Tree care guide from Little Rock, phones answered 24/7
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Little Rock?
Most Little Rock homeowners can remove a tree on their own lot without a city permit. The exceptions are trees in the public right-of-way or on city property, trees in required landscape buffers, and anything near power lines.
By Merle Shackelford, Tree Care Guides Editor · Updated October 2026
Short answer
In Little Rock, the city code requires a permit to remove any tree in the public right-of-way or on city property, and it does not require preservation of private trees outside required land-use buffers. So a tree on your own lot usually needs no city permit, while a street tree between the sidewalk and the curb usually does. Neighborhood associations may have their own rules, and trees near power lines are the utility's business.
What the city code says
Little Rock's landscaping and tree protection rules require a permit to remove any tree in the public right-of-way or on city property, and they exempt utility line maintenance. Private trees outside required land-use buffers are not required to be preserved, which is why most backyard removals go ahead without a city permit.
Is your tree in the right-of-way?
The public right-of-way often extends past the curb and sidewalk into what looks like your front yard. Trees in the strip between the sidewalk and the street are the usual case. If you are not sure where your property line is, a plat or survey will show it, and we will point out a tree that looks like it sits on the city side.
Neighborhood associations and historic districts
Some neighborhoods have their own rules on removing trees, separate from the city's. If you live in a neighborhood with an association or covenants, check them before scheduling a removal; many only need a short form. We are happy to describe the work for an application.
Questions about a tree in Little Rock? The crew line is answered around the clock.
Call (501) 439-8373Trees near power lines
Entergy maintains vegetation near its own lines, and University of Arkansas extension guidance is never to remove branches or trees from utility lines yourself. If a tree is in contact with a line, the utility needs to be involved first. Service drops to the house are a different situation, and we will tell you which is which.
Before any digging
Stump removal, root pruning and planting all involve digging. Arkansas asks that Arkansas One Call be contacted at 811 before digging, so buried lines are marked first.
Outside Little Rock
North Little Rock, the suburbs and both sides of Texarkana each set their own rules, and they change. If your tree is near a street or on public land anywhere in our area, check with that city before work starts. We will tell you what we know and never cut a tree that clearly needs a permit without one.
Related services
Services this guide touches on
Tree Removal
Dead Tree Removal and more.
More on tree removalService-Line Clearance Trimming
Limbs on the Service Drop to the House and more.
Service-Line Clearance Trimming in Little RockStump Removal
Full Root-Ball Excavation and more.
Need stump removal?
Straight answers
Questions readers ask
Usually not, unless it is in a required landscape buffer.
Trees in the public right-of-way or on city property.
Trees between the sidewalk and the street usually are; a plat or survey shows the line.
Some associations have their own rules. Check your covenants first.
No. Contact the utility first; extension guidance is never to do it yourself.
Arkansas asks that Arkansas One Call be contacted at 811 before digging.
Each city sets its own rules. Check with the city for trees near streets or on public land.
Not sure whether your tree needs a permit?
Call any hour. We will look at where it stands and tell you what to check.