Huntsville tree rules: city trees, permits and power lines
Most trees on your own lot are yours to remove or trim. The exceptions are trees the city owns, trees near power lines, and HOA rules. Here is who handles what in Huntsville and Madison County.
Trees on your own lot
For a tree on your own residential lot, Huntsville generally does not require a permit to remove or trim it. Check two things first: whether the tree is actually yours, and whether your HOA requires approval for large trees. Many Huntsville, Madison and Harvest subdivisions do.
Trees the city owns
The City of Huntsville's Urban Forestry and Horticulture division manages public trees, including trees on city property and in the public right-of-way, often the strip between the sidewalk and the street. The city's arborist evaluates those trees, and anyone who wants a right-of-way tree removed goes through the arborist's office for a tree removal permit.
- Report a problem city tree: use Huntsville Connect (the city's service request system) or the SeeClickFix app.
- Landscape Management office: 256-564-8030, weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Not sure where your property line is? Your plat or the county's property maps show it, and a tree crew can usually tell you when they come out to quote.
Trees near power lines
Trees touching or growing into power lines are handled by the utility, not a general tree crew. The City of Huntsville works with Huntsville Utilities to decide whether a tree falls under the city or the utility's line clearance. If a tree or limb is on a line, stay back and call your power provider.
Madison and the rest of the county
- City of Madison: no permit for a tree on an established residential lot; tree rules apply to development and land clearing. See tree removal in Madison.
- Unincorporated Madison County (Harvest, Hazel Green, Meridianville, New Market and more): no county tree permit for a tree on your own land.
- Owens Cross Roads has its own city government; call City Hall about trees near the street.
Before any big job: call 811
Stump grinding and some removals disturb the ground. Call Alabama 811 a few days ahead so buried utility lines get marked. It's free.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Huntsville?
Generally not for a tree on your own residential lot. Trees on city property or in the public right-of-way are managed by the city, and removing one goes through the city arborist's office for a permit. Check HOA rules too.
Who do I call about a city tree in Huntsville?
Report it through Huntsville Connect or the SeeClickFix app, or call the city's Landscape Management office at 256-564-8030 on weekdays.
Who trims trees near power lines in Huntsville?
The utility handles line clearance. The City of Huntsville works with Huntsville Utilities to decide whether a tree is the city's or the utility's responsibility.