The short version
| If you are... | What applies | Call |
|---|---|---|
| Removing a yard tree at an existing home outside town limits | The county's current tree standards set apart single- and two-family homes on lots already platted | County Planning, (803) 285-6005 |
| Cutting inside a subdivision's tree save area | Prior approval from county planning staff (the code's "Administrator"), except emergency removal of storm damage or an imminent hazard | County Planning, (803) 285-6005 |
| Cutting a tree in a state road's right-of-way | SCDOT's permission, through an encroachment permit | SCDOT Lancaster County office, (803) 283-3397 |
| Living inside a town | Ask the town before a big removal | City of Lancaster (803) 283-2489; Heath Springs (803) 273-2066; Kershaw (803) 475-6065; Van Wyck (803) 712-4993 |
| Burning brush inside the City of Lancaster | Fire Department permit, October 1 to April 30 only | (803) 283-4385 |
| Burning brush outside town limits | Notify the SC Forestry Commission first | 1-800-705-8610 |
| Grinding a stump | An SC811 locate request at least three business days ahead | 811 |
Lancaster County's tree rules today
Outside the city and the towns, tree rules sit in the county's Unified Development Ordinance. Chapter 7 of the version on the county's website opens its landscaping and screening section with an applicability matrix. Its row for new construction carries an exception for "Single-Family and Two-Family Dwellings on Previously Platted Lots," so the county's landscaping and tree standards are aimed at development projects, not at an owner taking down a tree behind an existing house.
The same chapter explains tree save areas. Developers can preserve stands of trees, meeting a minimum density, to earn credits and plant less. Inside a tree save area, the code says, all tree removal needs prior approval from county planning staff, the office the code calls the "Administrator." Trees in poor health can be removed once that staff agrees, and emergency removal because of storm damage or an imminent hazard needs no prior approval. If your subdivision has a wooded buffer or common area, find out whether it's a tree save area before anyone cuts there.
The 2026 rewrite
The county has been replacing that ordinance. WRHI reported on September 3, 2026 that County Council voted unanimously to approve first reading of Ordinance 2026-2059, which would repeal and replace the development code. The county's update page listed later readings for October 12 and October 26, and its FAQ said the new code was scheduled for adoption about when the county's development moratorium expires in November 2026. This site couldn't confirm the final vote or the date the new code takes effect.
The FAQ says some developments will be subject to tree preservation (Section 4.5), and that uses and structures legally established under the current rules can continue without any changes. It doesn't say whether Section 4.5 reaches a homeowner removing a tree from an existing lot. Before a large removal, call County Planning at (803) 285-6005 and ask two questions: is the new code in effect, and does its tree section apply to my lot?
The city and the towns
The City of Lancaster, Heath Springs, Kershaw and Van Wyck each govern their own land. The City of Lancaster pages read for this site show no permit for a homeowner removing a tree on a private lot, but they don't rule one out either, so call City Hall at (803) 283-2489 before taking down a big tree near the street or sidewalk. In Heath Springs call Town Hall at (803) 273-2066, in Kershaw (803) 475-6065, and in Van Wyck (803) 712-4993.
Trees along the road
A tree near the road may stand on public right-of-way rather than your lot. SCDOT requires an encroachment permit, its permission to work within an SCDOT-maintained right-of-way. For a tree beside a state road, start with the department's Lancaster County maintenance office at 1730 Pageland Highway, (803) 283-3397, or the statewide line, 855-GO-SCDOT (855-467-2368). On county-maintained roads, Lancaster County Public Works lists tree removal among its road maintenance jobs; call (803) 283-2101.
Trees near power lines
Duke Energy says pruning near power lines should be left to qualified professionals, and that the property owner has primary responsibility for keeping the service line to the house clear. It will disconnect a service drop so a tree beside it can be worked on, then reconnect it. The county's utilities page says Duke serves 85 percent of properties in the county, and it names two member-owned co-ops as well: Lynches River Electric Cooperative and York Electric Cooperative. Call whichever provider is named on your bill before work near any line.
Burning inside the City of Lancaster
The City of Lancaster Fire Department's FAQ is short and clear:
- Call (803) 283-4385 for a burn permit. The FAQ says the city doesn't charge for burn permits.
- Permits are valid from October 1 to April 30. Burning isn't allowed in May, June, July, August or September.
- The FAQ adds that only wood in its natural state may be burned.
- A statewide burning ban applies in the city with no local exceptions.
