Brookline Tree Preservation Bylaw

Permit Application

  1. First, register an account on our online permit portal, Accela. Follow this guide:
    you may skip this step if you already have an account.
    Guide to Registering
  2. Click the following link to open Accela and fill out the permit application.
    Apply for a Permit

Bylaw

In the Fall of 2022 Brookline’s Town Meeting passed a Tree Preservation Bylaw. The bylaw, as voted upon by Town Meeting, has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General. The final rules and regulations regarding implementation of the bylaw have been reviewed and can be found here: Final Tree Protection By-Law Rules and Regulations

The Select Board held a public hearing to review any public comment or input on these draft rules and regulations on November 28, 2023. These draft regulations have been reviewed and adopted by the Select Board and the Bylaw is now in effect.

What: Tree Bylaw Rules and Regulations Public Hearing

When: Tuesday, November 28 at 7:30 PM

Where: Select Board Hearing Room, 6th Floor, Brookline Town Hall or via zoom - the link to register can be found on the Town's Calendar.

Select Board Public Hearing Presentation Nov 28, 2023

The draft minutes from the Tree Preservation Bylaw Rules and Regulations Hearing conducted by the Select Board's Committee on Tree Protection can be accessed here: Draft Tree Preservation Bylaw Rules and Regulations Minutes.

Bylaw Overview:

There are three specific actions that could trigger the provisions of the Tree Protection Bylaw.

These three actions are set forth in the Bylaw which states “Within all residential districts of the Town, it is prohibited to remove a Protected Tree without a Protected Tree Impact and Removal Permit during construction or within the 12 months prior to submitting an application for a demolition or building permit for:

  1.  demolition of an existing structure of 250 gross square feet or greater; 
  2. construction of any building or structure on a vacant lot; or 
  3. construction of one or more structures or additions to structures on a lot that increases the Gross Floor Area (GFA) by 50% or greater, as defined by Zoning Bylaw Section 2.07.1.”

If any of these three thresholds are met all of the provisions within the Tree Preservation Bylaw shall apply.

For any questions regarding the Tree Preservation Bylaw, please contact the Town Tree Warden, Tom Brady, at [email protected] or 617-730-2088. 

You can review the full text of the bylaw here: Tree Preservation Bylaw