.4 metres above ground, or has a crown spread over 3 metres. A permit may also be needed for a smaller tree that is locally native, provides wildlife habitat or is visually prominent. You don't need a permit for selective pruning of up to 10% of a tree's crown over five years, fruit trees, declared weeds or listed undesirable species. Dead or dangerous trees don't need a permit, but Council still requires evidence. Most work on heritage properties needs a development application.

We checked these rules against Council's own website and planning documents on 8 October 2026.

Willoughby City Council covers part of Sydney's lower North Shore, including Chatswood, Willoughby, Artarmon, Naremburn, Northbridge, Castlecrag, Castle Cove and Middle Cove. Some suburbs, such as St Leonards, are split between councils, so confirm the council for the street address.

Which trees need a permit?

The controls are in Part G: Vegetation Management of the Willoughby Development Control Plan (opens in new tab). Council's trees on your property page (opens in new tab) summarises them. You need a permit to prune or remove a tree if:

• it is taller than 4 metres
• its trunk girth (circumference) exceeds 600mm, measured 1.4 metres above ground
• its crown spread exceeds 3 metres
• it is a locally native species representative of the area's original vegetation
• it is in a defined wildlife corridor or has known wildlife habitat value, or
• it is visually prominent from the street or neighbouring properties and contributes to the local character.

The last three criteria mean a tree can be protected even when it is below the size thresholds. Check these as well as height and girth.

When a development application is needed

A permit cannot be issued if the tree is part of a heritage item, in a heritage conservation area, part of an Aboriginal object or place, or listed on the Willoughby Natural Heritage Register. In those cases you need a development application, although minor or maintenance work on a heritage item that won't affect its heritage significance can be exempt. A permit also cannot be granted to clear native vegetation above the biodiversity offsets scheme threshold.

Tree work that is part of development needing consent, such as a new house or extension, is assessed with the development application.

What you can do without a permit

Part G lists these exemptions:

• Dead and dangerous trees: a dying or dead tree not needed as habitat, or a tree that is a risk to life or property. Council still requires evidence (see below).
• Selective pruning: up to a total of 10% of an individual tree's crown over a five-year period. This is not 10% a year, so keep records of what has been pruned.
• Fruit trees: recognised horticultural varieties grown for fruit production.
• Weeds: vegetation declared a weed under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
• Undesirable species: those listed in Part G's attachment, including Cootamundra and golden wattles, box elder, tree of heaven, evergreen alder, nettle trees, Leighton Green cypress, loquat, coral trees, rubber tree, honey locust, silky oak, privet and liquidambar. Camphor laurel is exempt only if it is under 10 metres tall.
• Bushfire clearing: clearing under the NSW RFS 10/50 rules, where the property is in an entitlement area.
• Approved development: work carried out under a development consent.

These exemptions apply only to private land. Pruning under the DCP must follow the Australian pruning standard and be limited to recognised pruning types, such as crown lifting, crown thinning, deadwooding, formative and reduction pruning. Topping a tree is not one of them. If someone other than the owner applies, the owner's written consent is needed. Only Ausgrid can work on trees affecting powerlines on public land.

Council recommends photographing the tree before and after any exempt work, in case a neighbour reports it.

Dead, dying and dangerous trees

Under Part G, you don't need a permit or development application to remove a dying or dead tree that is not needed as habitat, or a tree that is a risk to people or property. Council still requires evidence of those circumstances. Ask Council what it needs before removal, and photograph the tree from a safe position. A dead tree with hollows may still be habitat.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 000. For storm damage, contact the NSW SES on 132 500.

How to apply

Apply through Council's MyWilloughby tree application (opens in new tab), known as a Vegetation Management Application. You will need:

• a site plan showing the property, each tree to be inspected, other affected trees, structures, boundaries and a north point
• the property owner's consent
• any supporting information, such as an arborist, structural engineer or plumber's report.

The fee is charged on lodgement and is listed in Council's fees and charges. One of Council's arborists normally inspects the site and assesses the tree using a tree risk assessment method. Tell Council about any site safety issues beforehand. Council's Vegetation Management Guidelines (opens in new tab) say applications are determined within 28 business days of lodgement, unless a longer time is agreed. If the decision goes against you, it can be appealed within three months.

Arborist reports

Reports are required for vegetation clearing that is part of a development application. They are optional for an ordinary Vegetation Management Application and may be requested if you seek a review of a decision.

Council requires a report to come from a minimum AQF Level 5 independent consultant. The consultant must not be financially affiliated with, or have a business relationship with, a tree removal or pruning company. Under the guidelines, an application supported by a tree risk assessment report from a consulting arborist certified in that method can be assessed without a site inspection and has a shorter turnaround.

What Council won't approve

In general, Council will not approve pruning or removal:

• where its arborists find the tree healthy and stable
• for cosmetic reasons, to improve views or to let in more light
• to reduce bird droppings or leaf drop
• for sewer or stormwater problems that have workable solutions
• because branches overhang a boundary
• because of insects.

Damage to a house, granny flat, garage or pool is considered only with a structural engineer's report showing significant impact and no feasible alternative.

Replacement trees and permit display

If Council approves removal, it requires replacement planting at a rate of three trees for each tree removed. The owner must care for them until they are large enough to be protected. Where replanting on site isn't possible, you may pay a fee under Council's Tree Offset Planting Scheme so that Council plants trees on public land.

A copy of the permit must be displayed on the front boundary of the property for 72 hours before work starts and throughout the work. The DCP warns of significant penalties for wrongful removal or excessive pruning.

Bushland and wildlife corridors

Willoughby includes bushland reserves and defined wildlife corridors. Native trees in a corridor or with habitat value can need a permit regardless of size. Native vegetation clearing above the biodiversity offsets scheme threshold needs Native Vegetation Panel approval under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021.

How AA can help

Clearance pruning can deal with selected branches near a building while keeping the tree, sometimes within the five-year pruning exemption. Tree removal takes down the tree when that is appropriate and approved. Stump grinding is scoped separately.

We work across the North Shore, including Willoughby. We can look at the tree, explain your options and carry out the work once Council's permit is in place, within its conditions. Because Council requires reports from independent consultants with no link to tree contractors, any report needs to come from an independent consulting arborist, not from us. For other councils, see the Sydney council approval guide.

Rules checked against Willoughby City Council information in October 2026. Confirm current requirements with Council before work.