Do I need a permit to prune or remove a tree in Boroondara?

What is protected in Boroondara

Boroondara's Tree Protection Local Law 2024 protects two groups of trees on private land. A canopy tree is any tree with a trunk circumference of 110 cm or more measured 1.4 m above ground level, or 150 cm or more at ground level. Where a tree has several stems, the circumferences at 1.4 m are added together. A permit is required to remove a canopy tree even when it is dead or a recognised weed species.

The second group is the significant tree register, which lists more than a thousand trees, hedges and avenues across the municipality identified for their size, age, rarity, ecological value or cultural and historical significance. Trees on the register need a permit for pruning as well as removal, and for works within their tree protection zone.

The current law was adopted in May 2024 and strengthened the previous version: the measurement point moved to 1.4 m in line with Australian Standard AS 4970, replacement trees planted under a permit condition are protected in their own right, and penalties increased. Since September 2025 the Victorian planning scheme has added a further control across residential zones, requiring a planning permit to remove a canopy tree (over 5 m tall, trunk circumference over 0.5 m at 1.4 m, canopy at least 4 m across) within 6 m of the front boundary or 4.5 m of the rear boundary.

Rules and fees change. Check Boroondara's current page before relying on any figure here.

What you can do without a permit

Canopy trees can be pruned without a permit, provided the pruning is carried out to Australian Standard AS 4373 Pruning of Amenity Trees. Council recommends a qualified arborist for this work. Trees below the canopy tree threshold and not on the significant tree register are outside the Local Law entirely.

There is no size-based exemption for removal, and no exemption for dead trees or weed species: a canopy tree still needs a permit to come out. Where a tree or limb presents an immediate danger, contact Council before work starts so the situation is on record.

What an application needs

Tree works permit applications are lodged online with Boroondara. An application needs a site plan or aerial image showing where each tree stands, photographs of the tree and of any issue it is causing, and reports from any experts who have assessed those issues, which for a removal usually means an arborist report. A fee applies per application, with separate amounts for pruning a significant tree, removing a canopy or significant tree, and works within a tree's protection zone; the current schedule is on Council's page.

Council aims to give a decision within 10 business days unless it needs more information, and a permit stays valid for 12 months. Permits for removal commonly carry a replacement planting condition.

Where the council asks for an arborist report, LumberJord writes them: arborist reports for council permits.

What Jordan does about it

Jordan measures the trunk at 1.4 m during the quote, checks whether the tree is on the significant tree register, and tells you whether a permit applies. Pruning to AS 4373 on a canopy tree can be booked without paperwork; anything on the register or any removal goes through the permit first.

Where an application is needed he supplies the arborist report and photographs Council asks for, and schedules the work only once the permit has been issued.