Tree removal permits

Trees on private land in Hobsons Bay are protected in multiples ways. This page will help you to understand if you require a permit to remove or lop a tree on private property. 

There are two types of permits issued by Council for protected trees on private property.  

• Tree removal permit for significant trees protected by the Community Local Law.
• Planning permit for trees protected by Hobsons Bay's Planning Scheme 52.37 - Canopy Trees.

Read each section carefully - though a tree may be exempt from a planning permit requirement for canopy trees, if the trunk circumference is 110cm or greater, a Community Local Law permit for significant trees may be required. 

Planning permit for canopy trees

Clause 52.37 – Canopy Trees applies to all Victorian planning schemes. This clause requires a planning permit to remove, destroy or lop a canopy tree in specific circumstances. The requirement applies to all residential zones.

Purpose

• To protect and enhance canopy tree cover to support greener and cooler residential areas.
• To maximise the retention of existing canopy tree cover where no development is proposed.
• To ensure that development is designed to maximise the retention and long-term health of existing and new canopy trees and contributes to increasing canopy tree cover.
• To balance the retention of existing canopy trees and residential development to meet the housing needs of Victoria’s growing population.    
• To encourage canopy tree cover that is site and climate responsive and supports the local environment.

This means a planning permit is required to remove, destroy or lop a canopy tree.

'Canopy trees' have:

• a height of more than 5 metres above ground level; and
• a trunk circumference of more than 0.5 metres, measured at 1.4 metres above ground level; and
• a canopy diameter of at least 4 metres;

AND they are a boundary canopy tree, where their trunk is within; 

• 6 metres of the narrowest street frontage of a lot; or  
• 4.5 metres of the rear boundary of a lot.

Read Planning Scheme clause 52.37 Canopy trees in full.

To apply for a planning permit

1. Register or log on to Greenlight OPM - Applicant Portal
2. Go to ‘Home’
3. Click on ‘Planning Applications’

Before you make an application, you may wish to talk to a Council planner on 1300 179 944 to find out what kind of documentation may be required for the application to be assessed or to ask the planner whether the Council is likely to support the proposal.

Community Local Law for significant trees

Council’s Community Local Law 2025 requires people to obtain a permit before interfering with, removing, damaging, destroying or killing a significant tree on private land. This includes significant trees that overhang from one property to another. 

The Local Law also requires people to seek a permit before interfering with, removing, damaging or destroying a street tree or other vegetation located on any Council Land, including reserves and foreshore reserves.

Builders or property owners undertaking building works are also required to take steps to protect trees adjacent to their building sites. Click here for more information: Building Site Code of Practice 2025 

What is a significant tree?

A ‘significant tree’ means a tree or palm on private land that:

1. has a trunk circumference of 110cm or greater measured at 1.5 meters above ground level; or
2. is a multi-stemmed tree on private land where the circumference of its exterior stems equals or is greater than 110cm measured at 1.5 meters above ground level; or
3. if the tree has been removed, a circumference of 110cm or greater at its base or the circumference of multi-stems at its base.

Applies to:

• Any situation where a person wishes to remove, destroy, damage, interfere with or kill a significant tree located on land they own or occupy.
• Any situation where a person wishes to remove, destroy, damage, interfere with or kill a significant tree that overhangs land they own or occupy.
• Any tree or vegetation located on any Council Land, including parks, reserves and foreshore reserves.

How do I apply for a permit to remove a significant tree on my property?

1. Submit a permit application via the Hobsons Bay Permit Portal.
2. Make a payment of $137. The fee will be invoiced to you after an initial review of your application to check if a permit is required. We will send you an email notification when you are required to make payment. The fee covers administrative costs associated with assessment of an application.

Concession card holders are eligible for a 50% discount of the permit fee.

Please note:

• An application to remove a protected tree must be made by the property owner.

• Payment of the application fee does not guarantee that a permit will be issued. There are no additional costs, regardless of whether a permit is issued. Please allow 15 business days for an application to be reviewed.

To apply for a tree removal permit

1. Register or log on to Greenlight OPM - Applicant Portal
2. Go to ‘Home’
3. Click on ‘Tree Removal’

Before you make an application, you may wish to talk to our Arboriculture Team on 1300 179 944 to find out what kind of documentation may be required for the application to be assessed.

Tree protection FAQ