The short answer
General information, not legal advice. This page summarises Redland City Council’s published rules as we read them on 25 October 2026. Rules and maps change, so check with Council before you cut anything. Council’s number is (07) 3829 8999.
What protects a tree on private land
Council says a tree on private land in Redlands can be protected in five ways:
- the City Plan vegetation clearing rules, which turn on zones and overlays (see below)
- a covenant on the property
- a building or development envelope
- a condition on a development approval
- one of the few Vegetation Protection Orders (VPO) or Tree Protection Areas still in effect. A Council permit for one of these comes under Local Law No. 6.
Council also lists the circumstances where you can remove a tree without approval. They cover the overlay (clearing within the area the City Plan allows), whether the property has a covenant, building envelope or approval condition, and whether the tree is under a VPO. “Essential management” under the State’s Planning Regulation 2017 is another route. All the conditions need to hold, so read Council’s page for the exact wording.
The risk of getting it wrong is real. Council says: “It is an offence to remove protected vegetation without an approval.” Penalties can include fines or an order to restore the vegetation. State rules can apply as well: Council points people to 135VEG (13 58 34) and 13 QGOV (13 74 68) before clearing. See our guide to Queensland tree laws for home owners.
Overlays that can need approval
The City Plan (Version 14, effective 10 November 2025) uses overlays on its maps to decide when clearing needs approval.
| Overlay | What it can mean for a tree |
|---|---|
| Environmental significance | Clearing native vegetation can need approval, depending on the zone and how much is cleared. See the next section. |
| Waterway corridors and wetlands | Clearing in an area that is also in the environmental significance overlay is assessable. If land is in both overlays, any clearing becomes assessable. |
| Heritage | Changing the landscaping, fencing or natural features of a local heritage place can need approval. |
| Koala habitat | The City Plan’s clearing table names no koala overlay. Koala habitat is regulated by the State, so see the laws guide. |
The urban clearing allowance
The City Plan rule applies to clearing native vegetation in the environmental significance overlay. Essential management, as defined in the State’s Regulation, is not made assessable. How much you can clear without approval depends on your zone:
| Zone | When approval is needed |
|---|---|
| Emerging community, environmental management, low-medium density residential, medium density residential, tourist accommodation, conservation, and recreation and open space | Any clearing of native vegetation in the overlay. |
| Other urban-area zones | When the combined clearing of native vegetation, including all clearing since the first City Plan began, goes over 500 m². |
| Rural, and community facilities outside the urban area | Above 2,500 m² combined. Rural lots with a dwelling house have extra requirements between 500 and 2,500 m². |
So the City Plan generally lets owners of urban lots clear a limited area of native vegetation, but in some zones any clearing of mapped native vegetation needs approval. Check your zone first, on Red-e-Map (below). The clearing rule is about native vegetation, but a covenant, heritage listing, VPO or approval condition can protect any tree.
What we could not confirm. You may see websites say a tree within 10 m of a house, or within 3 m of a structure, can be removed without approval. We could not find a general rule like that in Redland City Plan Version 14 or on Council’s tree page, so don’t rely on one. Some online guides repeat exemptions that belong to Brisbane City Council, which is a different council. Council’s tree page also lists no exemption for fruit trees, so check before you remove one.
Routine pruning and tree care
Council treats these as normal tree management: removing deadwood, removing hazardous limbs, canopy lifting, reduction and thinning, and removing environmental and declared weed species. It says the work should be done to AS 4373-2007 and recommends a qualified arborist, at least AQF level 3.
The catch is in Council’s next line: “Other activities that may result in damage to protected trees will need Council approval.” Cutting a tree back hard is not routine care. See our guide to lopping and pruning, and what AQF level 3 and level 5 mean.
Unsafe, hazardous and dead trees
- Unsafe trees: Council says approval is generally needed to remove unsafe vegetation unless removal is needed for an “imminent risk of serious personal injury or damage to infrastructure”. Council recommends taking photos of the tree and its surroundings as evidence. The State’s exemption list uses the same test for freehold land.
- Hazardous protected trees: the assessment must be done by an arborist with at least AQF level 5, and a Tree Assessment Report goes in with the application.
- Dead trees: “Dead trees standing on urban lots may be removed” when they are high risk and there is no sustainable option. Dead standing trees on rural land with hollows or habitat value are usually protected. Check for covenants and approval conditions first.
After a storm, see our guide to storm damage tree removal.
