Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Huntsville?

Usually no permission needed

• A tree growing on your own private residential property, away from the street, not covered by a recorded covenant.
• Dead, diseased, or storm-damaged trees on private property.
• Routine pruning of your own trees.

Where you DO need to check first

• Right-of-way trees. The strip between the sidewalk and the street is often public right-of-way even though you mow it. Those trees are typically the city's.
• HOA and subdivision covenants. Many Madison County subdivisions have recorded restrictions on removing trees over a certain diameter. This is the single most common surprise.
• Easements. Utility and drainage easements can carry restrictions.
• Protected or heritage trees, where a local designation applies.
• Commercial property and new development, which frequently have landscape and tree ordinance requirements.
• Anything near a power line - not a permit, but call Huntsville Utilities at 256-535-1200 before work begins.

How to check in ten minutes

• Look up your recorded covenants, or ask your HOA in writing and keep the reply.
• Call the City of Huntsville and ask whether the tree is in the right-of-way. Have the address and the distance from the curb ready.
• Call 811 before any grinding or digging. Free, and required.
• Get whatever you are told in writing. "Somebody said it was fine" is not a defense if a covenant is enforced.
• Requirements change. Confirm current rules with the city or county rather than relying on a web page, including this one.

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