Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Brisbane?
Yes, if the tree is protected vegetation under Brisbane City Council's Natural Assets Local Law 2003 and no exemption applies. Permit applications are free. A common exemption covers a tree whose whole trunk is within 3 m of an occupied house on a block up to 4,000 m², but it doesn't apply to Significant Landscape Trees.
Updated October 2026 by 
Steven Piper
Which trees are protected in Brisbane?
Brisbane City Council protects four categories of vegetation under the Natural Assets Local Law 2003 (NALL). A tree can also be protected by a development approval condition, a heritage listing or a covenant on the title.
- Council vegetation: anything on land council owns, controls or occupies, including street trees and park trees.
- Waterway and wetland vegetation: vegetation along natural or man-made waterways and wetlands, fresh or salt water.
- Significant urban vegetation: native and exotic trees on private property that are mature or prominent in the landscape.
- Significant native vegetation: native vegetation of any size, from ground covers and grasses to large trees.
Significant Landscape Trees sit inside the significant urban vegetation category and have the tightest rules: almost any work on them needs a permit. Anyone can also nominate a tree for protection with a Vegetation Protection Order nomination.
How do you check if your tree is protected?
Ask council. Brisbane City Council will email you a map and a detailed report on your property if you make a protected vegetation enquiry online.
- Make a protected vegetation enquiry for your address on the council website. Council emails back a map and a PDF report.
- Or look up your property on the land and environmental map in council's community maps.
- If you're still unsure, call council on 07 3403 8888 before any work starts.
Council says it doesn't guarantee the report is accurate, so keep a copy and ask questions if something looks wrong.
When don't you need a permit?
You don't need a permit when the work fits one of council's exemptions. These are the ones homeowners use most, from council's own exemptions table.
| Work | No permit needed if |
|---|---|
| Removing a tree near your house | The whole trunk is within 3 m of a lawfully built, occupied dwelling on a block up to 4,000 m² (6 m on bigger blocks). Not for Significant Landscape Trees. |
| Pruning for maintenance or hazards | No more than 20% of live foliage comes off in any 12 months, spread evenly over the crown, without leaving the tree lop-sided, and to AS 4373. Not for Significant Landscape Trees. |
| A tree that's an immediate danger | It shows obvious signs of immediate hazard, like a split trunk or a lean with soil lifting. You must give council photos, and an arborist report if asked, within 10 business days. |
| Garden plants and lawn | Garden vegetation has a trunk under 30 cm in diameter, measured 1.4 m above the ground. Not for Significant Landscape Trees. |
| Building a boundary fence | The vegetation is within 3 m of the boundary and its trunk is under 20 cm in diameter at 1.4 m. |
| Clearing weeds | The work avoids damaging nearby protected vegetation, keeps soil disturbance down and follows council's pest vegetation guidelines. |
| An accident or emergency | Removing the vegetation is essential to respond immediately or to provide essential access. |
Street trees are different: pruning, trimming or removing any part of a street tree always needs a permit from council.
How do you apply for a permit?
You apply to Brisbane City Council online, and the application is free. Lodging one doesn't guarantee a permit, because council assesses each application against the NALL.
- Check the exemptions above and your property report, so you know a permit is actually needed.
- Pick the permit type. A short-term permit suits one-off pruning or removal. A long-term permit, valid for up to 10 years, suits ongoing maintenance and needs a protected vegetation management plan.
- Gather supporting documents and photos of the tree. Council may want an arborist report.
- Lodge the application online, or complete the hard copy form.
- If council grants the permit, complete the declaration of compliance once the work is done.
Need an arborist report for your application? See the best rated arborists in Brisbane, many of whom write reports for council.
When will council want an arborist report?
Council can ask for an arborist report with your permit application. An arborist report sets out the tree's structural condition and any risks. Council may also want a tree risk assessment report, which sets out the tree's risks from faults, damage, defects, pests and diseases and must be prepared by a qualified arborist.
Work that's expected to have a significant impact on vegetation may need an arboricultural impact assessment.
What about street trees and a neighbour's tree?
Street trees and park trees belong to council. Council removes its own trees only as a last resort, and won't remove them for leaf, flower or seed drop, shading of pools or solar panels, better views, or overhead cables. You can apply for a permit to do minor pruning on a street tree yourself.
If a protected tree is on your neighbour's land, you can apply for a permit, but the owner generally needs to sign the application or give written consent. Disputes between neighbours go to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), not council. See neighbour trees in Queensland.
What happens if you remove a protected tree without a permit?
Penalties apply. Council can issue infringement notices for minor offences or take the matter to court, and it can require rehabilitation, restoration or compensation for the damaged vegetation and recover its costs. Council doesn't publish set fine amounts on its permit pages, and notes that penalties are subject to change by the Queensland Government.
Questions people ask
Can you cut down a tree in your own backyard in Brisbane?
Only if it isn't protected or an exemption applies. The most common exemption is a tree whose whole trunk is within 3 m of your occupied house on a block up to 4,000 m². Check your property report from council first, because many backyard trees are protected.
Do you need a permit to prune a tree in Brisbane?
Not for light maintenance pruning of most protected trees. You can remove up to 20% of the live foliage in any 12 months, spread evenly and pruned to AS 4373. Significant Landscape Trees need a permit for any work other than minor dead wood removal, and street trees need a permit for any pruning.
Can you remove a dead tree in Brisbane without a permit?
Only if it's an immediate and significant threat to people or property, such as a split trunk or a lean with lifting soil, and you send council photos within 10 business days. A dead tree that isn't an immediate danger isn't listed as exempt, so check with council.
How much does a tree removal permit cost in Brisbane?
Nothing. Brisbane City Council doesn't charge for permit applications to work on protected vegetation. You may still pay for an arborist report if council asks for one.
Will Brisbane City Council remove a tree on my property?
No. Council looks after trees on council land, like street trees and parks. Trees on private land are the owner's responsibility, so you hire a tree service once any permit is in place.
Sources
- Brisbane City Council: apply for a permit to work on protected vegetation
- Brisbane City Council: types of protected vegetation
- Brisbane City Council: vegetation local law
- Brisbane City Council: do I need a permit? (exemptions table, PDF)
- Queensland Government: what to do if a neighbour's tree is affecting you
General information only, not legal advice. Council rules change, so confirm with your council before work starts.