Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Perth?

It depends on your local government. If the tree is on the verge, listed as significant, or covered by a retention condition, approval is still required. Health status does not exempt the tree from the process, but a report confirming the tree is dead or hazardous normally moves the review faster.

How long does a tree removal permit take?

Plan for two to six weeks across most Perth local governments. Straightforward removals with a clear arborist report move at the faster end. Reviews tied to a larger development or conservation easement take longer.

What does the council want in an arborist report?

Species, height, trunk diameter, canopy spread, health and structure findings, the reason for removal, and the retention options considered. A Diploma-qualified consulting arborist signs it.

Can I prune a protected tree without a permit?

Light deadwooding and standard maintenance pruning are usually allowed. Removing major limbs from a protected tree can require review. Call us and we will check the current rule for your address.

What if a storm drops the tree tonight?

Clear the immediate danger, photograph everything first, then report the removal to your council the next business day. We write the emergency documentation insurers and councils accept, including for major winter storm cleanup.

Home › Tree removal permits

Perth tree removal permits, explained.

Every Perth local government applies its own tree rules. This guide shows what triggers a permit, what you submit, and how we handle the paperwork for you.

Jurisdiction by jurisdiction

What triggers a tree permit in your area

Local departments review these standards regularly, so treat the table as a starting point. We confirm the current rule for your exact address before we quote the work.

City of Perth / Town of Victoria Park

Permit trigger: Street and verge trees are council assets, and inner-city development approvals carry canopy retention conditions on any tree shown on the site plan.
What you submit: Tree removal or verge tree application through the council's parks or planning team, with a site plan showing trunk location and diameter at breast height.

Verge and street trees stay with the council. Call the parks team before anything near the verge is touched.

City of Fremantle

Permit trigger: Trees listed on the significant tree register, verge trees, and trees identified for retention in a development approval.
What you submit: Application to the City with an arborist assessment covering species, DBH, health and structure, plus a replacement planting proposal.

Heritage precinct controls sit on top of the tree rules, so the assessment usually goes to two teams.

City of Stirling (Mount Lawley, Scarborough)

Permit trigger: Verge and street trees, plus canopy retention conditions applied through the local planning scheme on subdivision and infill approvals.
What you submit: Verge tree or development-linked tree application with photos, a site plan and an arborist report for larger trees.

Coastal foreshore vegetation near Scarborough carries additional environmental protection.

City of Kalamunda / City of Armadale

Permit trigger: Native vegetation clearing in the Darling Scarp and rural-zoned land, where state clearing rules apply alongside the local scheme.
What you submit: Clearing assessment or exemption check, supported by an arborist or environmental report where remnant vegetation is involved.

Firebreak and bushfire fuel-reduction obligations run alongside the clearing rules, so we check both together.

City of Joondalup / City of Rockingham

Permit trigger: Verge and street trees, and remnant bushland or tuart stands adjoining reserves such as Yellagonga and Lake Richmond.
What you submit: Tree removal application through the council, with an arborist report addressing health, structure and retention value.

Replacement planting is a common condition here even when the removal is approved.

We lodge the application for you

You do not have to read a local law or fight a form. Our consulting arborist inspects the tree, writes the report, lodges the application and answers the assessing officer directly.

Ask about your permit Use the council rules finder See arborist reports

1We inspect the tree, measure the trunk diameter and record the species and condition.
2We check your address against your local government's tree local law, verge tree rules and any strata by-law.
3We write the arborist report your council asks for, with photos and a retention assessment.
4We lodge the application, answer the assessing officer's questions and track the decision.
5Once approval is granted, we book the crew and complete any replacement planting condition.

Bring these to the inspection

Your address and lot size, so we can check your council's tree local law threshold
Photos of the tree, the trunk base and anything it threatens
Any council notice, compliance letter or strata notice you have received
Your insurer's claim number if storm damage is involved

Genuinely local, fully covered

Real crew, real address in Perth

Callum Rhodes started the crew in 2011 and still signs off every arborist report. Call the office, ask for the certificates, and book with confidence.

Where we work from: Arborist PerthPerth, WA, Australia
Talk to an arborist: Request a callbackhello@arboristperth.com
When we answer: Mon to Sat, 7am to 6pmStorm and emergency calls, 24 hours
Cover we carry: $20 million public liability insuredWorkCover WA workers' compensation cover

Tickets and licenses we hold

Certificate III in Arboriculture (AHC30820). The industry benchmark for climbing, rigging, pruning and removal work
Diploma of Arboriculture (AQF 5). Held by the consulting arborist who writes your arb report
AS 4373 pruning of amenity trees. Every cut follows the Australian pruning standard
AS 4970 tree protection on development sites. Applied on every DA and construction job, including the 2025 update
Certificate III qualified arborist. International credential held on top of the local baseline
WorkSafe WA and Safe Work Australia compliant. Documented job briefings, rigging checks and PPE on every site
Licensed green waste disposal and recycling. Chip and timber taken to a licensed green waste recycling facility

ABN: on your quote and invoice
Waste hauling permit: on request
Liability policy: certificate emailed with your quote
Service area: Perth, WA

Check it yourself

We email the current certificates of currency with every quote, and we send them to your building manager or insurer on request.

Check our credentials Read our licenses Request a callback

Questions

Permit questions from Perth owners

The five questions we answer on nearly every permit call.

Do I need a permit to remove a dead tree in Perth?: It depends on your local government. If the tree is on the verge, listed as significant, or covered by a retention condition, approval is still required. Health status does not exempt the tree from the process, but a report confirming the tree is dead or hazardous normally moves the review faster.
How long does a tree removal permit take?: Plan for two to six weeks across most Perth local governments. Straightforward removals with a clear arborist report move at the faster end. Reviews tied to a larger development or conservation easement take longer.
What does the council want in an arborist report?: Species, height, trunk diameter, canopy spread, health and structure findings, the reason for removal, and the retention options considered. A Diploma-qualified consulting arborist signs it.
Can I prune a protected tree without a permit?: Light deadwooding and standard maintenance pruning are usually allowed. Removing major limbs from a protected tree can require review. Call us and we will check the current rule for your address.
What if a storm drops the tree tonight?: Clear the immediate danger, photograph everything first, then report the removal to your council the next business day. We write the emergency documentation insurers and councils accept, including for major winter storm cleanup.

Step 2 · Tell us about the job

Find out if your tree needs a permit

Send your address and a photo. We check your council's tree local law and tell you what your council will ask for.