Gold Coast Council Tree Removal Permits

Do you need a permit?

Council approval is required to damage or remove protected vegetation on the Gold Coast. Whether your tree is protected comes down to its size, its location, the species and how close it sits to your house or other structures.

You will need a permit if any of these apply

• The vegetation is greater than 4 metres in height
• The vegetation is equal to or in excess of 40 centimetres in girth, measured 1.4 metres above ground level
• It is remnant vegetation or its native under-storey as identified on the Vegetation Management Overlay Map
• It is disturbed, re-growth or wetland vegetation and its native under-storey identified on that same overlay map

Work that is usually accepted development

Some vegetation work does not require an application for Operational Works. The checklist council applies covers situations including:

• Work covered by a previously approved landscape plan over your property
• Vegetation along an existing property boundary fence, or a proposed new fence
• Vegetation close to a building, or close to a pool fence
• Vegetation that is part of the native under-storey
• Vegetation interfering with the lawful operation of an established agricultural or animal husbandry business
• Trees that are genuinely hazardous or dangerous
• Vegetation that fits within the pest species definition

Important: clearing must not harm native wildlife. Where native wildlife is present in vegetation due for removal, a licensed spotter catcher should be engaged to oversee the works. We arrange this as part of the job.