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10/50 Tree Removal Legislation

Remove trees without a Council Permit…

10/50 rules are in place to give land owners permission to remove vegetation without local government clearance. If the property occurs in a designated bushfire zone and it meets the criteria, you’re allowed to remove it.

Question is, how can you tell if your tree fits the requirements?

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What is the 10-50 Rule and is my Building Covered?

The 10/50 rule allows you to clear trees on your property within 10 metres of your home or clear underlying vegetation (like shrubs) on your property within 50 metres of your home – without seeking approval.

A building is classed as anything with a habitable room and can include homes and visitors accommodation buildings, manufactured homes, caravans within parks, tourist rooms, child care centres, hospitals, and schools.

The 10/50 rule requires a measurement of 10 to 50 meters from the external walls of the building in question. You can even measure from permanent decks or garages that are connected to the building (provided they’re permanent!) – but detached structures including decks and garages are not included.

The measurement begins with rooms that are approved as habitable rooms through development consent or any other legally-recognized authority. If the building was constructed without the consent of these bodies, then, unfortunately, they’re not recognized by law and the 10/50 rule doesn’t apply.

What Classes as a Tree in the 10/50 Rule?

The 10/50 rule allows you to clear trees on your property within 10 metres of your home or clear underlying vegetation (like shrubs) on your property within 50 metres of your home – without seeking approval.

A building is classed as anything with a habitable room and can include homes and visitors accommodation buildings, manufactured homes, caravans within parks, tourist rooms, child care centres, hospitals, and schools.

The 10/50 rule requires a measurement of 10 to 50 meters from the external walls of the building in question. You can even measure from permanent decks or garages that are connected to the building (provided they’re permanent!) – but detached structures including decks and garages are not included.

The measurement begins with rooms that are approved as habitable rooms through development consent or any other legally-recognized authority. If the building was constructed without the consent of these bodies, then, unfortunately, they’re not recognized by law and the 10/50 rule doesn’t apply.

Other Considerations…

Land on a slope is not covered under the 10/50 rule because of the level of erosion within these lands. Trees are essential in holding the soil together – so vegetation should not be cut for properties that are within slopes greater than 18 degrees without approval.

If you’ve leased your property or rented a property, the 10/50 rule does not apply. Unless you’re the landowner or have received directives from the land owner, you can’t apply the 10/50 rule.

There are no restrictions on clearing methods – but you can’t do anything that will interfere with the soil profile. Bulldozers, graders and ploughs are not allowed during clearing (and neither is burning!) You can only cut down trees.

If the vegetation exists within 10 meters of a prescribed stream, the 10/50 rule does not apply. You’re not allowed to clear vegetation within a heritage property, either. You can use an online tool to assess whether your property lies in these conditions.

In NSW, new laws have been instituted to help people prepare their homes for bushfires. An online tool has been developed to help you assess whether property is within the required 10/50 rule area.

Code of Practice

What Happens Next?

If you’re considering removing a tree around your property, we recommend working with expert arborists (like Shane’s Trees!) Whether you’re worried about safety requirements, neighbour concerns, council red tape or something else – partnering with someone who knows exactly what they’re doing is the only way to go.

With more than 35 years of experience, Shane’s Trees is comfortable and confident in delivering all kinds of tree services – and we’ll make sure you’ve got all bases covered before getting started with your project (including the 10/50 rule!)

Complimentary Quick Quote
Call us now
(02) 9528 4507
0422 927 381
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