Trees on your property – pruning or removing

Please check if you live in a Heritage Conservation Area before submitting this application. If you do, you are required to submit a development application instead.

A tree works permit is required for most trees unless it is one of the exempt activities:

• Canopy lifting to 2.5 metres above ground level.
• The pruning of deadwood. The deadwood must not have hollows or provide habitat for native fauna.

Applying for a permit:

1. Complete the tree works application form (PDF, 224.89KB). Please note that a signature from all owners is required on the form, otherwise you application will be refused.
2. Collect any supporting documentation to assist with your application such as an arborist report, plumber's report etc. (this is not mandatory).
3. Lodge the application form in our online portal.

You must login or register to submit your tree permit application online. Please use the button below to go to Council's online portal.

Submit tree permit application

Lodging a tree permit application requires a fee to paid. Refer to Council's fees and charges.

Once your application is received, a Council officer will contact you to arrange a site inspection (if required). Applications with complete documentation will generally be finalised within 28 days. 

If Council requests additional information within this period, the count will stop and continue once this information has been provided.

Development consent is required for works to trees in the following:

• Removal of trees is identified on the Inner West Council Heritage tree list. Click the link below to see if your tree is on the heritage trees list (PDF, 146.84KB).
• The tree forms part of an Aboriginal object or is located within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance
• The tree is located within a Heritage Conservation Area or is a Heritage Item where the works are determined to have an adverse impact.

To find out more about how to lodge a development application, click on the link below 

development applications page 

Development fact sheets

The fact sheets below are provided to guide application when engaging technical experts such as arborists, engineers and plumbers to provide reports that may be required to support your application. Please ensure that the consultant you engage is aware of these report requirements prior to engaging them. Reports submitted to Council that do not meet these minimum requirements may be rejected by Council.

• Development fact sheet – Trees on development sites (PDF, 476.12KB)
• Development fact sheet – Arborist reports (PDF, 485.64KB)
• Development fact sheet – Technical reports (PDF, 303.56KB)

Council does not undertake the pruning or removal of trees on private property. This work is best undertaken by a qualified arborist. It is important to hire appropriately qualified people to carry out tree works.

Before employing an arborist, check that they are insured and carry Australian Qualifying Framework (AQF) certification in arboriculture. 

The organisations listed below keep registers of consulting and practising arborists:

Institute of Australian Consulting Arboriculturists

• Phone: 1300 853 288
• Website: www.iaca.org.au

Arboriculture Australia

• Phone: 1300 664 374
• Website: Arboriculture Australia (trees.org.au)

Tree Contractors Association

• Phone: 1300 660 379
• Website: Tree Contractors Association

Disclaimer: Inner West Council does not endorse or recommend any listed provider. You should conduct your own review process before choosing any listed service provider.

If you believe a contractor is working in an unsafe manner, please contact:

Safe Work NSW

• Phone: 13 10 50
• Website: Safe Work NSW website

Consulting arborists (Consultant)

Consulting arborists have the training and experience to provide expert assessments on the health and condition of trees.

If you need specialist advice concerning your tree/s or require an arborist report, as per Council’s conditions, you will need to engage a consulting arborist with AQF Level 5 or equivalent in horticulture (arboriculture). Council's minimum requirements for the different types of arborist reports are provided in the fact sheets above. 

Working arborist (trade)

Working or practising arborists are trade qualified to care for trees and are generally engaged to provide pruning and/or removal works.

Once you have obtained permission to undertake tree works, look for an arborist who has an AQF Level 3 qualification or equivalent in Horticulture (Arboriculture). This ensures that the work is done in accordance with the Australian Standards.

An arborist who has a minimum AQF Level 4 qualification should be engaged to assess root pruning requirements.