Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Murfreesboro, TN?

Before you schedule a tree removal in Murfreesboro or anywhere in Rutherford County, it’s worth knowing whether a permit is required. Tennessee’s tree regulations involve several layers — municipal ordinances, county rules, and HOA covenants — and they don’t always line up. Getting this wrong can result in fines, required replanting, or a stop-work order on a construction project.

The short version: many private residential tree removals in unincorporated Rutherford County do not require a permit, but the City of Murfreesboro has a Tree Preservation Ordinance with real teeth — especially for street trees, right-of-way trees, and trees tied to development. HOA requirements add another layer worth understanding before you proceed.

Tree Removal on Private Property: The Baseline

For trees located entirely on private residential property in unincorporated Rutherford County — not in a right-of-way, not tied to a development permit — county regulations generally do not require a permit to remove an individual tree. Property owners have broad rights to manage vegetation on their own land.

However, this baseline changes significantly once you’re inside Murfreesboro city limits, or Smyrna or La Vergne, each of which has its own municipal code. And it changes again if the tree is a street tree, sits in a right-of-way, or is part of a project that requires a building or land-disturbance permit.

City of Murfreesboro Tree Preservation Ordinance

The City of Murfreesboro maintains a Tree Preservation Ordinance (found in the city code’s tree management chapter) that governs the planting, maintenance, and removal of trees within the city. Key provisions that affect homeowners:

Street trees and right-of-way trees are city-managed. Trees in the public right-of-way — including street trees between the sidewalk and the curb — are managed by the city and cannot be removed by residents without authorization. The city operates a Tree Work Permit process and a tree removal program for these situations.

Protected, heritage, and large trees. The ordinance gives the city authority to regulate the removal of large, protected, or heritage trees, and a Tree Work Permit may be required for certain tree work, particularly in public areas or near public spaces and utility easements. Size thresholds and specific rules matter here.

Development and land-disturbance activities. If you’re removing trees as part of new construction, a subdivision, a commercial project, or land clearing that requires a permit, Murfreesboro’s tree preservation and mitigation requirements can apply. These rules may require you to account for removed trees and to replace them or contribute to a tree fund. Given Murfreesboro’s rapid development, this is one of the most common places the ordinance comes into play.

When in doubt, contact the City of Murfreesboro’s Urban Environmental Department (which oversees the city’s tree program and Tree Work Permits) — or check the city’s official website — before removing any street or right-of-way tree, any unusually large tree, or any tree tied to a construction project. Ordinances change, so verify current rules directly.

Unincorporated Rutherford County

For properties outside city limits in unincorporated Rutherford County, routine single-tree removals on standard residential lots typically do not require a permit. County regulations focus more on land development, grading, and stormwater than on individual residential tree removals.

That said, if your removal is part of a larger land-disturbance or development project, or if the tree sits in a county right-of-way or a recorded easement, county and utility rules may apply. For guidance, contact Rutherford County’s planning or building department.

Smyrna and La Vergne

If your property is inside the town of Smyrna or the city of La Vergne rather than Murfreesboro or unincorporated county, that municipality’s own code applies — not Murfreesboro’s. Both towns have their own landscaping and development standards, and both regulate right-of-way and street trees. If you live in one of these communities, check with the appropriate town hall before removing anything in a right-of-way or as part of a project.

Trees in the Public Right-of-Way

This is the most common source of tree removal complications. The public right-of-way is the strip of land between your property line and the street — typically containing the sidewalk, utility easements, and the “tree lawn” or park strip. This land is publicly controlled, not private property, even though the adjacent homeowner is often responsible for basic maintenance.

If a tree sits in the public right-of-way in Murfreesboro:

• You cannot remove it without city authorization
• If the tree is dead, diseased, or a safety hazard, report it to the city and they will evaluate it through the tree removal program
• Unauthorized removal of a right-of-way tree can result in fines and a requirement to plant a replacement at your cost

Don’t assume a tree on “your side” of the sidewalk is on your property. Verify the right-of-way boundary before any removal near the street.

HOA Rules and Tree Removal

If you live in an HOA-governed community — which includes a very large share of Murfreesboro’s newer subdivisions in Blackman, Barfield, Christiana, and elsewhere — your HOA’s CC&Rs or architectural guidelines may regulate tree removal on your own lot.

