Tree permit rules in the Town of Smithtown
Chapter 285 (Tree Preservation and Land Clearing) protects woody plants over 3" in diameter (measured 3 ft up) and at least 6 ft tall. Residential lots that cannot be further subdivided are generally exempt, and larger lots that could be split are not.
- Covered trees: over 3" diameter at 3 ft above ground and 6 ft+ tall.
- Key question: can your lot be subdivided under Smithtown zoning? If yes, a permit is likely required.
- Applications go to the Town Clerk. Expect roughly 10–20 days.
- Violations can bring fines of up to $10,000.
Official source: Town of Smithtown Code, Chapter 285: Trees . Compare all towns in our Long Island permit guide.
Villages with their own tree laws: Village of the Branch, Head of the Harbor, Nissequogue. If one of these is on your tax bill, its rules apply.
Trees, pests and problems we see in Smithtown
Mature oaks, hickories, maples and tulip poplars along the Nissequogue River corridor, in St. James and in Kings Park, with white and pitch pines toward Hauppauge. Big, old hardwoods mean big, dense stumps.
Soil, weather and storm exposure
North Shore hills slope to the Nissequogue River and Smithtown Bay, and river-corridor and waterfront parcels may carry extra protections. Inland Hauppauge and Nesconset are flatter, with sandy soils.
Homes, lots and access
Half-acre to acre lots in St. James and Head of the Harbor, and 1960s–70s colonials and high-ranches in Nesconset, Kings Park and Smithtown. Larger lots are exactly the ones Chapter 285 is most likely to cover.
What drives the price in Smithtown
The work itself is priced like the rest of the North Shore, but Smithtown's paperwork risk is higher. Budget time for the Town Clerk process, and don't let a contractor talk you into skipping it.
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 Smithtown
- 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
- Smithtown
- Kings Park
- St. James
- Nesconset
- Hauppauge
- Commack (part)
- Fort Salonga (part)
- San Remo
Smithtown tree removal FAQ
Does Smithtown's tree law apply to my backyard?
It depends on whether your residential lot could be subdivided under town zoning. Lots that can't be split are generally exempt. Larger lots usually aren't. When in doubt, ask the Town Clerk before cutting.
What's the fine for removing a tree without a permit in Smithtown?
Up to $10,000 under Chapter 285, plus potential restoration requirements.
Do Head of the Harbor or Nissequogue follow Smithtown rules?
No. They're incorporated villages with their own codes.
