Tree removal
Dead pines, leaning water oaks and big trees close to the house, taken down in sections when space is tight.
Tree removal in Wilmington NCCheck before you cut
Last checked: 2026-10-02. Rules change. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Confirm with the city or county before cutting.
Short answer: inside City of Wilmington limits, you need a tree removal permit for trees in the public right-of-way, for trees 4 inches DBH (diameter at breast height) or larger on non-residential lots, residential lots over 1 acre, or in conservation buffers, and for any tree in a local historic district. Permits cost $25 to $150 depending on lot size. The city's advice is simple: call before you cut, at 910-254-0900 or zoning@wilmingtonnc.gov.
City of Wilmington: when a permit is required
According to the City of Wilmington's Tree Removal page, a permit is required to remove:
- Any tree in the public right-of-way, regardless of size. Right-of-way trees are handled through the city's Parks and Recreation tree maintenance staff.
- Trees 4 inches DBH or larger on non-residential lots, on residential lots larger than 1 acre, or within a conservation resource setback or buffer.
- Any tree in a local historic district, regardless of size. A Certificate of Appropriateness is also required.
From the official source
Applications go through the city's online Development Services portal, linked from the Tree Removal page.
The 1-acre single-family exemption
From the official source
Land Development Code Sec. 18-315(D)(2) exempts lots of 1 acre or less that are zoned for and developed with (or permitted for) a detached single-family home from the code's landscaping and tree division. Lots in a conservation resource area are not exempt. You may see "2 acres" on older or third-party sites. That figure comes from the old Chapter 18 and is not the current rule.
Regulated, significant and specimen trees
Where the city rules apply, the LDC sorts trees by species and trunk diameter (Table 18-316.1):
| Category | Size thresholds (DBH) |
|---|---|
| Regulated | Dogwoods, magnolias, other ornamental flowering trees and American hollies 4"+; hardwoods, longleaf, pond and black pine and non-pine conifers 8"+; other pines 12"+ |
| Significant | Flowering/ornamental trees and American hollies 8"+; hardwoods, longleaf, pond and black pine and non-pine conifers 18"+; other pines 24"+ |
| Specimen | Live oak, pond cypress, bald cypress or longleaf pine 24"+ |
Under Sec. 18-316(C), protected trees may be removed only if essential site improvements can't be accommodated elsewhere on the site, and cost is not a valid reason. Specimen trees can be removed only with a Board of Adjustment variance, except in the industrial (IND) district. Significant and specimen trees are mitigated at 200% (2 caliper inches planted per inch removed). If you have a large live oak, call city zoning at 910-254-0900 before cutting, even on a small lot.
Dead trees and storms
Mitigation may be waived for trees that are dead, dying or more than 50% damaged or diseased from natural causes, and no mitigation is due for a tree killed or badly damaged in a natural disaster (unless needed to meet minimum planting). After a hurricane, tornado or flood, the city manager may waive the tree rules in writing for a reasonable time, and a hazardous tree that immediately endangers the public may come down without a permit. Take photos first.
Fees and penalties (City of Wilmington)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Permit, private property under 1 acre | $25 |
| Permit, 1 to 5 acres | $50 |
| Permit, 5 to 10 acres | $100 |
| Permit, over 10 acres | $150 |
| Mitigation (when required) | $175 per caliper inch |
| Removal without a required permit | $150 per inch DBH or $1,200 per tree, whichever is greater, plus mitigation |
For how these fit into the total bill, see tree removal prices in Wilmington.
Unincorporated New Hanover County
If your property is outside Wilmington city limits and outside the beach towns, New Hanover County's Unified Development Ordinance applies. The county requires a tree removal permit to remove a regulated tree unless an exemption applies. Section 5.3 (Tree Retention) exempts, among other things:
- Any lot of record under 1 acre in a residential zoning district.
- Residential lots under 1 acre shown on an approved preliminary plan.
- Residential subdivisions of 5 or fewer lots, with some exceptions.
- Trees more than 50% dead, dying or diseased from natural causes.
- Land in present-use-value forestry, and forestry under a registered forester's plan.
