Local rules · checked Nov 12, 2026

Tree permits, 811 and brush rules around Chattanooga

The short version: you rarely need a permit for a tree on your own lot, you do for City trees, and the crew must call 811 before grinding stumps. Each rule below links its official source.

Tree permits

Chattanooga: a Tree Ordinance Permit is required to plant, prune, remove or otherwise affect a tree in the public right-of-way or on City property (Sec. 32-312). It's valid for two years. The City says the 2025 ordinance "does not prohibit homeowners from removing trees on private property."
Lookout Mountain, TN: Town Code Sec. 17-110 requires anyone doing tree trimming, landscaping or brush removal in town to get a Town permit, renewed each January 1.

Power lines (EPB)

EPB prunes trees that threaten primary lines to at least 10 feet of clearance and removes trees growing directly under its lines at no charge. The service line from the pole to your house is the owner's responsibility; EPB lowers and reinstalls it for free while your contractor works. Phone: 423-648-1372.

Call 811 before stump grinding

Tennessee 811: at least 3 working days' notice (not counting weekends and holidays), required by TCA 65-31-101 for homeowners and companies alike; each company digging needs its own ticket, valid 15 days. Dial 811 or 800-351-1111.
Georgia 811: at least 3 business days before digging.

Burning brush (Hamilton County)

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Air Pollution Control Bureau allows seasonal burning with a permit from October 1 to April 30. County permit ($15): Lakesite, Lookout Mountain, Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, Walden and unincorporated Hamilton County. City permit ($75, inspection first): Chattanooga, Collegedale, East Ridge, Red Bank and Ridgeside. Piles can't be bigger than 8 x 8 x 8 feet, material is limited to 12 inches in diameter, and stumps may not be burned.

Brush pickup limits by town

Town	Size limits	Other rules
Chattanooga city limits (incl. North Shore)	Pieces up to 8 ft long and 18 in diameter; pile up to 4 ft high	Area sweeps; curb by 7 a.m. Monday of your week; 12 pickups per 12 months; no land clearing or contractor brush
Signal Mountain	About 10 ft lengths, up to 10 in diameter	Continuous route (2 to 4 weeks); no stumps; no contractor brush; keep it on your property, out of the right-of-way
Lookout Mountain, TN	Limbs up to 2 in diameter and 8 ft; pile up to 8 x 4 x 4 ft	No contractor brush; after storms, Town won't remove trunks of fallen trees
Red Bank	4 ft sections recommended	Request via Citizen Portal; 3 pickups per calendar year; no contractor brush
East Ridge	Branches over 6 in diameter cut into 18 in sections	Keep brush and leaves separate
Fort Oglethorpe, GA	No limbs over 4 in diameter or 5 ft long	Every other week for non-business homeowners; no stumps; not when contracted work is done

Drop-off in Chattanooga: the City's Wood Recycling Center, 3925 North Hawthorne Street (Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), per the Air Pollution Control Bureau.

Sources

Prices are national ranges published by the sources above, not quotes. Your price depends on the tree, access and timing; local companies quote after seeing the job.