Protected trees
We could not confirm this from an official Phoenix source. Call the city to check.
Tree permits · Arizona
Do you need a tree removal permit in Phoenix, AZ?
Street trees
Phoenix City Code Sec. 23-32 (as summarized on the city's page) makes it unlawful to let trees, shrubs or bushes on your property interfere with signs, signals, pedestrians or motor vehicle operation. At residential street corners (Sec. 31-13), a post, column or tree up to one foot in diameter is allowed between 3 and 10 feet high inside the visibility triangle.
Dead or hazardous trees
We could not confirm this from an official Phoenix source. Call the city to check.
How to apply
The city lists Parks and Recreation Forestry Services at 602-262-6501 and the Street Transportation Department at 602-262-4659.
Penalties
Under Sec. 23-32 as summarized by the city, it can act after 7 days notice (24 hours notice where motor vehicle operation is affected), charge the owner twice the cost of the removal or trimming, and unpaid amounts become a lien on the property.
HOA note
HOA rules can be stricter; check yours.
A city permit does not override your HOA. Check your covenants before work starts.
Official sources
Last checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check the official source before work starts. Short explanation, not legal advice. Spotted a change? See our corrections page.
For homeowners
Before a tree comes down in Phoenix
- Check the city rule above and call the city if anything is unclear.
- Ask the tree company who gets the permit and put it in the written quote.
- Get two or three written quotes from local insured pros.
- Never cut near power lines. Call the utility for downed lines and 911 if anyone is in danger.
- Tree permits: what to ask
- How to hire a tree service
- Tree care in Arizona
- Arizona tree service rules
Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews. Lirevon does not do tree work and does not list or rank tree companies.
Own a tree service in Phoenix?
Permit questions mean calls. Answer every one.
Missed-call text-back, lead follow-up, online booking and review requests, set up for tree companies. Link this page in your quotes so customers know the rules.
Phoenix tree permit questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Phoenix, AZ?
We could not confirm a city tree permit rule for Phoenix. Call the city before removing a large tree. We could not confirm a city tree rule. Call the city's planning or forestry office before removing a large tree. Our confidence: low. Short explanation, not legal advice.
Can I remove or prune a street tree in front of my house in Phoenix?
Phoenix City Code Sec. 23-32 (as summarized on the city's page) makes it unlawful to let trees, shrubs or bushes on your property interfere with signs, signals, pedestrians or motor vehicle operation. At residential street corners (Sec. 31-13), a post, column or tree up to one foot in diameter is allowed between 3 and 10 feet high inside the visibility triangle.
How do I apply for a tree permit in Phoenix?
The city lists Parks and Recreation Forestry Services at 602-262-6501 and the Street Transportation Department at 602-262-4659.
What happens if I remove a tree without a permit in Phoenix?
Under Sec. 23-32 as summarized by the city, it can act after 7 days notice (24 hours notice where motor vehicle operation is affected), charge the owner twice the cost of the removal or trimming, and unpaid amounts become a lien on the property.
Do HOA rules matter for tree removal in Phoenix?
HOA rules can be stricter; check yours. Read your HOA covenants or ask the board before work starts.
What should I have ready before I call the city?
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.
Will the tree company get the permit for me?
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.
Is this page legal advice?
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.
How current is this Phoenix information?
We last checked it on 26 October 2026 against the official sources listed on this page. City rules change, so check the official source or call the city before work starts.
Can county or state rules apply in Phoenix too?
Yes, they can. County rules, state rules for things like wetlands or protected species, and utility rules near power lines can apply on top of city rules. If your property is outside city limits, the county rules usually apply instead. Ask the city or county office.
Short explanation, not legal advice. Last checked 26 October 2026.