This page is about Eastern Suburbs Tree Removal & Pruning. If you are looking information for another Sydney region, check out our Tree Removal & Pruning Guide.

Regulating LGA’s For Eastern Suburbs Tree Removal & Pruning

The Eastern Suburbs is home to around 267k residents. All tree work within the Eastern Suburbs is regulated by five local government areas (LGA’s). You will find specific information about each LGA via the links below:

  • Municipality of Woollahra
  • Waverley Council
  • City of Randwick
  • Bayside Council (part)
  • City of Sydney (part)

According to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) 2017, each regulating LGA has the authority to declare which species, size, and location of trees require a permit or development approval.

Guidelines For Eastern Suburbs Tree Removal & Pruning Permit

Before you begin any tree work, it’s important to check local guidelines and restrictions. You may be liable for heavy fines if you prune, remove or damage a tree without obtaining council approval first.

Some trees, and especially native species, are protected under local tree preservation orders. That said, there are exemptions to the rule. In some cases you can document the relevant evidence, and then proceed without approval. Other times you may need to submit an application to the council.

We’ve provided some information below as a guide. Listed underneath each LGA you’ll find scenarios when a permit or development approval is required.

Municipality of Woollahra Tree Removal & Pruning

The below lists tree work requiring a permit or development consent in the Municipality of Woollahra. For more information about costs, exemptions, and more, see the Municipality of Woollahra page above.

  • Any tree with a crown span of 3m or greater, which are not on the exempt tree list.
  • Trees with a height greater than 5m, which are not on the exempt tree list.
  • Any root pruning where the proposed tree has roots with a diameter of 50mm or greater.
  • Any tree listed on the Woollahra Significant Tree Register.
  • Heritage item trees, or on a heritage conservation area.
  • Trees on land that contains a heritage item.
  • Any bushland as defined in State Environmental Planning Policy 19 – Bushland in Urban Areas.
  • Not listed on the Municipality of Woollahra exempt tree species list.

Waverley Council Tree Removal & Pruning

The list below states tree work that requires a permit or development consent. For more information about costs, exemptions, and more, see the Waverley Council page above.

  • Any tree with a height of 5m or more, and a trunk diameter of 300mm or greater at ground level.
  • A canopy of 5m or greater, and a trunk diameter of 300mm or greater at ground level.
  • Heritage listed item, or forms part of heritage item.
  • Listed on Waverley Significant Tree Register.
  • Not listed on the Waverley Council exempt tree species list.

City of Randwick Tree Removal & Pruning

The list below states tree removal and pruning work that requires a permit or development consent. For more information about City of Randwick tree services, see the corresponding page above.

  • All trees with a height 6m or more.
  • A canopy of 4m or more.
  • Any single trunk tree with a circumference of 1m or more measured 1m above the ground.
  • Any multiple trunk tree with combined trunk circumference of 1m or more. Measured around the outer girth of the group of trunks at 1m above ground level.
  • Any palm tree (except Cocos palms).
  • All cycad or trees and ferns
  • Trees in recognised bushland
  • Any hollow bearing tree
  • Trees contained on Heritage Conservation Area.
  • Any heritage item, or tree that forms part of a Heritage Item.
  • Trees that forms part of an Aboriginal object, or is within an Aboriginal place of heritage significance.
  • A tree listed on Council’s Register of Significant Trees.
  • Not listed on the City of Randwick exempt tree species list.

Bayside Council Tree Removal & Pruning

See the list below for tree removal and pruning work that requires a permit or development consent. For more information about Bayside Council tree work, see the corresponding page above.

  • A tree with height of 3m or more, and a diameter of 200mm or greater at chest height, or 600mm circumference for a multi trunked tree.
  • Heritage listed item, or part of heritage listed property.
  • Any tree that contributes to an Endangered Ecological Community.
  • Is protected by any other State or Federal legislation (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) irrespective of size.
  • Not listed on the Bayside Council exempt tree species list.

City of Sydney Tree Removal & Pruning

See the list below for tree removal and pruning work that requires a permit or development consent. For more information about Bayside Council tree work, see the corresponding page above.

  • Pruning more than 5% of the trees canopy.
  • Any tree listed on the significant tree register, or listed as heritage item, or on heritage listed site.
  • All tree removal except those list on the tree exempt list.