Arborists and tree removal in Victoria

Victoria's tree rules, briefly

Since 24 September 2026, clause 52.37 counts a canopy tree as at least 5 metres tall with a canopy at least 4 metres across. In the main residential zones, removing or lopping one near the street frontage or rear boundary of a house block needs a planning permit.

Overlays can protect more, and VicPlan shows which apply to any address. Some councils add a local law as well: Boroondara wants a permit even for dead canopy trees. Tree removal permits in Victoria has the rest.

Older council pages may still show the old trunk test. It's gone, so go by height and canopy, then ask the council.

Who keeps trees off the lines?

Victoria has five networks: CitiPower in the CBD and inner suburbs, Jemena in the north-west, United Energy in the east, south-east and Mornington Peninsula, AusNet in Melbourne's north and east and eastern Victoria, and Powercor across the west and the regions.

A tree on your land near the service line to your house is yours to keep clear, and Energy Safe Victoria says to act before growth reaches within one metre of it. Near a line, a qualified professional is the safer call.

Victoria's own bushfire clearing rule

In a designated bushfire prone area, the 10/30 rule in clause 52.12 covers clearing around an existing home: any vegetation, trees included, within 10 metres, and anything but trees within 30 metres. It only applies to homes built or approved before 10 September 2009, and only where the building sits on the mapped part of the property.

Inside the Bushfire Management Overlay, a 50 metre rule applies to vegetation other than trees, and not all of it applies in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Covenants can still stop clearing, so ask the council before relying on any of it. The bushfire clearing guide explains more.