Burning outside town limits
Outside city and town limits, South Carolina issues notifications rather than permits. The Forestry Commission's burning page says state law requires citizens to notify the Commission before burning outdoors, and that this applies only to unincorporated areas. You can notify online through the Commission's website, or by calling the Commission's line for your county; for Lancaster County it's 1-800-705-8610, where you leave your name, address and phone number after the message.
For a residential yard debris burn, the Commission lists four conditions:
- Burn only vegetation, such as leaves, limbs and branches.
- Clear a firebreak around the pile.
- Have equipment on hand to control the fire.
- Stay with the fire until it's completely safe.
The state's air quality rule, SC DES Regulation 61-62.2, allows open burning of leaves, tree branches and yard trimmings that come from a private residence when they're burned on that same property. It doesn't excuse anyone from local ordinances. The DES open burning page lists what's never legal to burn, including paper and cardboard, roofing materials, tires, plastics and paint, and says burn barrels for garbage are illegal. Land clearing burns follow stricter state conditions, including a distance of at least 1,000 feet from public roads and from homes, businesses and industrial sites on other property, and they aren't allowed in predominantly residential areas.
Burning bans
A burning ban overrides all of the above. In spring 2026 the Forestry Commission put two statewide bans in place: one that ran from March 27 until it was lifted at 7 a.m. on March 30, and a second that began April 17, covering yard debris and other outdoor burning in unincorporated areas. Nineteen counties, York and Chester among them, were released on April 29 and 30, but Lancaster County wasn't on either list; the ban ended here when the Commission lifted it for all counties at 7 a.m. on Friday, May 1. Bans can come with little warning in dry, windy weather, so check the Forestry Commission's website the day you plan to burn.
Leaves, limbs and pickup
- City of Lancaster. Under City Code Sec. 30-102, the special leaf season typically runs from mid-November to mid-March, with dates announced by the city. During the season, leaves go at the curb, kept apart from other material and clear of mailboxes, trees, traffic and storm drains. The rest of the year, leaves are bagged and set by the road. The city's FAQ mentions a knuckle-boom truck for bulk items but gives no limb sizes; ask Solid Waste at (803) 286-8471 whether it will take tree limbs, and how much.
- Kershaw. The town's yard debris page says limbs must be cut to no more than 5 feet long and 6 inches around, placed between the curb and the sidewalk, with no more than 10 cubic yards a week. Limbs go out for Monday and Tuesday collection; leaves follow the same mid-November to mid-March season.
- Outside town limits. No curbside pickup. The county's solid waste page lists its convenience sites but doesn't say what yard waste they accept; call the county at (803) 285-1565. For tree jobs, have hauling or chipping written into the contractor's price.
Before any digging
Stump grinding and root digging work below the surface. SC811 asks homeowners to submit a locate request at least three business days before digging, not counting the day of the request, weekends or holidays. File online or call 811. See stump grinding.
Rules questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree from my yard?
The county and city pages read for this site list no tree removal permit for an existing home on a platted lot. Call County Planning or your town hall if you're unsure, especially once the new county code takes effect.
Can I burn leaves in the city in the summer?
No. The Fire Department's permits run October 1 through April 30, and burning isn't allowed from May through September.
I live in the county. Do I need a burn permit?
South Carolina uses notification instead. Notify the Forestry Commission online or at 1-800-705-8610 before you burn, follow its four conditions, and check for a burning ban first.
Can the tree contractor burn the brush at my house?
The residential exception in the state rule covers yard trimmings from the residence burned on that property, and the same notice and ban rules apply. Ask the contractor whether they plan to burn, chip or haul, and put it in writing.
This site passes each request to one independent contractor who works in Lancaster County. It doesn't issue permits or do tree work.
- Lancaster County, Unified Development Ordinance Chapter 7 (sections 7.1.1 and 7.1.2); 2026 Unified Development Ordinance FAQ; Future UDO Update page. WRHI, September 3, 2026. Read November 2026.
- City of Lancaster, Fire Department FAQ and Solid Waste FAQ. Town of Kershaw, Yard Debris. Municipal Association of South Carolina, town listings for Heath Springs, Kershaw and Van Wyck.
- SC Forestry Commission, Fire and Burning; How to Notify. SC DES, Regulation 61-62.2 and Open Burning page. Tega Cay Sun, March 30, 2026; Forestry Commission burning ban release, April 16, 2026; Live 5 News, April 28, 2026; WACH, April 29, 2026; WTOC, April 30, 2026.
- SCDOT, Encroachment Permits; County Offices. Lancaster County Public Works, Roads & Bridges; Solid Waste & Recycling; Utilities. Duke Energy, Trees and Rights-of-Way FAQ; Trees and Safety. SC811, Homeowners.