Washington · Land and Lot Clearing
Land and Lot Clearing in Washington, DC
Removing trees, brush and stumps from a lot so it can be built on, farmed or opened up. This page applies it to Washington, DC, using the rules and conditions on the Washington city page.
Call availability varies by area and time of day. Calls are answered by an independent tree service provider.
Land and Lot Clearing in Washington: what to check first
Removing trees, brush and stumps from a lot so it can be built on, farmed or opened up in Washington, DC. Before work starts, check the city's main tree rule: permit to remove a Special Tree, 44 to 99.9 inches in circumference; Heritage Trees, 100 inches and up, are protected.
- Local rule
- Permit to remove a Special Tree, 44 to 99.9 inches in circumference; Heritage Trees, 100 inches and up, are protected (Washington).
- Who to call about lines
- Pepco, for trees near wires in Washington.
- Where the rules live
- Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016, administered by DDOT's Urban Forestry Division.
Washington rules that apply to land and Lot Clearing
In Washington, DC, tree work is governed by tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016, administered by DDOT's Urban Forestry Division.
The rule most likely to affect land and Lot Clearing in Washington: permit to remove a Special Tree, 44 to 99.9 inches in circumference; Heritage Trees, 100 inches and up, are protected.
For the full local picture, including measurement and exemptions, see tree service in Washington.
Local conditions behind land and Lot Clearing calls in Washington
Summer thunderstorms and derechos
Listed among the main tree hazards in Washington.
Tropical storm remnants
Listed among the main tree hazards in Washington.
Old street oaks over rowhouses
Listed among the main tree hazards in Washington.
How land and Lot Clearing runs on a Washington property
Walk the property
Washington: boundaries, keeper trees, wet areas, slopes and the access route for machines are marked.
Silt fence and access
Washington: erosion controls go in before soil is disturbed, along with a stable entrance for trucks.
Fell and process trees
Washington: merchantable logs are separated, and the rest is chipped or mulched.
Brush and stumps
Washington: a mulcher, excavator or stump grinder handles them according to the plan for the ground.
Final grade
Washington: the surface is left smooth, seeded or mulched to hold the soil.
Washington facts for land and Lot Clearing
| Item | Washington detail |
|---|---|
| Service | Land and Lot Clearing |
| County or jurisdiction | District of Columbia (no county) |
| Tree rules | Tree Canopy Protection Amendment Act of 2016, administered by DDOT's Urban Forestry Division |
| Key local rule | Permit to remove a Special Tree, 44 to 99.9 inches in circumference; Heritage Trees, 100 inches and up, are protected |
| Electric utility | Pepco |
Work often paired with land and Lot Clearing in Washington
- Tree Removal
- See tree removal for how it relates to work in Washington.
- Stump Removal
- See stump removal for how it relates to work in Washington.
- Brush Clearing
- See brush clearing for how it relates to work in Washington.
Land and Lot Clearing questions from Washington
Does land and Lot Clearing in Washington need a permit?
Start with the city's key rule: permit to remove a Special Tree, 44 to 99.9 inches in circumference; Heritage Trees, 100 inches and up, are protected. The Washington page explains thresholds and exemptions.
Who should be called first about trees near lines in Washington?
Pepco. Keep at least 10 feet away from energized lines.
Can I burn the brush from clearing in Washington?
Only where local and state rules allow it, often with a burn permit and only in certain seasons. Many urban and suburban areas ban open burning.
Can I sell the timber from my lot in Washington?
If there is enough merchantable timber, a forester or logger may buy it. A state forestry agency can explain how to find a consulting forester.
More on land and Lot Clearing and Washington
Land and Lot Clearing help in Washington
Call to be connected with an independent tree company that works in Washington, DC.
(844) 955-1716Call availability varies by area and time of day
Limbwright is a referral service. Your call goes to an independent tree service company that sets its own schedule and terms. Ask for proof of insurance and a written scope before work starts. How this works
Call now
Talk to a tree service provider in your area. Have the tree's location and what it is near ready.
(844) 955-1716Call nowCall availability varies by area and time of day