Permits
Permits
Usually no. Sometimes very much yes.
For a tree on private residential property in most of Central Kentucky, the answer is generally no. The exceptions are narrower than people fear but more common than people expect, and the cost of getting it wrong falls on the property owner rather than the contractor.
When a permit is usually not needed
A tree wholly on your own private residential property, not in a public right-of-way, not covered by a recorded easement or an HOA agreement, and not part of a development plan condition. That covers the large majority of homeowner removals.
When you should check first
- Right-of-way trees — the strip between sidewalk and street is frequently public even though you mow it
- Easements — utility, drainage, and access easements can carry restrictions
- HOA covenants — many subdivisions require approval to remove significant trees
- Historic districts — some have landscape provisions alongside building ones
- Commercial sites — tree preservation is often a condition of an approved development plan
- Riparian and floodplain areas — work near a stream or in a floodplain can trigger review
- Conservation easements — common on rural acreage and frequently forgotten by later owners
Who to ask
Permitting is local, so the answer depends on whether you are inside a city limit or in the county. For Frankfort that is the city; elsewhere it is Franklin County or the relevant county for the towns we serve. A phone call is usually enough to settle it.
If the tree is in a right-of-way, the road department or the city arborist is the right first call rather than a tree company.
The commercial-site trap
On commercial and multi-family property, trees are frequently shown on an approved landscape or development plan, and removing them can put the site out of compliance — sometimes discovered years later at a sale or a permit application.
Check the approved plan before removing anything on a commercial site, even a tree that looks incidental.
Common questions
Kentucky’s statutes are published in full by the Legislative Research Commission.
Do I need a permit for a tree in my own back yard?
In most of Central Kentucky, for a normal residential lot, no. Check if you are in an HOA, a historic district, or near an easement.
What about the tree between the sidewalk and the street?
That is frequently in the public right-of-way even though you maintain it. Ask the city or county before removing it.
Does my HOA count?
Legally it is a covenant rather than a permit, and it can still cost you. Check the covenants before scheduling.
Will you check for me?
We will tell you when a situation looks like it needs checking and point you at the right office, but confirming it is the property owner’s call to make.
Related: tree removal · full FAQ · commercial tree service. Back to Frankfort Tree Pros.
Frankfort Tree Pros · Serving Frankfort, Georgetown, Versailles, Lawrenceburg & Franklin County, KY · Call or text (859) 310-1209
Last updated August 2026