Do you need a tree removal permit in Concord, NC?

We found no city-wide permit rule for private trees in Concord. Street trees, protected sites and county or HOA rules can still apply. We found no Concord rule that requires a homeowner to get a permit to remove a tree on a single-family lot. The tree preservation rules in the Concord Development Ordinance apply to residential subdivisions of 30 or more homes, and single-family homes on individual lots are exempt. Trees on city property are handled by the city's Urban Forestry Division under a separate city tree ordinance that we could not read. Our confidence: medium. Short explanation, not legal advice.

Tree save areas in new or expanded residential subdivisions of 30 or more dwelling units (at least 50% of required open space must be tree canopy). These areas may not be disturbed, cut, damaged or removed except in approved cases. Single-family detached homes on individual lots of record are exempt from this section.

The city's Urban Forestry Division maintains trees in parks, greenways and on city property, and the city says its tree ordinance protects trees on public property. We could not open the ordinance text. Call 704-920-5555 about trees on city property or near city utilities before doing any work on them.

In development tree save areas, trees that are dead, diseased or unsafe can be excluded at the Administrator's decision, and rules can be relaxed during emergencies such as major storms.

Urban Forester: 704-920-5393. Developers can discuss tree and landscape requirements for free with city review staff at the weekly Development Review Committee meeting (Thursdays).

In a development tree save area, illegal removal or damage requires replanting (1:1 with the same species if stumps remain in an area under 1 acre); the Administrator may issue a Notice of Violation. No dollar amount is stated in the source.

HOA rules can be stricter; check yours. Read your HOA covenants or ask the board before work starts.

Your address, the tree species if you know it, the trunk width measured about 4.5 feet above the ground, photos of the whole tree, and whether it is near the street, a sidewalk or a power line. Ask if a permit is needed and how long it takes.

Some do and some do not. Ask before you sign, and get it in writing who applies and who pays the fee. In many places the property owner is the one responsible for following the rules.

No. It is a short, plain summary of public rules with links to the official sources. For a firm answer on your property, ask the city or a local attorney.