Tree permit rules in the Town of Hempstead
Permit needed for trees between the curb and your property line (the town right-of-way). Most backyard trees on private land don't need a Town of Hempstead permit, but incorporated villages can differ.
- Residential right-of-way tree permit: $25. Trees abutting commercial property: $150.
- The town doesn't grant permits to remove healthy, growing curbside trees.
- A removed tree must be replaced, preferably behind your property line.
- Unpermitted curbside removal can mean a fine (up to about $250 per tree) plus mandatory replanting.
Official source: Town of Hempstead — Curbside Tree Permit (Code Ch. 184) · Highway Department: (516) 489-5000. Compare all towns in our Long Island permit guide.
Villages with their own tree laws: Freeport, Valley Stream, Rockville Centre, Garden City, Lynbrook, Hempstead Village, Malverne. If one of these is on your tax bill, its rules apply.
Trees, pests and problems we see in Hempstead
Street and yard trees here are dominated by London plane, Norway and red maples, pin oaks and aging post-war plantings, often 60–75 years old and at the end of their safe life. Norway maples planted in the 1950s are a frequent removal: shallow roots, heavy crowns and girdling roots that lift sidewalks and driveways.
Soil, weather and storm exposure
The South Shore half of the town (Oceanside, Baldwin, Freeport, Merrick, Seaford) sits on low, sandy ground with a high water table and salt exposure. Superstorm Sandy's surge in 2012 killed or weakened many trees whose roots sat in salt water, and wind-throw (whole trees uprooting) is common in nor'easters because saturated sand holds roots poorly.
Homes, lots and access
Levittown and the surrounding hamlets were built 1947–1951 on roughly 60×100 ft lots, so trees sit close to houses, fences, pools and neighbors. Many removals have no clear drop zone and have to be taken down in sections by a climber, or with a crane over the roof.
What drives the price in Hempstead
Expect sectional take-downs rather than felling on most Hempstead lots, which pushes a medium tree toward the upper half of the $700–$2,000 range. Backyard access through a 3–4 ft side gate limits stump grinder size. Ask whether the quote uses a narrow (walk-behind) grinder.
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 Hempstead
- 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
- Levittown
- East Meadow
- Merrick
- Bellmore
- Wantagh
- Seaford
- Baldwin
- Oceanside
- Franklin Square
- Elmont
- Uniondale
- Freeport
- Valley Stream
- Rockville Centre
- Garden City
- Lynbrook
Hempstead tree removal FAQ
Do I need a permit to take down a tree in my backyard in Levittown?
Usually not from the Town of Hempstead, whose tree permit covers the curbside/right-of-way strip. If you live in an incorporated village (e.g. Garden City, Rockville Centre, Freeport), check the village's own code before cutting.
Who handles a dead tree between the sidewalk and the curb?
That strip is town right-of-way. Contact the Highway Department at (516) 489-5000. If you want to hire your own contractor to remove it, you need the $25 permit first, and a replacement tree is required.
Can a crane fit on a typical Levittown street?
Often yes. Smaller truck-mounted cranes set up in the street or driveway. It usually adds $1,500–$3,500 but can be cheaper than a slow climb-and-lower job over a roof.
