Fairfield City Council tree removal rules
Everything you need to know before removing or pruning a tree in the Fairfield City Council area — which trees are protected, the main exemptions, and how to apply for approval. This is the authoritative summary we keep for this council; always confirm against the official source linked below.
Legal basis: State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021, Ch. 2 (Vegetation in Non-Rural Areas) + each council's Development Control Plan (DCP).
Compiled from the council's published rules and cross-checked. Always confirm with the council.
Which trees are protected in Fairfield City Council?
Trees about 4m tall or 8cm trunk (diameter at 1 metre above ground level) or larger are generally protected and need approval.
Fairfield uses multiple criteria with tiered thresholds: non-riparian land requires 4m height OR 3m spread OR 75mm trunk diameter; riparian land requires 1m height OR 0.5m spread OR 20mm trunk diameter, with different protection levels for riparian corridors.
When you may not need approval
- Undesirable trees and priority weeds listed in schedules
- Trees below minimum thresholds (4m height, 3m spread, or 75mm trunk diameter on non-riparian land)
- Valid development consent already issued
- Rural Fire Service Hazard Reduction Certificate
- Electricity Supply Act 1995 authorized work
- Immediate threat to life or property
- Council work on Council-owned land
How to apply
Tree work permit required from Council; 28 days to determine application, or 90 days if Biodiversity Offset Scheme triggered
Other rules that can override the above
- RFS 10/50 Vegetation Clearing scheme — in a designated bush-fire area you may be able to clear trees within 10m of your home (and underlying vegetation within 50m) without council approval. Check eligibility with the NSW RFS online tool; it does not override threatened-species or federal law.
- Heritage items and heritage conservation areas — trees are usually protected regardless of size and most exemptions fall away.
- Threatened species, endangered ecological communities and Aboriginal places — exemptions generally do not apply.
- Federal EPBC Act — separate Commonwealth approval can be required if removal would significantly impact a nationally listed species or community.
Do I need a permit in Fairfield City Council?
Fill in the tree details and we'll estimate whether you likely need council approval.
Suburbs in Fairfield City Council
- Abbotsbury
- Bonnyrigg
- Bonnyrigg Heights
- Bossley Park
- Cabramatta
- Cabramatta West
- Canley Heights
- Canley Vale
- Carramar
- Cecil Park
- Edensor Park
- Fairfield
- Fairfield East
- Fairfield Heights
- Fairfield West
- Greenfield Park
- Horsley Park
- Lansvale
- Mount Pritchard
- Old Guildford
- Prairiewood
- Smithfield
- St Johns Park
- Villawood
- Wakeley
- Wetherill Park
- Yennora