Free guide
Council garden rules on the North Shore
Links to the council and NSW Government pages on trees, weeds, green waste, nature strips, bushfire, heritage, free plants and Bushcare, for each North Shore council, with a one-line note on each.
- Big tree? Check your council's tree rules before you prune or remove it.
- Near bushland? Check the 10/50 tool and bushfire prone land map first.
- Heritage street? Ask Council before big changes such as removing hedges or front fences.
- Digging or building a garden wall? Check exempt development rules and Before You Dig first.
- Weeds? You have a legal duty to stop them spreading. NSW WeedWise says how.
Jump to: Ku-ring-gai · Hornsby · Willoughby · Lane Cove · North Sydney · Mosman · NSW-wide rules · FAQ
Your rates notice shows which council you're in, or see service areas.
Ku-ring-gai Council
Covers Roseville, Lindfield, Killara, Gordon, Pymble, Turramurra, St Ives, Wahroonga. Gardening in this area · Council website
Trees: pruning and removal permits
- Trees on your property: Which trees are protected, when you need Council approval to prune or remove one, and how to apply.
- Bushfire protection rules for trees: How the bushfire clearing rules and the tree rules fit together.
Weeds and biosecurity
- Weeds: Common local weeds, how to spot them and how to get rid of them.
Green waste and bulky garden pick-ups
- Waste services for houses: What goes in your green waste bin and when it is collected.
- Book a Council clean-up: Booking a kerbside clean-up for things that won't fit in your bins.
Verges and nature strips
- Verge gardens: Council's guide to planting a garden on your verge.
- Private use of nature strip: When you need Council's OK before changing or using the nature strip.
Bushfire-prone land and 10/50
- Bushfire prone land: Council's bushfire prone land map and what it means for your property.
Heritage conservation areas
- Heritage conservation areas: Which streets are in a heritage conservation area, and what that means for changes to your house and garden.
Free plants and garden programs
- Grow native garden visit: Council's home garden advice visit for growing local natives.
- Wildflower Nursery (online): Local native plants grown by Council's own nursery.
Bushcare and volunteering
- Bushcare: Join a local Bushcare group and help look after bushland near you.
Pools and small garden works
- Exempt and complying development: Which small works can go ahead without a development application, and which need approval.
- Swimming pools: Pool safety and pool barrier rules (worth knowing before planting near a pool fence).
Hornsby Shire Council
Covers Wahroonga (Hornsby side) and the wider Hornsby Shire. Gardening in this area · Council website
Trees: pruning and removal permits
- Trees on private property: Hornsby's tree rules and when you need a permit.
- Tree prune and removal decision tool: Answer a few questions to see whether your tree work needs approval.
Weeds and biosecurity
- Weeds: Local weeds and how to control them.
- Native and weed look-alikes: Tell local natives apart from the weeds that look like them.
Green waste and bulky garden pick-ups
- What can I put in my bins?: What garden waste goes in the green-lid bin.
- Bulky waste collection: Booking a bulky waste pick-up, including what is accepted.
- Chipping for mulch: Council's service for turning larger prunings into mulch.
Verges and nature strips
Hornsby does not appear to have a verge garden page. Ask Council before planting on the nature strip.
Bushfire-prone land and 10/50
- Fire management: Council's bushfire information, including getting your property ready.
- Development on bush fire prone land: What extra rules apply when you build on bushfire prone land.
Heritage conservation areas
- Heritage conservation areas: Hornsby's heritage conservation areas.
- What can I do to my property?: What you can change on a heritage property, and what needs approval.
Free plants and garden programs
- Native Plant Giveaways: Free local native plants for residents at set times of year.
- Warada Ngurang Community Nursery: Council's community nursery growing local native plants.
Bushcare and volunteering
- Bushcare: Join a Bushcare group in Hornsby Shire.
Pools and small garden works
- Swimming pools: Pool safety and pool barrier rules.
Willoughby City Council
Covers Chatswood, Willoughby, Castlecrag, Northbridge, Artarmon, Naremburn. Gardening in this area · Council website
Trees: pruning and removal permits
- Trees on your property: When you need a permit to prune or remove a tree, and what Council looks at.
- Apply to prune or remove a tree: Council's online tree permit application.
Weeds and biosecurity
- Weeds: Local weeds, free advice on removal and how to report them.
Green waste and bulky garden pick-ups
- Vegetation bin: What garden waste goes in your vegetation bin.
- Kerbside bulky waste clean-up collections: Clean-ups for bundled prunings and other bulky garden waste.
Verges and nature strips
- Nature strip maintenance and planting: How to get Council's OK for a nature strip garden.
Bushfire-prone land and 10/50
For bushfire-prone land and 10/50, use the state tools below (NSW RFS).
Heritage conservation areas
- Heritage Conservation Areas: Willoughby's heritage conservation areas and what they mean for changes.
Free plants and garden programs
- Native plants: Local native plant information from Council.
- Bush Friendly Backyards: Council guidance and a local plant list for wildlife-friendly gardens.
Bushcare and volunteering
- Bushcare: Willoughby's free Bushcare volunteer program.
Lane Cove Council
Covers Lane Cove, Longueville, Riverview, Greenwich. Gardening in this area · Council website
Trees: pruning and removal permits
- Trees on private land: Lane Cove's rules for trees on your property.
- Tree Preservation Order: Which trees are protected and what needs a permit.
Weeds and biosecurity
- Weeds: Weed control and removal techniques.
- Common weeds in Lane Cove: The weeds you are most likely to find locally.
Green waste and bulky garden pick-ups
- Garden waste: How to get rid of garden waste in Lane Cove.
