Northern Beaches Tree Permits: When to Check With Council

Start With the Current Council Guidance

Whether you need approval depends on the tree, the property and the work proposed. Do not rely on a neighbour's experience or an old permit rule.

Start with Northern Beaches Council's current private-land tree guidance. Council updates this page as rules, forms and supporting information change.

This guide helps you understand the questions to ask. It is not a Council decision about your property.

Work That May Not Need a Council Permit

Council currently lists circumstances where removal may be allowed without its permit. Examples include:

• A tree under 5 metres high
• A tree on Council's current exempt species list
• A tree within 2 metres of an existing approved building, subject to Council's definition and exclusions
• A dead tree that is not required as native-animal habitat, with photographic evidence recommended
• A tree that has fallen or partly fallen in a storm and still presents a danger, with photographs required
• A high-risk tree certified as an imminent danger by an AQF Level 5 arborist, with specific written evidence and Council-record requirements

Other legislation, development conditions, heritage controls, biodiversity mapping and habitat requirements can still change the answer.

Pruning Without a Permit

Council's current page says reasonable pruning of up to 10 per cent of a tree's canopy within 12 calendar months may be carried out without a permit when it follows AS 4373–2007. It also lists deadwood removal.

This does not mean every requested reduction is allowed. Council states that lopping, topping and pruning beyond what a species can tolerate will not be permitted.

Our tree pruning service explains the difference between selective pruning and rough topping.

When a Permit Is More Likely

A permit may be required for a protected tree, native vegetation, heritage property, threatened-species habitat or a tree required to remain under an earlier development consent.

Council may also direct some properties on the Biodiversity Values Map to a different approval process. Use the links on Council's current page and ask its team which process applies before arranging work.

What Council Asks for

Council's current application guidance includes:

• The property owner's consent
• A completed site plan
• The relevant online or paper application
• Payment of the current fee
• Supporting arborist information where required

Council may ask for an AQF Level 5 arborist report for a significant tree or a specific high-risk exemption.

Affordable Tree Services can prepare suitable basic Council-ready arborist reports, but we do not submit applications or communicate with Council on your behalf.

Before You Book Tree Work

1. Identify the tree and the work you want done.
2. Check the current Council page and planning controls for the property.
3. Keep photographs and any documents supporting an exemption.
4. Ask Council for clarification if the position is not clear.
5. Obtain any required permit or report before regulated work starts.
6. Give the approved documents to the tree team when requesting a quote.

How We Can Help

We can inspect the tree, explain whether pruning or removal may suit the practical problem, and provide a clear written quote. If Council has requested a basic report, an AQF Level 5 team member can prepare and sign it where the request fits our arborist report service.

The property owner remains responsible for approvals, submissions and the final Council decision.