Northfield Tree Preservation Permits: What Owners Should Know

Thinking about removing a tree or starting a renovation in Northfield? Before anyone picks up a chainsaw or breaks ground, you need to know how the Village regulates trees. These rules protect the community’s canopy and can affect your timeline, budget, and resale. In this guide, you will learn when a tree permit is required, what to submit, how fees work, and smart steps for buyers and sellers. Let’s dive in.

When a tree permit is required

In Northfield, you need a permit if you plan to remove or impact a protected tree within a regulated area. The ordinance covers land being subdivided, multi‑family or commercial properties, required front or side yard setbacks on single‑family lots, and single‑family parcels used for non‑single‑family purposes. The Village also controls trees in the parkway and public right of way. Review the Village’s overview of Tree Preservation and Protection for context and forms on the Building and Development page.

A protected tree is regulated for removal and for construction impacts within these areas. The ordinance is the legal authority, so use it as your starting point for definitions, scope, and enforcement. You can read the full Tree Preservation and Protection Ordinance for details.

Protected vs. inventory thresholds

Here is where many owners get tripped up:

• The ordinance defines a Protected Tree as any tree that is 8 inches DBH or larger. DBH is the diameter measured at 4.5 feet above the ground.
• The ordinance also identifies Heritage Trees. These are certain hardwood species that measure 16 inches caliper or greater. Heritage Trees are treated as protected.
• Permit application materials use additional thresholds for plan review. Tree inventories may need to include landscape trees at 3 inches caliper and volunteer trees at 6 inches caliper.

The result is two layers. The ordinance sets the legal protection at 8 inches DBH and up. The application process may require you to inventory and plan around smaller trees for review. When in doubt, confirm your specific situation with staff using the permit application and instructions and the ordinance.

Quick checklist: Do you need a permit?

Use this simple check before scheduling work:

• Location: Is the tree in a required front or side yard setback, on land being subdivided, on a multi‑family or commercial parcel, or in the parkway/right of way? If yes, assume regulation applies. See the ordinance.
• Size: Is the tree 8 inches DBH or larger, or a Heritage Tree at 16 inches caliper or more? If yes, a permit is likely required.
• Project type: Are you planning construction, utilities, grading, or material storage near tree root zones? Protective measures and review apply.
• Tree condition: If the tree is dead or diseased, the Village has a separate removal process. See the permit application and instructions.
• Plan scope: Even if a tree is under 8 inches, your site plan may need to inventory trees at 3 inches or 6 inches depending on the area. Confirm with staff.

How to apply: step by step

1. Measure and document. Measure DBH at 4.5 feet above grade. If you are unsure, ask an ISA‑certified arborist to confirm measurements and condition. The ordinance explains measurement rules.

2. Prepare required plans. Most projects need a Tree Inventory Plan showing species, size, condition, root zones, and the proposed action. Construction projects also need a Construction Activity Plan with the building footprint, staging areas, and tree protection fencing.

3. Submit the application. File the Tree Preservation and Removal application with all plans. Include a Tree Replacement Plan if you are proposing removal, or be prepared to pay a fee in lieu if replacement cannot fit on site. Use the Village’s permit application package.

4. Pay fees and post escrow if required. The Village may collect an application fee and hold an escrow during construction. Replacement or fee‑in‑lieu charges are separate and depend on tree size and type. See “Fees and replacement” below.

5. Install protection and schedule inspections. Before work begins, install required fencing, mark utilities, and keep equipment and materials outside critical root zones. The Village can issue stop‑work orders if protections are not in place. Permits expire after six months with no action, or after 90 days of inactivity once work starts. See the ordinance for details.

Fees, replacement, and escrow explained

There are three different cost buckets to plan for:

• Application and escrow. The permit application shows residential examples such as a $225 application fee and a $1,000 escrow for certain remodeling scenarios, and higher deposits for new construction and commercial work. Always verify current amounts with the Village using the permit application package.

• Replacement or fee in lieu. When a protected tree is approved for removal, the ordinance provides per‑inch charges that reflect replanting value. Examples in the ordinance show $175 per caliper or DBH inch for protected trees on private property and $400 per inch for Heritage Trees in some cases. See the ordinance for rates and formulas.

• Ongoing care. Replacement trees are typically guaranteed for one year, which means they must be maintained and viable at final inspection.

Reviews, denials, appeals, and enforcement

The Community Development and Building Director, or a designee, reviews your application. Approval depends on your efforts to avoid damage, preserve viable trees, and provide appropriate replacement. If your request is denied, the Village will explain the reason. You may file a written appeal to the Architectural Commission within 30 days. The ordinance also allows fines, recovery of costs, and stop‑work orders for violations. Read the ordinance for procedures and penalties.

Special situations and emergencies

• Dead or diseased trees. The Village provides a specific process for dead or diseased removals. These often have no fee, but you must notify the Village and obtain the appropriate authorization. Use the permit application package to get started.

• Parkway and right‑of‑way trees. These are typically Village trees. Do not remove or alter parkway trees without Village approval. Unauthorized removal can trigger fines and replacement charges under the ordinance.

• Utilities and digging. Before digging, the Village instructs applicants to contact the utility locate service and to show utility routes on plans. In sensitive areas, utilities should be augered beneath root zones. See the Village’s Building and Development page for guidance.

Tips for buyers and sellers

• Sellers. If you removed trees during your ownership, confirm that permits and final inspections are on file. Unpermitted removal can lead to replacement obligations or penalties.

• Buyers. Ask the seller for tree permits, inventories, and final approvals. If you plan a renovation, factor permit timing, escrows, and potential per‑inch fees into your budget. For current forms and process updates, check the Village’s Applications, Forms, and Guidelines page.

Choosing a contractor or arborist

Northfield does not require general contractors to be registered, but you remain responsible for compliance. Hire insured professionals and consider an ISA‑certified arborist for inventories, measurements, and protection plans. Contractor and arborist contact fields are included in the Village’s permit application package.

If you want a local perspective on how tree permits can affect timing, budgets, and negotiations when you buy or sell in Northfield, reach out to Mary Grant for tailored guidance.

FAQs

Do I need a tree permit to remove a tree on my single‑family lot in Northfield?

• If the tree is protected by size or is located in a regulated area like a front or side yard setback, a permit is required under the ordinance.

How do I measure tree size for Northfield’s rules?

• Measure DBH at 4.5 feet above grade for larger trees, and use caliper rules for smaller nursery stock as outlined in the ordinance.

What will this cost and how long does it take in Northfield?

• Costs include an application fee, possible escrow, and replacement or fee‑in‑lieu charges per inch; timelines vary by project complexity, so review the permit application package and confirm with staff.

What if a tree is dead, diseased, or presents an immediate hazard in Northfield?

• The Village provides a dead or diseased removal process that often has no fee, but you must notify the Village and follow the permit application package.

Can I remove a parkway tree in front of my home in Northfield?

• No, parkway and right‑of‑way trees are under Village control, and unauthorized removal can lead to fines and replacement charges under the ordinance.