Verges and nature strips
- Nature strips: mowing, planting and landscaping policy: Council's policy on planting and landscaping nature strips.
Bushfire-prone land and 10/50
- Bushfire protection: Bushfire information for homes near bushland.
- Bushfire protection rules for trees: How bushfire clearing rules apply to trees.
Heritage conservation areas
Check whether your property is a heritage item or in a conservation area on the NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer (below).
Free plants and garden programs
- Backyard Habitat Program: A council program to help you create habitat in your garden.
- Community Nursery: Council's community nursery for local native plants.
Bushcare and volunteering
- Bushcare: Join a Bushcare group in Lane Cove.
Pools and small garden works
- Exempt and complying development: Which small works can go ahead without a development application.
North Sydney Council
Covers Neutral Bay, Cremorne, Cammeray, Crows Nest, Kirribilli, Waverton. Gardening in this area · Council website
Trees: pruning and removal permits
- Trees on private land: When you need Council approval for tree work on your property.
Weeds and biosecurity
- Biosecurity and weeds: Weeds Council asks residents to control, and your biosecurity duty.
Green waste and bulky garden pick-ups
- Book a garden waste pick-up: Booking a pick-up for garden waste.
- Green garden waste bin: Getting a green garden waste bin.
Verges and nature strips
- Trees on public land: Street trees and nature strips are Council land: check before planting or pruning.
- Streets Alive: Council's volunteer program for greening streets and small public spaces.
Bushfire-prone land and 10/50
- Developments in bushfire prone areas: Extra rules for building work on bushfire prone land.
Heritage conservation areas
- Heritage property protections and regulations: What heritage listing or a conservation area means for your property.
Free plants and garden programs
- Native Havens: Free local native plants and habitat help for gardens, balconies and courtyards.
Bushcare and volunteering
- Bushcare: Join a Bushcare group in North Sydney.
Pools and small garden works
- Exempt developments: Small works that don't need a development application.
- Dividing fences and retaining walls: Council information on boundary fences and retaining walls.
- Register a swimming pool or spa: Pool registration and pool safety.
Mosman Council
Covers Mosman, Spit Junction, Balmoral, Clifton Gardens. Gardening in this area · Council website
Trees: pruning and removal permits
- Trees: Mosman's tree rules and how to apply for tree work.
Weeds and biosecurity
- Weeds, pests and nuisance native animals: Local weeds and what Council asks residents to do.
Green waste and bulky garden pick-ups
- Household green waste: Your green waste bin and garden waste.
- Household clean up: Booking a household clean-up collection.
Verges and nature strips
- Nature strip gardening: Council information on planting nature strips, and how to apply.
Bushfire-prone land and 10/50
- Fire management in bushland areas: How Council manages fire risk in local bushland.
Heritage conservation areas
- Heritage: Mosman's heritage items and conservation areas.
- Heritage works without consent: Minor works you may be able to do on a heritage property without approval.
Free plants and garden programs
- Guide to native plant species for Mosman gardens (PDF): Council's list of local natives for Mosman gardens.
- How to improve Mosman's biodiversity: Simple things you can do in your garden for local wildlife.
Bushcare and volunteering
- Bushcare volunteers: Join a Bushcare group in Mosman.
Pools and small garden works
- Swimming pool safety: Pool barrier and safety rules.
NSW-wide rules (every council)
These state rules apply wherever you live on the North Shore.
- NSW WeedWise: Look up any weed: what it looks like, how to control it and what the law says about it in your area.
- Your general biosecurity duty (NSW Government): Everyone who owns or looks after land has a legal duty to stop weeds and pests spreading. This page explains it simply.
- NSW RFS: check if you're in a 10/50 area: Check whether the 10/50 bushfire clearing rule applies to your address. The result only counts for the day you check.
- NSW RFS: check if you're on bush fire prone land: Look up whether your block is mapped as bushfire prone.
- NSW Planning Portal: earthworks, retaining walls and structural supports: The state rules for when small earthworks and retaining walls are exempt development (no approval needed), and when they are not.
- NSW Planning Portal spatial viewer: A map that shows your property's zoning, heritage listings and other planning controls.
- Sydney Water: Water Wise Guidelines: The everyday rules for watering your garden in Sydney.
- Before You Dig Australia (BYDA): Free check for underground pipes and cables before you dig, plant a tree or build a garden wall.
Common questions
Do I need council approval to prune or remove a tree?
Often, yes. Every North Shore council has its own tree rules, and many trees on private land are protected. Check your council's tree page (linked on this page) before you start, and ask Council if you are unsure.
Can I plant a garden on my nature strip?
In most areas you need Council's OK first, because the nature strip is Council land. Each council's verge or nature strip page explains how to ask.
What is the 10/50 rule?
In designated areas near bushland, the NSW Rural Fire Service 10/50 scheme lets landowners clear some vegetation near their home without approval. Use the NSW RFS online tool on the day you plan to clear to check whether it applies to your address.
Do I need approval for a small garden wall?
It depends on the wall and your block. NSW has state rules for when small earthworks and retaining walls are exempt development. Check the NSW Planning Portal page and your council before you build. I'm not a certifier, so check approvals with your council.
Who do I report weeds to?
Your local council is the local control authority for weeds. Your council's weeds page and NSW WeedWise explain which weeds must be reported and how.
RF Horticulture is an independent business. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any council, the NSW Government or any other organisation linked on this page.
Get in touch for a quote
I can look at your garden, flag the trees, bushland or heritage rules that might matter, and tell you what to check with Council before any work starts. I'm not a certifier, so approvals always go through your council. Quotes for garden care, pruning and planting.