Where the rules do apply, the county regulates trees by size and type. Table 5.3.4.A lists, for example, regulated sizes starting at 4 inches DBH for dogwood and American holly, 8 inches for longleaf pine, cypress and hardwoods, and 12 inches for other conifers. The county's specimen trees are live oaks and bald or pond cypress of 36 inches DBH or more (longleaf pine is not on the county list); removing one needs a variance, and removing one without a permit carries a penalty of twice the mitigation fee. The county tree removal permit application is filed through the COAST portal and lists a $45 application fee. The county's own FAQ adds that "protected trees, especially Live Oaks, may require permits before removal." Questions: New Hanover County Planning & Land Use, 910-798-7165 (COAST permit help: 910-798-7308, option 1).
Beach towns and other jurisdictions
Check before you cut
Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Kure Beach have their own codes, which we have not summarized here. Call the town planning or zoning office. Trees along state roads fall under NCDOT. For Brunswick and Pender County towns, see our Southport, Oak Island, Leland and Hampstead pages.
Clearing land? Land disturbance permits
If you are clearing more than tree-by-tree, the sediment and erosion control rules can matter more than the tree rules. North Carolina law (G.S. 113A-57) requires an approved erosion and sedimentation control plan before disturbing more than one acre. New Hanover County runs the local program for the unincorporated county and the City of Wilmington (not Carolina Beach, Kure Beach or Wrightsville Beach). The county ordinance is worded "an acre, or more than one acre", and smaller jobs that are part of a common plan of development can also need a permit, so if you are near an acre, check with New Hanover County Engineering (910-798-7139). In Brunswick and Pender counties, plans go to NC DEQ's Wilmington Regional Office. Also, in the city, any needed tree removal permit must come before the erosion control or building permit. The county lists a $200 base (plan) fee plus $300 per acre, and fines of up to $5,000 per day for violations. More on land clearing and lot development.
HOAs
Check before you cut
Homeowner association covenants are separate from city and county law and can be stricter. If you live in a planned community, check its architectural approval rules too.
What to do with the wood: City of Wilmington yard waste
- Yard waste is collected on your trash day. Set it out after noon the day before and by 6 a.m.
- Limbs no longer than 4 feet and no thicker than 6 inches, in one neat pile next to your carts, up to 7 cubic yards.
- Loose material in paper bags, boxes or 35-gallon containers under 50 pounds.
- Not collected: palm trunks, root balls or stumps, dirt, bricks and concrete. The city's yard waste guide says debris from independent contractors or tree services will not be collected; the contractor must dispose of it. Violations can bring a $50 per day civil fine.
- Households without city trash service don't get city yard waste pickup.
Good to know
So for most removals, the debris should leave with the crew.
Before you cut: a quick checklist
- Are you inside city limits, the county, or a beach town? Check your tax bill or the county GIS.
- Is the tree in the right-of-way, a historic district, a buffer, or on a lot over 1 acre?
- Is it a large live oak or other possible specimen tree?
- Does your HOA need to approve it?
- If in doubt, call city zoning (910-254-0900) or county planning (910-798-7165).
If you want an expert opinion on whether a tree is hazardous, see our Wilmington arborist page. When you're cleared to go ahead, read about permitted tree removal in Wilmington NC.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in Wilmington?
Inside City of Wilmington limits, you need a permit for any tree in the public right-of-way, and for trees 4 inches DBH or larger on non-residential lots, on residential lots over 1 acre, or in a conservation resource setback or buffer. Any tree in a local historic district needs one regardless of size. Many trees on ordinary house lots under an acre fall outside those categories, but the city asks you to call before you cut.
How much is a tree removal permit in Wilmington?
The city lists $25 for private property under 1 acre, $50 for 1 to 5 acres, $100 for 5 to 10 acres, and $150 over 10 acres. Mitigation, when required, is $175 per caliper inch.
What is the fine for cutting a protected tree without a permit?
The City of Wilmington lists $150 per inch DBH or $1,200 per tree, whichever is greater, plus mitigation.
Can I remove a tree because it is too expensive to build around?
Not in the city. The Land Development Code says protected trees can be removed only when essential site components cannot be placed elsewhere on the site, and cost alone is not a valid reason.
I live in unincorporated New Hanover County. Do the same rules apply?
No. The county has its own tree retention rules in UDO Section 5.3. Lots of record under 1 acre in residential zoning districts are exempt, among other exemptions. On larger lots and development sites, removing a regulated tree generally needs a county tree removal permit.
