Massachusetts Tree Removal Permits: Town-by-Town Guide

One of the most common questions homeowners ask us is: do I need a permit to cut down a tree on my own property in Massachusetts? The short answer is: it depends on your town, the tree's location, and sometimes its size. The long answer is this guide.

We are McDonald Tree Service, based in Billerica, MA, and we have been navigating Massachusetts tree regulations since 1995. We work in 13 towns across Middlesex County and the Merrimack Valley, and we know the rules in each one. Here is what you need to know before you pick up a chainsaw or hire a crew.

How Massachusetts Tree Regulations Work

Massachusetts does not have a single statewide law governing tree removal on private property. Instead, tree regulations come from multiple layers:

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 87 (The Shade Tree Act)

This is the foundation. It applies to every city and town in Massachusetts. Under Chapter 87, every municipality has a Tree Warden (appointed or elected) who is responsible for public shade trees. Public shade trees are trees within the public right-of-way, typically along roads and sidewalks.

Key rule: No public shade tree can be removed without Tree Warden approval and a public hearing with at least 7 days' notice. This applies in all 13 of our service towns. If the tree you want to remove is between the sidewalk and the road, or in a town-owned right-of-way, you need to go through this process.

The Wetlands Protection Act (MGL Chapter 131, Section 40)

This state law protects wetlands, rivers, streams, and ponds. It establishes a 100-foot buffer zone around most wetland resource areas and a 200-foot riverfront area along perennial streams and rivers. Tree removal within these buffer zones requires a filing with your town's Conservation Commission, either a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) or a full Notice of Intent (NOI).

This affects homeowners more often than people realize. If your property borders a pond, stream, wetland, or river, some or all of your trees may be within a regulated buffer zone. The Conservation Commission reviews proposed work and may impose conditions or deny the request.

Local Bylaws and Ordinances

This is where it gets town-specific. Some towns have minimal local regulations beyond state law. Others have their own tree bylaws that regulate removal on private property. Below we cover every town in our service area.

Town-by-Town Permit Guide

Billerica

Private property: No permit generally required for tree removal on private property unless the tree is within a wetland buffer zone. The Concord River corridor and areas around Nuttings Lake have 100-foot wetland buffers and a 25-foot no-disturb zone.

Public trees: Requires DPW and Tree Warden approval. Contact the Billerica DPW at (978) 671-0940 for public shade tree removal requests.

Scenic roads: Billerica has designated scenic roads where tree removal within the right-of-way requires Planning Board approval.

Typical timeline: If a Conservation Commission filing is needed, plan for 4 to 8 weeks for the hearing process.

Chelmsford

Private property: No permit generally required outside conservation areas. Heart Pond, Freeman Lake, and the Stony Brook floodplain have protected wetland buffer zones where Conservation Commission review is required.

Public trees: Tree Warden approval and public hearing required.

Scenic roads: Chelmsford has scenic road designations that protect roadside trees and require Planning Board approval for removal within the right-of-way.

Note: Chelmsford's Conservation Commission is active and responsive. If you are anywhere near a waterbody, check before you cut.

Lowell

Private property: No general permit required. However, properties near the Merrimack River have a 200-foot riverfront buffer zone where Conservation Commission review is needed. The Concord River corridor has similar protections.

Historic districts: Trees within or adjacent to the Lowell National Historical Park and local historic districts may have additional protections. The Lowell Historic Board may require coordination.

Public trees: The Parks and Cemetery Division manages public trees. City Tree Warden approval required. Lowell operates under a city tree ordinance in addition to MGL Chapter 87.

Tewksbury

Private property: No general permit required outside wetland buffer zones. The Shawsheen River corridor and Long Pond area are protected under the Wetlands Protection Act with 100-foot buffer zones.

Public trees: DPW and Tree Warden approval required.

Conservation land: Several parcels in Tewksbury carry conservation restrictions that limit tree cutting even on private land. If your deed references a conservation restriction, check before proceeding.

Wilmington

Private property: No general permit required. The Ipswich River headwaters, Maple Meadow Brook, and associated wetlands have protected buffer zones.

Public trees: Tree Warden approval required.

Scenic roads and Silver Lake: Wilmington has scenic road protections, and the area around Silver Lake has conservation restrictions on adjacent properties.

Burlington

Private property: No general permit required. Vine Brook, Mill Pond, and the wetland systems near Mary Cummings Park are regulated with 100-foot buffer zones.

Public trees: Tree Warden approval and public hearing required.

New development: Burlington's zoning bylaws include tree preservation requirements for new development projects. The Planning Board may require replacement plantings when significant trees are removed during site plan review.

Bedford

Private property: Bedford has a Tree Preservation bylaw. Removal of trees over 10 inches in diameter may require Planning Board review in certain zones. This is stricter than most neighboring towns and catches many homeowners off guard.

