Tree permit rules in the Town of Brookhaven
Chapter 70 requires a permit to clear protected trees (over 3" diameter at 3 ft, 6 ft+ tall) on residential land of 2 acres or more, with contiguous parcels under the same owner combined. The town issues clearing permits only alongside a building permit.
- Residential trigger: 2 acres or more (contiguous parcels are combined).
- Protected tree: over 3" diameter measured 3 ft up and at least 6 ft tall.
- Starting before approval can triple the application and review fees.
- Fines: $500–$2,000 for a first offense, with steeper penalties for ignoring stop-work orders. Central Pine Barrens parcels have additional state rules.
Official source: Town of Brookhaven — Tree Clearing . Compare all towns in our Long Island permit guide.
Villages with their own tree laws: Port Jefferson, Patchogue, Bellport, Lake Grove, Old Field, Poquott, Belle Terre, Shoreham. If one of these is on your tax bill, its rules apply.
Trees, pests and problems we see in Brookhaven
Much of the town lies in or near the Central Pine Barrens: pitch pine, scrub and white oak on dry sand. Southern pine beetle has killed large numbers of pitch pines on Long Island, and dead pines near houses in Manorville, Ridge, Middle Island and Yaphank are a leading removal call. North Shore Stony Brook and Setauket have mature oak, beech and tulip poplar.
Soil, weather and storm exposure
Very sandy, fast-draining outwash soil with shallow lateral roots, so trees blow over rather than snap. North Shore bluffs (Rocky Point, Sound Beach, Miller Place) have erosion and access issues, and South Shore Mastic, Shirley and Bellport are low and storm-exposed.
Homes, lots and access
The widest range on Long Island: wooded half-acre to multi-acre lots in the Pine Barrens hamlets, 1960s–80s neighborhoods in Centereach, Selden and Coram, and historic homes in Setauket and Bellport. Big wooded lots often mean multiple-tree jobs and lot or brush clearing.
What drives the price in Brookhaven
Pines are lighter and easier to fell than oaks, so single pine removals are often mid-range, but multi-tree and lot-clearing jobs add up. Many stumps per visit makes the $30–$60 add-on stump price worth negotiating.
Long Island baseline: small trees $300–$800, medium $700–$2,000, large $1,500–$3,500+, and stump grinding $150–$500 per stump. See the tree removal cost guide and stump grinding costs.
Services available in Brookhaven
- Tree Removal: Dead, leaning, storm-damaged or just-in-the-way trees taken down safely, including crane work over houses and pools.
- Stump Grinding: Stumps ground 6–8 inches below grade so you can reseed, plant or pave. Usually $150–$500 a stump.
- Stump & Root Removal: Full extraction of the stump and main roots when you need to replant, build a patio or pour footings in the same spot.
- Emergency & Storm Tree Removal: A tree on the house, car, fence or driveway after a nor'easter or tropical storm, with help documenting it for insurance.
- Tree Trimming & Pruning: Limbs over the roof, deadwood, storm-prep thinning and clearance, done to keep the tree healthy rather than topping it.
- Land & Lot Clearing: Wooded building lots, pool and driveway areas, and overgrown property cleared, with stumps ground or pulled and the permit rules sorted first.
Communities covered
- Stony Brook
- Setauket
- Port Jefferson Station
- Miller Place
- Rocky Point
- Sound Beach
- Coram
- Middle Island
- Selden
- Centereach
- Lake Grove
- Holbrook (part)
- Medford
- Patchogue
- East Patchogue
- Bellport
- Shirley
- Mastic
- Manorville
- Ridge
- Yaphank
Brookhaven tree removal FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove trees on my half-acre lot in Medford?
Generally not from the Town of Brookhaven. Chapter 70's residential permit trigger is 2 acres or more. Incorporated villages (e.g. Port Jefferson, Patchogue, Bellport) have their own rules.
How do I know if southern pine beetle killed my pine?
Look for needles turning yellow then red-brown, small popcorn-like resin 'pitch tubes' on the bark, and S-shaped galleries under loose bark. Dead pines should come down before they drop limbs or fall.
Can I clear part of my wooded lot for a pool?
On lots of 2 acres or more, clearing needs a permit tied to a building permit. On smaller lots it's generally allowed, but check Pine Barrens and wetland rules if you're near protected land.
