Before you schedule tree removal on your Adams County property, there is one question you need to answer first: does your municipality require a permit?
The answer is not the same for everyone in the county. Pennsylvania does not regulate private property tree removal at the state level. That means the rules depend entirely on where you live, whether you are in a borough like Gettysburg or Hanover, an unincorporated township, a historic district, or a development with HOA restrictions. Get it wrong and you could face fines, forced replanting requirements, or removal orders that cost more than the original job.
This guide breaks down exactly what Adams County homeowners need to know before any tree comes down.
Key Takeaways
- Pennsylvania has no statewide permit requirement for removing trees on private property in most circumstances.
- Permit rules are set at the municipal level, meaning requirements differ between boroughs, townships, and unincorporated areas across Adams County.
- Street trees and trees in the public right-of-way almost always require a permit, regardless of where you live.
- In Gettysburg Borough, no permit is required for private tree removal, but street trees are regulated by the Shade Tree Commission.
- In Hanover Borough, a permit is required before removing or doing significant work on any tree in or along a public street or right-of-way.
- Trees in wetlands, floodplains, conservation easements, or historic districts may require additional state or county approval beyond the local permit.
- Removing a regulated tree without a permit can result in fines, mandatory replacement costs, and legal liability.
- When in doubt, call your municipal office before any work begins.
Quick Reference: Do You Need a Permit in Adams County?
Use this as a starting point. Always verify with your specific municipality before scheduling work.
- Private tree on your property, rural or unincorporated township: Typically no permit required, but confirm with your township
- Street tree or tree in the public right-of-way: Permit almost always required, regardless of municipality
- Tree in Gettysburg Borough (street tree): Permit required through the Shade Tree Commission
- Tree in Gettysburg Borough (private property): No permit required under current borough ordinance
- Tree in Hanover Borough (street or right-of-way): Permit required through the Shade Tree Commission
- Tree in a historic district: Additional review may apply
- Tree in a wetland, floodplain, or conservation zone: State or county approvals may be required
- Tree on a property with active development or subdivision plans: Permit likely required as part of the land development process
- Tree on an HOA property or common area: Check your HOA governing documents
How Tree Removal Permits Work in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s state government does not regulate tree removal on private property for residential homeowners. There is no statewide permit, no statewide fee, and no statewide enforcement mechanism that applies to a homeowner cutting down a tree in their backyard.
What does exist at the state level applies primarily to commercial cutting of timber on public land, harvesting firewood from Fish and Boat Commission property, and logging operations, which require erosion and sedimentation plans under state environmental law. For private residential tree work, the relevant rules come entirely from your local municipality.
That means the permit situation for a homeowner in Gettysburg Borough can be completely different from a homeowner two miles away in Cumberland Township, which can be completely different again from someone in Littlestown Borough or McSherrystown Borough. Adams County has over a dozen municipalities, each with its own ordinances.
The consistent rule across virtually all of them is this: trees in the public right-of-way are a different category entirely. Once a tree or its branches enter public space, the municipality has jurisdiction, and a permit is almost always required for removal, significant pruning, or other major work.
Tree Removal Rules by Location in Adams County
Gettysburg Borough
Gettysburg Borough has an active Shade Tree Commission that oversees the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees within the borough. The Commission meets regularly, reviews permit applications, and approves or denies tree work in public spaces.
Under the Borough’s tree ordinance:
- A permit is required before any street tree is planted, removed, or significantly maintained
- No permit is required for the planting, maintenance, or removal of private trees on private property
- The Shade Tree Commission must approve or deny permit applications within 30 days of submission
- Property owners can be ordered in writing to remove a tree deemed dangerous to public welfare, and if they refuse, the Borough can remove it and charge the cost to the property owner
- Violations of the tree ordinance carry fines up to $600 per offense, with each day of continued violation constituting a separate offense
If you have a street tree in Gettysburg, or a tree whose branches extend into the public right-of-way, contact the Gettysburg Shade Tree Commission at the Municipal Building, 59 East High Street, before scheduling any work.
For private property trees in Gettysburg Borough: No permit is required, but if the tree poses a hazard, the Commission retains authority to require removal.
Hanover Borough
Hanover Borough, which straddles Adams and York counties, has operated a Shade Tree Commission since 1966 and was designated a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation in 2001.
Under Hanover Borough’s tree ordinance:
- A permit is required before any tree is planted or removed in or along any public street or right-of-way
- A permit is also required before any pruning, trimming, or care work is performed on trees in public streets
- Homeowners may use their own qualified tree service to perform permitted work, but the permit must be submitted and approved before work begins
- Tree topping of street trees is not permitted under any circumstances
- The Borough maintains all street trees through its Public Works Department
- Permit applications are processed through the Borough Office at 33 Frederick Street, Hanover
If you have a tree in or near the right-of-way in Hanover Borough, the permit process is straightforward but mandatory. Contact the Borough at 717-637-3877 or access the permit portal at hanoverboroughpa.gov before scheduling removal.