Wetlands: The Shawsheen River and its tributaries are protected. Properties near the Minuteman National Historical Park may face additional federal and local historic preservation restrictions.

Conservation Commission: Particularly active in Bedford. If your property borders town-owned conservation land, expect a thorough review process.

Typical timeline: Planning Board review can add 2 to 4 weeks beyond the standard process.

Carlisle

Private property: Carlisle is one of the most conservation-oriented towns in Massachusetts. Many properties carry permanent conservation restrictions that limit tree removal even on private land. The 2-acre minimum lot size means most properties are adjacent to wetlands or protected areas.

Scenic roads: Extensive scenic road designations require Planning Board approval for any tree removal along designated roadways. Carlisle has more scenic road mileage per capita than almost any town in the area.

Wetlands: The numerous streams, wetlands, and cranberry bogs create 100-foot buffer zones across large portions of town. The Conservation Commission reviews all work within these zones.

Advice: In Carlisle, always check before you cut. Call us and we will help you determine what permits, if any, are needed for your specific property.

Dracut

Private property: No general permit required outside buffer zones. The Merrimack River corridor has a 200-foot riverfront buffer, and Long Pond and local streams have 100-foot wetland buffers.

Public trees: Tree Warden approval required.

State forest: Properties near Dracut State Forest may have additional restrictions related to state forest management plans.

Westford

Private property: No general permit required, but the Conservation Commission is particularly active. Work within 100 feet of the Stony Brook watershed, Nashoba Brook, or associated floodplains requires review.

Public trees: Tree Warden approval required.

Scenic roads and open space: Westford has scenic road bylaws protecting tree-lined roadways. The town's open space plan includes conservation restrictions on numerous parcels where tree removal is limited without Conservation Commission approval.

Andover

Private property: No general permit required, but Andover (in Essex County) has one of the more stringent conservation frameworks in the Merrimack Valley. The town has a local Wetlands Protection Bylaw that extends protections beyond the state act.

Historic districts: Tree work in Andover's historic districts may require Historic Commission review in addition to standard Conservation Commission filings.

Wetlands: The Shawsheen River, Fish Brook, and the extensive wetland systems near Harold Parker State Forest are all regulated. The 100-foot buffer zone applies broadly across the eastern and southern parts of town.

Woburn

Private property: No general permit required outside conservation areas. The Horn Pond conservation area and its surrounding wetlands have a 100-foot buffer zone where Conservation Commission review is required.

Public trees: Tree Warden approval and public hearing required.

Zoning: Woburn enforces tree-related provisions in its zoning ordinances. The Conservation Commission is active in reviewing work near the Aberjona River, Horn Pond Brook, and associated wetlands.

Lexington

Private property: Lexington has one of the strongest Tree Bylaws in Massachusetts. Removal of any tree over 12 inches in diameter on private property requires a permit and Tree Warden review. This applies town-wide, not just in certain zones. The bylaw also includes provisions for replacement plantings.

Historic districts: Trees in the Battle Green Historic District and along Battle Road near the Minuteman National Historical Park have additional protections under the Historic Districts Act.

Conservation Commission: One of the most active in the state. Vine Brook and the Shawsheen River headwaters are regulated.

Advice: If you live in Lexington and want to remove a tree of any significant size, call us first. We know the process and will handle the paperwork.

How McDonald Tree Service Helps with Permits

We handle permit coordination for our clients at no extra charge. Here is what that looks like:

1. Assessment: We come out, look at the tree, and determine if any permits or filings are needed based on the tree's location, your town's regulations, and the specifics of your property.
2. Filing: If a Conservation Commission filing or Tree Warden notification is needed, we prepare the paperwork and submit it on your behalf.
3. Hearing: If a public hearing is required, we attend it with you or represent the project on your behalf.
4. Execution: Once approved, we do the work exactly as specified in the permit conditions, including any required erosion controls or replacement plantings.

We have been through this process hundreds of times across all 13 of our service towns. We know which Conservation Commissions want what paperwork, which Tree Wardens respond fastest, and how to get your project approved without unnecessary delays.

What Happens If You Cut a Tree Without a Permit?

Cutting a tree that requires a permit without getting one can result in serious consequences:

• Public shade tree violation (MGL Chapter 87): Fines of up to 3 times the assessed value of the tree. A mature oak can be assessed at $5,000 to $30,000+.
• Wetlands Protection Act violation: Penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, plus restoration costs that can run tens of thousands of dollars.
• Local bylaw violations: Fines vary by town. Required replacement plantings of 2 to 3 trees for every tree removed are common.

It is not worth the risk. A few weeks of waiting for proper permits is far better than a $25,000 fine and a requirement to replant three trees for every one you took down.

If you are unsure whether you need a permit, call us at (978) 375-2272. We will come out, assess the situation, and give you a straight answer. Free, no obligation.