Common HOA tree provisions include:

• Approval required before removing any tree over a certain trunk diameter (often 4 or 6 inches)
• Front-yard or street-facing trees protected for neighborhood aesthetics
• Required replacement planting when a significant tree is removed
• Prohibition on topping (a good provision some HOAs have adopted)

To find yours:

1. Locate your HOA’s CC&Rs (typically provided at closing; also available from your HOA management company)
2. Look for sections on landscaping, trees, or architectural guidelines
3. If CC&Rs require Architectural Review Committee approval, submit a request before scheduling removal

Violating HOA landscaping rules can result in fines, liens, and a demand to restore the landscape at your expense. A 15-minute review of your CC&Rs before calling a tree service is worthwhile.

Utility Easements and Tennessee “Call Before You Dig”

Many Rutherford County properties have recorded utility easements where power, water, sewer, gas, or telecom companies have the right to access the corridor. Trees growing in or over utility easements may be subject to trimming or removal by the utility at their discretion.

Before any tree removal involving ground disturbance (including stump grinding):

• Call Tennessee 811 at least a few business days before the work
• This is required by Tennessee law and protects you from liability if underground utilities are damaged
• The service is free

This is especially important for stump grinding, where the grinding equipment penetrates below grade.

Trees on Neighboring Property

If a neighbor’s tree has branches or roots encroaching on your property, you generally have the right in Tennessee to trim branches and roots back to your property line — but you cannot enter the neighbor’s property to do so, and you cannot remove the tree.

If a neighbor’s tree appears dead, diseased, or at high risk of falling onto your property, start with a direct conversation. If the tree is genuinely dangerous and the neighbor is unresponsive, a written notice (keep a copy) documents your concern. For serious hazards, a consultation with an attorney familiar with Tennessee property law may be warranted.

Tree service companies cannot perform work on a neighbor’s tree without the tree owner’s authorization, regardless of the tree’s condition.

Trees and Insurance Claims in Tennessee

If a tree falls and damages your property, documentation is critical. Before any cleanup begins after a storm or tree failure:

1. Photograph everything — the fallen tree, the damage, and any visible context (rot, previous lean)
2. Contact your homeowners insurance carrier before cleanup starts
3. Get a written estimate from any tree company you hire — you’ll need it for the claim
4. Ask the tree company for documentation of the work performed

Tennessee homeowners policies generally cover wind and ice damage, but deductibles, limits, and debris-removal caps vary. Know your policy before assuming coverage.

Summary: Permit Requirements for Tree Removal in Murfreesboro

| Situation | Permit Required? | |—|—| | Tree on private residential property in unincorporated county, not in ROW | Generally no — verify HOA rules | | Tree on private property inside Murfreesboro city limits | Depends — large/protected trees and ROW trees are regulated; check the ordinance | | Street tree or tree in public right-of-way | Yes — city authorization and Tree Work Permit required | | Tree removal as part of development/land clearing | Subject to tree preservation and mitigation requirements | | Protected or heritage trees (City of Murfreesboro) | May require a permit — contact the city | | HOA-governed property | Check CC&Rs — committee approval may be required |

When in doubt, a phone call to the City of Murfreesboro’s Urban Environmental Department (or Rutherford County’s building department for unincorporated areas) takes a few minutes and protects you from an expensive mistake.

Questions? We Can Help

Murfreesboro Tree Pros has experience working with Rutherford County property owners, city right-of-way situations, and HOA requirements. We can help you understand what’s likely to apply to your situation and point you to the right contacts — though for definitive permit guidance, the city, county, or your HOA is always the authoritative source.

Call (850) 361-2143 for questions or to schedule a free tree removal estimate.

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Related reading:

• How Much Does Tree Removal Cost in Murfreesboro? →
• Signs an Oak or Maple Is a Storm Hazard →
• Contact Us for a Free Estimate →

Note: This article provides general information about tree removal permitting in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, Tennessee based on publicly available information as of 2026. Local ordinances and HOA rules change. Always verify current requirements directly with the City of Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, or your HOA before proceeding with tree removal. This is not legal advice.