We removed trees from our private property in a Tree save zone in the city of Charlotte.

Question

We removed trees from our private property in a Tree save zone in the city of Charlotte.

Anonymous Aug 16, 2015 8 views 1 answers

We cut down 5 pine trees and 2 sweet gum trees without getting a permission from the city. Our house is just 10 feet away from the huge trees we cut down. Some of these trees were dead. We are in Maclenburg county. Do you know what penalty we are looking at? Here is a link to the ordinance https://www.municode.com/library/nc/charlotte/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH21TR_ARTVMOINENAP_S21-124PE

Craig Morgan · Accepted Answer · 2026-06-15T15:46:17+00:00

According to the language of the statute, you could be fined $20,000 per tree. No notice of the violation is needed prior to levying the fine, so this fine could come without any notice. However, I am curious - how do you know you are located in such a zone? Does your property back up to a designated Greenway? Is it a designated area in a subdivision? If you receive such a fine, you will likely need legal assistance.

We removed trees from our private property in a Tree save zone in the city of Charlotte.

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