Inner West Council Tree Guidelines Made Simple - Copy - Duplicate - [#5026]

Thinking about pruning or removing a tree in the City of Sydney? Read this first.

If you’re located in Sydney CBD, Surry Hills, Redfern, Chippendale, Ultimo, Pyrmont, Glebe, Newtown, Erskineville, Alexandria, Waterloo, Zetland, Beaconsfield, Rosebery, Darlinghurst, Potts Point, Elizabeth Bay, Rushcutters Bay or Haymarket — this applies to you.

Tree work in the City of Sydney Council area is strictly regulated, and acting without the correct information can lead to fines or compliance action. In most cases, you will need council approval before removing a tree or carrying out significant pruning. This includes pruning more than 10% of a tree’s canopy, working on trees taller than 5 metres, or trees with a trunk diameter greater than 300mm measured at 1.4 metres above ground level.

There are limited situations where approval may not be required, such as minor pruning, removing dead wood, or dealing with very small trees. In emergency situations where a tree presents an immediate safety risk, action may also be taken. However, even in these cases, you are still responsible for proving that the work was justified, often requiring clear photos or a professional arborist assessment.

It’s important to understand that you cannot remove, damage, poison, or heavily prune protected trees without approval, and this includes trees located on private property. Trees on public land must never be interfered with. Penalties for non-compliance can be significant.

Trees are valuable assets that enhance property value, provide shade, and support the local environment. However, when not properly managed, they can also create issues such as blocking natural light, increasing energy costs, damaging structures, and causing safety risks or neighbour complaints. That’s why a proper assessment is essential before taking any action.

At Home Tree Services, we make the entire process simple, safe, and compliant. We provide professional tree pruning and removal, storm damage response, arborist reports for council applications, and full guidance through the City of Sydney approval process. Our team includes ISA-certified arborists trained through TAFE NSW, ensuring all work is carried out to the highest standard.

We offer free on-site inspections, clear and honest advice, fast and reliable service, and transparent pricing. Our goal is to help you avoid costly mistakes while protecting your property and staying fully compliant.

Call Fabiano: 0408 716 264