--- title: HOA Tree Rules: What to Check Before You Cut url: https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/hoa-tree-rules/ 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/) - [The Field Guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/) - HOA tree rules: what to check first # What HOA tree rules should you check before removing a tree? Check your homeowners association's governing documents and architectural guidelines before pruning or removing a tree, because many associations require written approval first. An HOA is separate from a city or agency permit, and you may need both. Key takeaways - An HOA approval and a government permit are separate; one does not replace the other. - Look for rules on removal, pruning, replacement and trees in common areas. - Ask for the decision in writing and send it with the estimate request. - The property owner is responsible for approvals unless the job agreement says otherwise. - Trees on common property usually belong to the association, not to you. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Associations differ, and your own documents decide. If the language is unclear, your association or an attorney is the right contact. ## Where do HOA tree rules live? HOA tree rules are usually in the covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), the architectural or landscape guidelines and sometimes the design review forms. Look for terms such as tree removal, landscaping, exterior modification or approved plant list. Some associations require approval to remove any tree, others only trees over a certain size or in a front yard. ## Questions to ask the association - Do I need approval to remove, prune or replace a tree on my lot? - Is the tree on my lot or on common property or a shared slope? - Is there a form, a fee or a review committee, and how long does a decision take? - Must I replace the tree, and are there approved species? - Do you have rules about contractors, insurance certificates or work hours? ## HOA approval and permits are separate Approval from the association does not mean a government agency has approved the work, and the reverse is also true. In the Nevada Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency requires a permit to remove live trees over 14 inches DBH. See [the Tahoe guide](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tahoe-tree-removal-permits-dbh/). In the City of Reno, the City has told residents that no permit is needed to remove, prune or plant a tree on private property, but a Tree Work Permit is required for City right-of-way, and Reno has tree protection rules for development sites. The Truckee Meadows Water Authority summary of local tree ordinances notes that Sparks eliminated its urban forestry program in 2008 and that Reno has a tree protection ordinance for development in Chapter 18.12, Article V of its code. See [Northern Nevada tree removal permits](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-removal-permits-northern-nevada/) for the full list of agencies. ## Who is responsible for approvals on an HOA tree? For a tree on your own lot, the owner is generally responsible for approvals. For a tree on common property, the association generally manages the work, so ask the board or the management company. See [HOAs and property managers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/who-we-serve/hoas-and-property-managers/). The ISA suggests getting the agreement for any tree work in writing and reading it carefully, and Battle Born provides a free estimate before work starts. ## Making your request go smoothly Give the association photos, the tree's location on your lot, the reason for the work and our estimate. If the reason is safety, include what an arborist found. A certified arborist assesses every Battle Born job. Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff, including ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A. We do not prepare HOA applications or issue permits, but we can answer questions about the work itself so your application is clear. ## If the association says no Ask for the reason in writing and ask what alternative the association would accept, such as pruning, cabling or a smaller removal. See [tree trimming and pruning](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/tree-trimming-pruning/) and [cabling and bracing](https://battleborntreeservice.com/tree-services/cabling-bracing/). The decision is the association's, or an attorney's if there is a dispute. ### Sources - [Truckee Meadows Water Authority: Local Tree Ordinances](https://tmwa.com/article/local-tree-ordinances/) (read October 17, 2026) - [Tahoe Regional Planning Agency: Trees and Defensible Space](https://www.trpa.gov/trees-and-defensible-space/) (read October 17, 2026) - [International Society of Arboriculture, Trees Are Good: Why Hire an Arborist](https://www.treesaregood.org/Portals/0/TreesAreGood_Why%20Hire%20An%20Arborist_0321.pdf) (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 - [Tree service for HOAs and property managers](https://battleborntreeservice.com/who-we-serve/hoas-and-property-managers/) - [Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Northern Nevada?](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tree-removal-permits-northern-nevada/) - [Tahoe tree removal permits: the 14-inch rule and how to measure DBH](https://battleborntreeservice.com/guides/tahoe-tree-removal-permits-dbh/) - [Permits and rules questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/permits-and-rules/) - [Commercial, HOA and property managers questions](https://battleborntreeservice.com/faq/commercial-hoa-property-managers/) - [Free estimate](https://battleborntreeservice.com/free-estimate/) ### Terms on this page [DBH (diameter at breast height)](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/dbh/) [Right-of-way](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/right-of-way/) [Arborist](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/arborist/) [TRPA (Tahoe Regional Planning Agency)](https://battleborntreeservice.com/glossary/trpa/) [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 HOA approval to remove a tree on my own lot? Often yes. Check your governing documents and architectural guidelines, or ask the association. ### Does HOA approval cover city permits? No. They are separate. A permit from TRPA or the City, where one applies, is a different approval. ### Who pays for a tree on common property? The association generally manages common property. Ask the board or the management company. ### Does Battle Born work with HOAs and property managers? We have a page for HOAs and property managers. Ask for an estimate and tell us who authorizes the work.