Clearing out trees on wooded lot (houses, neighborhoods, live in)

[Joelyso]

Some o the homes I looked at have a good amount of land but they are in the middle of a forest and the lot is almost entirely covered by trees. Can I start clearing out some space for a yard around the home or does that require a special permit? If it does, how difficult is it to get one and how expensive?

Thanks!

[Gerania]

That depends on location.

[Joelyso]

It seems like your right. I asked a realtor about one of the houses and he also said it depends on what the rules for the community are because they may have some uniformity policies to make sure one lot does not stand out too much from another. I'm guessing it might be different for houses outside of communities... but will ask for each one. Thanks.

[Gerania]

Neighborhoods and townships both have rules. I once lived in a neighborhood where I needed permission to take down trees. The township wanted to be informed, too.

[ChrisConley]

Originally Posted by Joelyso

Some o the homes I looked at have a good amount of land but they are in the middle of a forest and the lot is almost entirely covered by trees. Can I start clearing out some space for a yard around the home or does that require a special permit? If it does, how difficult is it to get one and how expensive?

Thanks!

I would take a ride down to your township office and ask. Code can vary 180 degrees from township to township so I can't even venture a guess.

[thecoalman]

Originally Posted by Gerania

Neighborhoods and townships both have rules. I once lived in a neighborhood where I needed permission to take down trees. The township wanted to be informed, too.

On the lot or the tree lawn? The only time I'm aware of needing a permit is if it's on a tree lawn. A lot of towns have that ordinance and you need to justify cutting it down usually in front of a "tree commission" that is clueless



Funny side story, a relative had tree business an this massive tree had fallen. This thing weighed like 50 ton, lady from the tree commission shows up and asks him if could could put it back up.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by thecoalman

On the lot or the tree lawn? The only time I'm aware of needing a permit is if it's on a tree lawn. A lot of towns have that ordinance and you need to justify cutting it down usually in front of a "tree commission" that is clueless

Funny side story, a relative had tree business an this massive tree had fallen. This thing weighed like 50 ton, lady from the tree commission shows up and asks him if could could put it back up.

The tree was in the yard. I don't remember if we needed a permit, but if we did it must have been cheap--or I'd remember. It was an accident waiting to happen, so we had no problem getting permission to take it down. I thought it was a bit weird, but the "tree people" told me that our area was an official buffer zone to a large preserved area.

[fisheye]

I have never had to worry; but I am pretty rural and don't live in a development. I have been cutting for the last week. It is wise to check with the township first.