One of the most common questions Gwinnett homeowners ask is whether they need a permit to remove a tree. The answer is genuinely "it depends" — because the rules differ depending on whether your property is in unincorporated Gwinnett County or inside one of its incorporated cities, and they can depend on the tree's size, location, and your reason for removal.
This guide is a general starting point to help you ask the right questions. It is not legal advice, and ordinances change. Always confirm current requirements with the correct authority before any tree is removed.
Unincorporated Gwinnett vs. city limits
The first thing to determine is who has jurisdiction over your property. Gwinnett County has a large unincorporated area, plus many incorporated cities — including Duluth, Suwanee, Norcross, Lilburn, Lawrenceville, Snellville, Buford, Grayson, Dacula, and Loganville — that each maintain their own ordinances.
Rules for a healthy tree on private residential property are often different from rules tied to land development, buffers, specimen trees, or commercial property. Your city or the county can tell you which apply to you.
When permits or rules are more likely to apply
While many routine removals of hazardous or dead trees on a private lot are straightforward, you're more likely to encounter requirements when:
- The work is part of land clearing, development, or a building project
- The tree sits within a protected buffer, easement, or required landscape area
- The tree is classified as a specimen or protected tree by local ordinance
- The property is commercial, an HOA-governed lot, or under active permitting
- Removal affects stormwater, stream buffers, or erosion control
Don't forget your HOA
Even when the county or city doesn't require a permit, many Gwinnett subdivisions have homeowners associations with their own tree and landscaping rules. Check your HOA covenants before removing a prominent tree to avoid fines or disputes.
Trees near property lines and utilities
If a tree sits on or near a property line, talk with your neighbor first — responsibility and consent can get complicated. For any tree touching or near power lines, contact your utility provider (such as Georgia Power or your local EMC); utility-line work should never be a DIY job.
A simple pre-removal checklist
- Confirm whether you're in unincorporated Gwinnett or a city
- Call the relevant planning/development office about permit requirements
- Check your HOA covenants
- Confirm property lines for boundary trees
- Contact the utility for anything near power lines
- Hire a professional and verify their insurance before work begins