The short answer
For a tree in the yard of an existing single-family home in Concord, in our experience, no city permit is involved. The city's tree rules are written for two other situations: development — the landscaping, buffers, street trees and tree protection that a builder has to provide under Article 11 of the Concord Development Ordinance — and public trees, the ones on city property, in parks and greenways, and in the street right-of-way, which Chapter 50, Article IX of the city code protects.
That said, "usually not" isn't "never." Before we cut we check four things: where the trunk stands relative to the right-of-way, whether your subdivision's plat or approved landscape plan protects the tree, whether an HOA has a say, and whether you're in the North Union Street local historic district.
What Article 11 covers
Article 11 — "Landscaping and Buffering Standards" — sets the planting-yard, buffer, street-tree and tree-protection requirements for new development and redevelopment in Concord. When a subdivision or commercial site is approved, its landscape plan becomes an obligation: those trees have to be planted, maintained and replaced. The city's Urban Forestry division reviews those plans and tells businesses and developers to comply with Article 11. If your lot sits on a required buffer or a tree-save area, the trees in it aren't simply yours to remove — the plat controls, and the HOA or the city may need to approve a replacement.
What Chapter 50 covers
Chapter 50, Article IX (Ordinance 19-25, adopted April 11, 2019) regulates trees on public property. It's unlawful to damage or remove a public tree, to attach cables, wires or signs to one, or to top one; and anyone doing construction, digging or trenching inside the dripline or critical root zone of a public tree has to contact the city arborist first. It also limits what can be planted within 15 lateral feet of overhead utility lines to the ornamental species on the city's list, and prohibits trees in underground utility easements. The tree between the sidewalk and the curb is the one this chapter is about — it's the city's, and you call the city (704-920-5555) rather than a tree service.
The exceptions to check
Right-of-way trees. If the trunk is between the sidewalk and the street, or inside the city's right-of-way line on a street without sidewalks, it's a public tree. We check the property pins.
Plat-protected trees. Subdivisions approved under Article 11 often show buffer strips and tree-save areas along the perimeter. Trees inside those lines on your lot may need replacement-in-kind or city sign-off to remove.
HOA rules. Highland Creek, Skybrook, Christenbury, Moss Creek, Afton Village and most of the newer communities have architectural review that covers tree removal. Approval is usually routine for a dead or hazardous tree, but it's a form, and we'll tell you which one.
The historic district. Concord's North Union Street local historic district is overseen by the Historic Preservation Commission, which issues Certificates of Appropriateness for exterior changes. Removing a major tree from a historic-district lot may fall under that review; check with the city's planning staff before cutting — it's a phone call, and we'll make it.
Utility lines. No permit, but a rule: nobody should cut within ten feet of an energized line. Trees on the primary lines are Concord Electric Systems' or Duke Energy's to clear.
Across the county and town lines
Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Mount Pleasant, Midland, Locust: tree rules aimed at development; yard trees on existing lots generally free of permits; right-of-way trees belong to the town.
Charlotte (University City): the city's tree ordinance protects right-of-way trees and regulates commercial and multifamily sites, including heritage trees; single-family yard trees are generally the owner's.
Huntersville: a town tree ordinance focused on development and required plantings; check plat buffers.
Davidson: one of the more protective ordinances in the region, especially in the historic district — we confirm the current rule for your specific tree before quoting.
Lake Norman lots (Cornelius, Huntersville, Mooresville, Davidson): Duke Energy's shoreline buffer, 50 feet from full pond, with tiered cutting limits and real penalties. See our Cornelius & Davidson page.
Common questions
What happens if I remove a tree I wasn't supposed to?
For a public tree, Chapter 50 makes it a violation; for a plat-required tree, the city or HOA can require replacement — often several trees for one. In Davidson and Charlotte, fines apply to protected trees. The cheapest insurance is a five-minute check before the cut, which we do as part of every estimate.
Do I need anything to remove a dead tree?
In your own yard on an existing lot, generally nothing from the city. In an HOA, usually a quick approval; in the historic district or on a lake lot, a dead tree is allowed but should be documented with photos and, ideally, an arborist's note.
Who owns the tree on the property line?
Both neighbors — the city code's definition calls it a boundary tree when any part of the trunk is on the line. Neither owner can remove it without the other's agreement. We'll ask for both signatures.
Can the city make me cut down a tree?
The city can require you to keep trees and vegetation from obstructing signs, sidewalks and streets, and to maintain what a landscape plan requires. It doesn't order private yard trees removed unless they're a public hazard.
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