Unincorporated Townships and Rural Properties
For homeowners in the rural townships that make up most of Adams County’s land area, including townships like Straban, Butler, Cumberland, Mount Joy, Tyrone, and others, the situation is generally more permissive.
Most rural townships in Pennsylvania do not require permits for removing trees on private property. However, important exceptions apply:
- Logging operations on rural properties require an erosion and sedimentation control plan and compliance with Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, regardless of township ordinance
- Trees near streams, wetlands, or floodplains may be protected under state environmental regulations and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s permitting requirements
- Trees within conservation easements may be restricted from removal under the terms of the easement, and removing them could breach the easement agreement
- Land development projects that involve clearing trees typically require a grading and erosion control permit even in rural townships
- Some townships have their own specific ordinances that go beyond the general rural standard
The safest approach for any rural township homeowner is to call the township office before scheduling significant tree removal, particularly for large-scale clearing or trees near water features.
Historic Districts
Gettysburg’s historic character means that properties in or adjacent to designated historic districts may face additional review for any significant exterior changes, which can include the removal of mature trees that contribute to the historic streetscape.
If your property is within or adjacent to a historic district in Adams County, check with both the local municipality and the Adams County Office of Planning and Development before scheduling tree work. What would otherwise be a simple private removal could require an additional layer of approval.
When Permits Are Required Regardless of Location
Some situations trigger permit requirements no matter which Adams County municipality you are in.
Street trees and right-of-way trees are the clearest example. The strip of land between the road and your property line is typically municipal property or a dedicated right-of-way. Trees growing in this strip belong to the municipality, not you. You cannot remove, top, or significantly prune them without a permit, and in many cases, you cannot initiate that work yourself at all. The municipality’s Public Works department or Shade Tree Commission manages these trees.
Trees near utility lines require coordination with the utility company before any work begins. Met-Ed/FirstEnergy serves much of Adams County. For branches near power lines, call 1-800-545-7741 to be placed on their customer work list. Do not attempt to remove branches near live electrical lines independently.
Properties with active development plans have tree removal governed by the approved plan. Removing trees outside of what the plan authorizes can halt your project and trigger enforcement action.
Trees in wetlands or floodplains fall under state jurisdiction through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Removing trees in these areas without the appropriate Chapter 105 permit can result in significant penalties.
What Happens If You Remove a Regulated Tree Without a Permit
The consequences depend on the municipality and the circumstances, but they are worth taking seriously.
In Gettysburg Borough, removing a street tree without a permit can result in:
- Fines up to $600 per violation, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense
- An order to replace the removed tree at your expense
- Potential legal action if the removal caused damage to public infrastructure such as sidewalks
In Hanover Borough and other municipalities with active tree ordinances, similar enforcement mechanisms apply. The cost of replacing a large mature shade tree, the type that ordinances most often protect, can be substantial.
Beyond municipal enforcement, removing a tree without proper permits can also create complications with your homeowner’s insurance, affect property transactions if a title search reveals an outstanding violation, and create liability exposure if the unpermitted removal contributed to a neighboring property damage claim.
The simple rule: check before you cut.
5 Steps to Take Before Removing a Tree in Adams County
Following these steps protects you legally, keeps your project on schedule, and avoids costly surprises.
Step 1: Identify your municipality. Know whether your property falls within a borough, an incorporated township, or an unincorporated area. Your tax bill and deed will show this. The Adams County Assessment Office can also confirm your municipality.
Step 2: Call your municipal office. Ask directly whether tree removal on private property requires a permit, and whether the specific tree you want to remove is in the public right-of-way or on private land. Bring the tree’s approximate location, size, and species if you know them.
Step 3: Check for special restrictions. Ask whether your property is in a historic district, conservation zone, floodplain, or subject to a conservation easement. Each of these can add requirements beyond the standard municipal permit.
Step 4: Contact utility companies if branches are near lines. Never schedule removal or pruning near power lines without first contacting the utility company. This applies even when a permit is not required for the tree itself.
Step 5: Work with a licensed and insured tree service. In municipalities with permit requirements, a reputable tree service will be familiar with the process and can often assist with permit applications. In all municipalities, working with an insured contractor protects you from liability for worksite accidents.
A Note on HOA Rules in Adams County
If your property is in a planned community, townhome development, or any subdivision governed by a homeowners association, the HOA’s governing documents may impose tree removal restrictions that go beyond what the municipality requires.
Some HOAs in Adams County:
- Require written approval from an architectural review board before removing any tree above a certain size
- Prohibit removal of trees in common buffer areas even if they appear to be on your lot
- Specify approved species lists for replacement plantings after a tree is removed
- Impose fines for unapproved removal that are separate from any municipal enforcement
Review your HOA’s Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) before scheduling any tree work, and submit any required approval requests in writing so you have documentation.
