--- title: Tahoe Tree Permits on the Nevada Side: TRPA Rules url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/tahoe-nevada-side-tree-permits-2026/ business: Battle Born Tree Service address: 6301 US Highway 50 East, Carson City, NV 89701 phone: 775.232.8243 hours: Office Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm; phones answered seven days a week; 24-hour emergency service credentials: ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff; Nevada Business License # 20131580674; fully insured type: Tree service (removal, crane work, pruning, stump grinding, defensible space, snow removal, firewood) --- - [Home](https://battleborntreeservice.com/) - [Blog](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/) - Tahoe tree permits on the Nevada side in 2026 # Do you need a permit to remove a tree on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe? Often yes. The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requires a permit to remove a live tree larger than 14 inches in diameter at breast height, and 6 inches for trees between the house and the lake on lakeshore lots. The agency decides whether a permit is needed and whether it is granted. Key takeaways - Live tree over 14 inches DBH needs a TRPA permit; 6 inches between the house and the lake on lakeshore lots. - A dead tree that could fall on a house needs no TRPA permit. - Removing branches from the upper two-thirds of a tree also needs a permit, with listed exceptions. - Fire districts issue defensible space tree permits after a free evaluation. This post covers the Nevada side only: Incline Village, Crystal Bay, Glenbrook, Zephyr Cove, Stateline and Kingsbury. Rules change, so confirm with TRPA or your fire district before work. ## What is the 14-inch rule? TRPA's Trees and Defensible Space page says a permit is needed to remove live trees over 14 inches diameter at breast height (DBH), measured 4.5 feet above the ground. On lakeshore lots, the limit is over 6 inches for trees between the house and the lake. Some trees need a permit at any size, such as trees planted or kept under a previous permit and trees in a Stream Environment Zone or backshore area. ## How do you measure DBH? Find 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the trunk, wrap a tape around the trunk at that height and divide the circumference by 3.14. A 14-inch diameter is about 44 inches around. Our guide on [the 14-inch rule and how to measure DBH](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tahoe-tree-removal-permits-dbh/) has more. ## What about dead trees? TRPA says no permit is needed to remove a dead tree that could fall on a house. A conifer counts as dead if it has no green needles, while a deciduous tree must be confirmed dead by a qualified forester. For a dead tree away from a house, contact a TRPA forester to ask whether a permit is required. ## Does pruning need a permit too? Yes, in one case. TRPA requires a permit to remove branches from the upper two-thirds of a tree's total height. The listed exceptions are branches within 10 feet of a chimney outlet, building or deck, branches that rub or pull on utility lines within your property (consult your power company first), and dead branches. ## Who issues the permit? TRPA issues permits, and a TRPA forester visits the property and issues a permit for the marked trees. For defensible space removals, the local fire protection agency may issue the permit: the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District for Incline Village and Crystal Bay, and the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District for the Nevada south shore. Unless your agreement says otherwise, the property owner is responsible for the permit. The agency decides, not a tree company. See the broader [permits guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-removal-permits-northern-nevada/) for Reno, Sparks and Carson City. ## How does Battle Born fit in? We work the Nevada side of the lake. We can help you measure, tell you which agency covers your property and what it usually asks for, and do the cutting once the permit is in hand. A certified arborist assesses every job before work begins, and Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff, including ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A. Trees at Tahoe are often large; see [crane-assisted removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/crane-assisted-tree-removal/) and [Incline Village](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/incline-village/). Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) for a free estimate. Plan ahead, because a permit visit comes first and work second. Gather your address, a photo of each tree and its measured diameter before you call, and tell the agency if a tree is dead, leaning or near a structure. Do not remove a tree first and ask later. If a permit is denied or conditions are attached, the agency's decision stands, and a tree company can only work within it. ### Sources - [Tahoe Regional Planning Agency: Trees and Defensible Space](https://www.trpa.gov/trees-and-defensible-space/) (read October 1, 2026) - [North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District: Defensible Space](https://nltfpd.org/en-us/defensible-space) (read October 17, 2026) ### Talk to the office [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243) | Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | |---|---| | Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered | Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service. [Free estimate](#quote) ### Keep reading - [Tahoe tree removal permits: the 14-inch rule and how to measure DBH](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tahoe-tree-removal-permits-dbh/) - [Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Northern Nevada?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-removal-permits-northern-nevada/) - [Free defensible space evaluations and chipping programs by fire district](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/free-defensible-space-evaluations-chipping/) - [Incline Village](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/incline-village/) - [Zephyr Cove](https://battleborntreeservice.com/service-areas/zephyr-cove/) - [Tree removal](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/tree-removal/) ### Terms on this page [TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency)](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/trpa/) [DBH (diameter at breast height)](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/dbh/) [Stream environment zone (SEZ)](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/stream-environment-zone/) [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [The full glossary](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/) ## More from the blog Pruning and care October 17, 2026 5 min read ### What should you do with your trees in October in Carson City and Reno? In October, finish watering while the ground is open, look over your trees for dead or hanging limbs, and clear leaves and needles away from the house. Save most live-wood pruning for the dormant seas Pruning and care October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Young trees in new subdivisions: the first ten years A young tree in a new subdivision needs very little pruning in its first two or three years, then steady structural pruning to build one strong central trunk and well-spaced branches. The ISA says tre Removal and equipment October 17, 2026 6 min read ### Where tree debris and green waste go in Reno and Carson City Green waste has a few legitimate homes in our area: the landfill or transfer station if the load is only wood and green waste, a fire district drop-off day or curbside chipping program if you qualify, [All posts](https://battleborntreeservice.com/blog/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775.232.8243](tel:775.232.8243). Phones are answered seven days a week. ### Do I need a permit to remove a dead pine at Tahoe? TRPA says no permit is needed for a dead tree that could fall on a house. For other dead trees, ask a TRPA forester. ### Does the rule apply on the California side? TRPA covers the whole basin, but Battle Born works the Nevada side only. California has separate contractor licensing rules. ### Who is responsible for getting the permit? Unless your agreement says otherwise, the property owner is. ### Can I get a defensible space tree permit from the fire district? TRPA says defensible space removals may be permitted by the local fire protection agency after an evaluation. Call the district for your address.