Pittsburgh Tree Removal & Planting Rules

Land Use and Zoning Pennsylvania 3 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026 Flag of Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania regulates removal and planting of public street trees and provides guidance for trees on private property. For street trees and work in the public right-of-way, contact the Department of Public Works - Bureau of Forestry to determine permit requirements and approved planting standards. Department of Public Works - Bureau of Forestry[1] For building- or construction-related trees and site permits, consult the Department of City Planning permits pages to see whether a tree removal is part of a building permit or zoning approval. Department of City Planning - Permits[2]

Penalties & Enforcement

The City enforces street tree and right-of-way rules through the Department of Public Works - Bureau of Forestry; construction- and site-related enforcement frequently involves Department of City Planning and building inspection staff. Specific civil fines or daily penalties are not specified on the cited pages; see the listed official sources and contact the enforcing department directly for amounts and schedules. [1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary actions: stop-work or restoration orders, replacement planting orders, and civil or court actions may be used; specific remedies are not fully listed on the cited pages.
  • Enforcer: Department of Public Works - Bureau of Forestry and Department of City Planning for permit-linked violations. Contact links appear in Help and Support below.
  • Appeals and review: procedures and time limits are not specified on the cited pages; request appeal instructions from the enforcing office when notified of an enforcement action.
If you receive an order or ticket, contact the issuing office immediately to learn appeal deadlines and next steps.

Applications & Forms

Common permit-related items and where to look:

  • Street tree permits and requests for work in the right-of-way: contact the Bureau of Forestry for the application and planting specifications. [1]
  • Building or demolition permits that affect trees on private lots: consult Department of City Planning permit guidance to determine required submissions. [2]
  • Fees: specific fees for tree permits or required mitigation are not specified on the cited pages.
Always check with the Bureau of Forestry before removing any tree in the public right-of-way.

How to prepare and apply

Before work begins, confirm jurisdiction (street/right-of-way versus private property) and whether the tree is in a protected zone or tied to a building permit. Contact the enforcing office listed below for current application forms and species lists.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in front of my house?
For trees in the public right-of-way or on the street terrace, yes: contact the Bureau of Forestry for permit requirements; for trees entirely on private property, local permitting may not apply but check zoning or historic-district rules.
Who enforces tree removals and plantings?
The Department of Public Works - Bureau of Forestry handles street trees; Department of City Planning and building inspectors handle permit-linked removals and construction impacts.
What penalties apply for illegal removal?
Specific fines and penalties are not specified on the cited pages; enforcement can include orders to replace trees and civil action—contact the enforcing department for details.

How-To

  1. Identify whether the tree is in the public right-of-way or on private property by measuring from the curb and confirming parcel boundaries.
  2. Contact the Bureau of Forestry or Department of City Planning to request guidance and obtain the correct permit application. [1]
  3. Complete and submit the required application(s), attach photos/site plan, and pay any listed fee (see the enforcing office for current fees). [2]
  4. Schedule inspections or follow permit conditions (replacement plantings, approved species, contractor licensing) and retain records of approvals.

Key Takeaways

  • Street trees are managed by the Bureau of Forestry; always confirm before removal.
  • Building or development projects may trigger additional tree protection rules through City Planning.
  • If enforcement occurs, contact the issuing office immediately to learn appeal and compliance steps.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Department of Public Works - Bureau of Forestry, City of Pittsburgh
  2. [2] Department of City Planning - Permits, City of Pittsburgh

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