How to check your property
- Open Red-e-Map. It is Council’s mapping tool and shows your property’s City Plan zone and overlays.
- Find your address. Council’s fact sheet says to choose Find, then Property, enter the address, tick City Plan, then run the report.
- Read the zone and overlays against the sections above.
- Check for a covenant or approval condition. Council says to call (07) 3829 8999 if you are unsure about either.
- Check the State maps too. The State offers a free vegetation management property report and Queensland Globe, and South East Queensland koala habitat maps.
Applying, and what it costs
Council’s form is “Remove or trim vegetation on private property”. It asks whether there is an existing VPO and needs a map or site sketch, the tree species, the number of trees, the method, the reason and photos. Council says: “Usually an inspection will have to be arranged.” For a safety issue it advises a tree assessment report from a qualified arborist.
You can lodge it in person at a Council Customer Service Centre (Cleveland, Middle and Bloomfield Streets; Victoria Point, 7/15 Bunker Road; Capalaba Central, 38/62 Moreton Bay Road), post it to PO Box 21, Cleveland Qld 4163, or email [email protected].
| Fee (2026-27) | What it is listed for |
|---|---|
| $599.00 per visit | Site inspection and advice associated with a tree clearing enquiry. Business.gov.au shows the same figure for 2026-27. |
| $571.00 urban, $1,856.00 non-urban | Listed under Environmental Assessment for operational work involving clearing of native vegetation, with inspection fees extra. Check the register or call Council to see which applies to you. |
| $1,223.00 | Operational works made assessable only by the heritage overlay. |
We could not find a processing time published anywhere, so ask Council when you lodge.
Trees on footpaths and council land
Council looks after street trees and trees on council land. It says: “residents are not allowed to prune, lop or top a Council-owned tree”. Council may give written permission to prune, but only after assessment. Ask through Council’s Contact Us page or on (07) 3829 8999. If you want a tree removed for a new driveway, that goes through a driveway crossover application. Energex trims trees around its own powerlines in the street.
What Tree Problem No Problem does
If council approval is needed, we tell you during the quote and can handle the approval from Council for you. Approval is Council’s decision, so we can’t promise a yes. For a hazardous protected tree, Council wants the Tree Assessment Report from an arborist with at least AQF level 5, so ask whoever you hire which level they hold. See arborist reports.
“Andrew was great at explaining was could and couldn’t be done and recommended a different approach to allow me to keep a beautiful tree in my rear yard.” Mel K., Google review
Questions
Do I need council approval to remove a tree in Redland City?
Sometimes. It depends on your property’s zone and overlays and on any covenant, development approval condition or Vegetation Protection Order, not just on the tree. Check Red-e-Map and call Council on (07) 3829 8999 if you are unsure.
Can I remove a dead tree without approval?
Council says dead trees standing on urban lots may be removed when they are high risk and there is no sustainable option. Check for a covenant or approval condition first. Dead standing trees on rural land with hollows or habitat value are usually protected.
Can I prune a tree without approval?
Routine care such as removing deadwood, canopy lifting, reduction and thinning is treated as normal tree management. Council says to follow AS 4373-2007 and recommends a qualified arborist. Other work that may damage a protected tree needs approval.
What if a tree is dangerous right now?
Council says approval is generally needed to remove unsafe vegetation unless there is an imminent risk of serious personal injury or damage to infrastructure. Take photos first. For an emergency, call us any time on 0431 732 028.
What happens if I remove a protected tree without approval?
Council says it is an offence. Penalties can include fines or a requirement that the vegetation be restored.
What if my property is in Brisbane, not Redland City?
A different council’s rules apply. Brisbane City Council, for example, has its own permits for protected vegetation. Check with that council before you cut.
Sources
- Redland City Council, Trees on private property.
- Redland City Council, Redland City Plan documents (Redland City Plan 2018 Version 14, adopted 17 September 2025, effective 10 November 2025: Part 5 Table 5.9.1 and the overlay tables).
- Redland City Council, Red-e-Map.
- Redland City Council, Remove or trim vegetation on private property (form).
- Redland City Council, 2026-2027 Register of Fees (General Meeting 17 June 2026, amended 19 August 2026).
- Business.gov.au, Tree and vegetation approval, Redland City Council.
- Redland City Council, Council trees, and Trees and vegetation protection (Local Law No. 6).
- Queensland Government, List of exempt clearing work under the Vegetation Management framework (version 1.4, 5 February 2026).
Also: arborist reports, tree removal cost and storm damage tree removal.
