Key takeaways
- Live tree over 14 inches DBH: TRPA permit needed.
- Lakeshore lots: over 6 inches DBH between the house and the lake.
- A dead tree that could fall on a house needs no TRPA permit.
- Removing branches from the upper two-thirds of a tree needs a permit, with listed exceptions.
- Defensible-space permits may come from the local fire protection agency.
The agency decides, and its rules change, so confirm with TRPA before any work. This guide explains the rule as TRPA publishes it, how to measure DBH, and where dead trees and defensible space fit.
When is a TRPA permit needed to remove a tree?
TRPA's Trees and Defensible Space page says a permit is needed to remove live trees over 14 inches DBH when the house is not on the lakeshore. For lakeshore homes, a permit is needed for trees over 6 inches DBH located between the house and the lake. Trees outside that area need a permit only if they are live and over 14 inches DBH.
Some trees need a permit at any size: trees planted or kept as part of a previous permit, and trees located in a Stream Environment Zone or backshore area.
How to measure DBH
- Find 4.5 feet above the ground on the uphill side of the trunk.
- Wrap a tape measure around the trunk at that height to get the circumference.
- Divide the circumference by 3.14 to get the diameter.
TRPA gives an example: a tree with a 14-inch diameter has a circumference of about 43.9 inches. By the same arithmetic, a 6-inch diameter is a circumference of about 18.8 inches. If a tree is close to the line, ask TRPA to confirm rather than rounding your own way.
Do you need a permit to remove a dead tree at Tahoe?
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, but 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. See our guide on dead pines and bark beetles.
Pruning counts too
A permit is also needed 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. See dead wooding explained.
Who issues the permit
TRPA issues permits, and a TRPA forester visits the property and issues a permit for the marked trees. You can apply online through the TRPA portal or use the Tree Removal Application. TRPA's phone number is (775) 589-5294. 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.
The agency decides whether a permit is needed and whether it is granted. Unless your agreement says otherwise, the property owner is responsible for the permit.
Working with us
Battle Born works the Nevada side of the lake: Incline Village, Crystal Bay, Glenbrook, Zephyr Cove, Stateline and Kingsbury. We can tell you which agency covers your property and what it usually asks for, and we can help you measure. A certified arborist assesses every job before work begins. Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff, including ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A. See our Lake Tahoe questions and the broader permits guide.
Sources
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency: Trees and Defensible Space (read October 17, 2026)
- North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District: Defensible Space (read October 17, 2026)