“Where to apply for a permit if it concerns tree felling or branch trimming? And is it the responsibility of the company that physically provides the service of tree removal or branch trimming to also remove (take away) the cut branches (or the felled tree) after providing the service? A reader of the portal bb.lv”
Denis GORBA, lawyer of the Latvian Human Rights Committee:
– Strict rules apply in Latvia regarding tree felling and branch trimming. Unauthorized actions can lead to huge fines (up to several thousand euros for a single tree) and the obligation to compensate for environmental damage. If an old tree protected by the state is cut down, one may face criminal charges and even imprisonment.
The procedure, according to the Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 309 “Rules for Tree Felling Outside Forests” and the regulations of the Riga municipality, is as follows:
First of all, one must apply for a permit (if the tree is located in Riga) to the Department of Urban Development of the Riga City Council (Rīgas valstspilsētas pašvaldības Pilsētas attīstības departaments).
The landowner or an authorized person (for example, the building manager based on the residents' decision) submits an application to the Department.
An arborist (tree specialist) from the municipality arrives on site to assess the condition of the tree (sick, hazardous, obstructing utilities, etc.). If the tree is healthy and valuable, the municipality may schedule a public discussion so that neighbors can express their opinions. The final decision is made by a special commission.
If permission is granted to fell a healthy tree – for example, because it obstructs construction – a fee for biodiversity loss must be paid. No fee is usually charged for hazardous or dead trees.
For trimming branches with a diameter at the cut point of less than 20 cm, permission from the municipality is generally not required (unless it affects more than 20% of the crown). However, trimming must be done professionally to avoid harming the tree. Improper trimming (known as “topping”) can legally be equated to damaging the tree, resulting in an appropriate fine.
Regarding whether the company is obliged to remove the cuttings: the service of tree felling and the service of waste removal (cuttings) are technically different actions. In Latvian practice, there are two options for formalizing relationships:
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A “turnkey” contract: if the contract with the contractor (or the manager's assignment) clearly states the clause: “Removal and disposal of branches and trunk,” then it is their direct obligation.
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If the estimate only specifies felling, then the branches remain the property of the landowner. In this case, their removal must be organized either by the owner themselves or by the building manager for an additional fee.
In practice, in apartment buildings: if the tree is felled by the manager using their own resources or through a contractor, they are obliged to ensure order in accordance with the Riga City Council's rules on mandatory territory maintenance. Leaving piles of branches in the yard for an extended period is not allowed – this constitutes a violation of sanitary norms.
Recommendations
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To obtain a permit, contact the Department of Urban Development (Pilsētas attīstības departaments).
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Before starting work, if you hire a company yourself, make sure that the contract/estimate includes the line “izvešana” (removal). If the work is ordered by the manager, demand a removal schedule from them immediately after felling.
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Remember that during the bird nesting period (usually from April 15 to June 30), tree felling in Latvia is generally prohibited, except in clearly emergency situations.
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If the tree is in an emergency state (rotten, leaning, and threatening to fall on a parking lot or pedestrians), be sure to take photographic evidence and call the construction inspection or municipal police to draw up an emergency report – this will expedite the permit process.
