Local Law No. 13 of 2025, which significantly strengthens regulations for the protection of trees, has gone into effect. This law, which repeals and replaces the former Chapter 208, Trees, of the Village Code, strengthens the tree replacement requirements in the code and increases penalties for the illegal removal of or injury to trees.
The objectives of the Village Code regarding trees have the goal of protecting the environmental, aesthetic, and economic benefits that trees provide, such as impeding soil erosion, aiding water absorption, and enhancing air quality. The amendment introduces several important provisions to manage and preserve the Village’s tree canopy:
- Permitting: “Topping” trees or planting invasive species is prohibited. A permit is now required to remove more than three trees in a year, or a single large tree.
- Replacement Requirements The permitted removal of three or more trees must be accompanied by the replacement of with new trees of similar environmental value.
- Penalties for Violations: The penalties are tiered, meaning they increase based on the size and type of the tree, with fines for disturbing Landmark Trees reaching up to $5,000. Fines can be enhanced for serious violations, such as illegally removing more than three trees or engaging in “clear cutting” of an area.
The proposed local law was drafted in consultation with the Village’s Conservation Advisory Council and used the model tree ordinance circulated by Westchester County as a starting point.
The law was reviewed under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process and found not to have any significant adverse environmental impacts. The law’s provisions were also reviewed by the Waterfront Advisory Committee and found to be consistent with the Village’s Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), specifically in areas related to protecting fish and wildlife habitats, preventing erosion on steep slopes, and preserving scenic views.
“Trees are both literal and figurative pillars of our ecosystem, cooling us, nourishing wildlife and capturing carbon,” said John Ealer, Chair of the Croton Conservation Advisory Council. “This new tree law re-confirms the Village’s to take continuing, proactive steps to protect our environment.”
“Our amended code will help protect our community’s trees, which are a key piece of our village’s natural beauty. This new law ensures that our Village’s vibrant tree canopy will be there for generations to come. Thank you to the Conservation Advisory Council for their advocacy and to our Board for their vision,” said Mayor Brian Pugh.
For more information, residents can review the full text of Local Law No. 13 of 2025 as well as review a brochure that has been created on the new law.
