Tree permit rules in the Town of Huntington
Permit required for Landmark, Large or Medium trees, or more than three Small trees within one year. Applications are online through the Planning Department.
- Fee: $25 per five trees (or portion), capped at $500 for single-family residential.
- Dead, dying or hazardous trees: exemption with an ISA Certified Arborist letter and photos.
- Application needs your Suffolk County Tax Map number, photos, a sketch or survey, and the contractor's Suffolk County Home Improvement license number.
- Permits are valid for one year. Starting work early can triple the fee.
Official source: Town of Huntington — Tree Removal Permit (Planning Dept.) · Town Hall: (631) 351-3000. Compare all towns in our Long Island permit guide.
Villages with their own tree laws: Northport, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor, Asharoken. If one of these is on your tax bill, its rules apply.
Trees, pests and problems we see in Huntington
Mature oak–hickory woods on the harbor hills (Cold Spring Harbor, Lloyd Harbor, Centerport), with tulip poplars, beeches and big white pines. Oak wilt was found in Suffolk (Islip, Southold and Riverhead). NYSDEC now lists those sites as inactive, but a red oak that wilts and drops leaves in summer should be reported and tested, since infected trees need special handling.
Soil, weather and storm exposure
The hilliest part of Long Island. Steep lots, harbor bluffs and long, sloped driveways make rigging, cranes and careful debris carries common. Waterfront parcels can carry extra coastal restrictions.
Homes, lots and access
Wooded one-acre-plus lots in Dix Hills, Lloyd Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor, and tighter 1950s–60s neighborhoods in Huntington Station, East Northport and Commack. Big trees within falling distance of houses are the norm.
What drives the price in Huntington
Slopes and large hardwoods push prices up. Many Huntington removals involve cranes or bucket trucks. Since the application needs the contractor's Suffolk HIC number, only licensed pros can pull the permit.
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 Huntington
- 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
- Huntington
- Huntington Station
- Northport
- East Northport
- Commack
- Dix Hills
- Melville
- Centerport
- Greenlawn
- Cold Spring Harbor
- Elwood
- South Huntington
- Lloyd Harbor
Huntington tree removal FAQ
My tree is dead. Do I still need a Huntington permit?
Dead or dying trees are exempt, but you need proof: an ISA Certified Arborist letter and photos submitted to the town. Removing a tree without a permit or that written confirmation can lead the town to presume a permit was required.
How much is a Huntington tree permit?
$25 for every five trees (or part of five). For a single-family home, the fee is capped at $500.
I'm in the Village of Northport. Which rules apply?
Incorporated villages like Northport, Huntington Bay, Lloyd Harbor and Asharoken have their own codes. Check with the village first.
