Guide · Jonesboro, AR
Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Jonesboro, AR?
Most homeowners just want to know whether they can take down a tree in their own yard. Here is what we could confirm, what we couldn’t, and the situations where you should check before anyone cuts.
Requests go to independent local tree service providers. Tree Service Jonesboro is a free referral service.
We could not find a published City of Jonesboro rule requiring a permit to remove a tree from a private residential yard, but we couldn’t confirm that none exists either. Before cutting, check with the city if the tree is near a street, sidewalk or right-of-way, and check HOA rules and power lines. The city’s main line is 870-932-1052.
What we checked
We looked for a Jonesboro tree ordinance or tree removal permit in the city’s published information and in public code libraries. We did not find a residential tree removal permit, but the full city code was not available for us to read, so we are not going to tell you there’s no rule. The safest answer is a two-minute phone call to the city before a large removal.
When to check before cutting
- The tree is near the street, sidewalk or a ditch. The strip next to the road may be public right-of-way, not your yard. Ask the city who owns the tree before it comes down.
- You live in a subdivision with an HOA. Many HOAs have their own rules about removing or replacing trees. Read your covenants or ask the board.
- The tree touches or hangs over power lines. Call your electric utility first. Don’t let an untrained crew cut near lines.
- The tree is on the property line. Talk to your neighbor first, and get agreement in writing for a shared tree.
- The land is being developed. Commercial projects and new subdivisions often have landscaping or tree requirements. Ask the city’s planning office.
- You’ll grind or dig a stump. Call 811 a few days ahead so buried utility lines are marked for free.
What to ask the city
When you call, have the address ready and ask three questions:
- Is the tree on my property or in the public right-of-way?
- Do I need a permit or approval to remove a tree from a residential lot at this address?
- Are there rules for what I have to do with the stump or the wood?
Write down who you spoke to and the date. If the answer is that no permit is needed, that note is useful if anyone asks later.
Dead and dangerous trees
A dead tree next to a house is a safety problem, not just a landscaping choice. Arkansas’s model small-town tree ordinance includes a provision letting a city order the removal of dead or diseased trees on private property when they are a hazard (Arkansas sample tree ordinance). It is a template, not Jonesboro’s law, but the point stands: don’t wait for a storm to decide for you. See tree removal in Jonesboro for the signs a tree needs to come down.
Tree permit FAQ
Do I need a permit to cut down a tree in my yard in Jonesboro?
We couldn’t find a published City of Jonesboro permit requirement for removing a tree from a private residential yard, but we couldn’t confirm there isn’t one. Call the city at 870-932-1052 before a large removal, especially near a street or sidewalk.
Who owns the tree between the sidewalk and the street?
That strip is often public right-of-way rather than part of your lot. Ask the city before removing or heavily trimming a tree there.
Can my HOA stop me from removing a tree?
Possibly. Many HOAs have rules about tree removal and replacement. Check your covenants or ask the board before work starts.
Ready to have the tree taken down?
Send a request to reach a local crew in Jonesboro. A good tree pro will also tell you if the tree is near a line or the right-of-way.