Tree removal in Montebello: what is different here
Montebello is a large-lot, heavily wooded village in the Town of Ramapo, north of Suffern and Airmont and west of Wesley Hills, with Village Hall on Montebello Road and Kakiat County Park along the Mahwah River. Homes sit on one- to two-acre lots and larger, many of them in subdivisions with conservation easements that keep part of each lot in its natural state.
The village says plainly that it intends to keep its rural, wooded look, and its tree law is one of the strictest in Rockland: nearly every tree needs a permit, the number you can take is capped, and the crew you hire must be on the village's list of licensed tree contractors. If you are planning anything beyond removing a dead tree, start with Village Hall.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Montebello?
Private yard trees: Montebello's Tree Preservation and Landscape Maintenance Law (Chapter 176) covers any tree with a caliper of 4 inches or more measured 4 feet from the ground. No tree that size may be removed without a permit. With a permit, an owner may remove as of right one tree per 10,000 sq ft of lot in each two-year period, but no more than 8 trees in two years or 12 in six years. Dead trees, or trees likely to be dead within a year, can be removed without limit, but you must prove it (for example with an arborist's report) to get the permit. Tree removal for construction is handled separately.
Contractor rule: any tree removed by someone other than the owner must be removed by a tree contractor licensed within the Village; Village Hall keeps the list. Conservation easements: on many lots only dead, fallen-threatening trees may be removed from the easement area, and nothing may be dumped or planted there.
Penalties: owners can be fined up to $1,000 per offense, up to $20,000 per lot; a contractor up to $10,000, with license revocation.
Where to ask: Village of Montebello, Village Hall, One Montebello Road, Montebello NY 10901, (845) 368-2211. The tree removal permit application is on the village website's Forms and Applications page.
Source: Village of Montebello, Tree Preservation page summarizing Chapter 176 "Tree Preservation and Landscape Maintenance Law" (including § 176-7 penalties); read October 2026. Confirm current rules before work starts; ordinances change.
Common tree problems in Montebello
- Dead ash and hemlock. Emerald ash borer and hemlock woolly adelgid have killed many trees in the village's woods; these qualify for the dead-tree route with proof.
- Storm damage in big woods. Tall oaks and tulip poplars on large, wooded lots come down in nor'easters, sometimes across driveways hundreds of feet long.
- Trees in conservation easements. Owners often want to clean up an easement area; only dead, threatening trees may come out, so check first.
- Trees near the Mahwah River and streams. Wet soil and stream buffers, where county or state rules can also apply.
What it costs in Montebello (2026)
| Job | Typical NY price |
|---|---|
| Small tree, under 30 ft | $300 – $600 |
| Medium tree, 30 – 60 ft | $600 – $1,200 |
| Large tree, 60 – 80 ft | $1,200 – $2,200 |
| Crane removal over a house | $2,000 – $3,500+ |
| Tree trimming, mature tree | $300 – $900 |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $400 per stump |
Cost ranges are published 2026 New York industry figures (Environmental Forest Products' 2026 Hudson Valley tree removal cost guide, eforestproducts.com; Angi's 2026 New York tree trimming cost page; HomeGuide and LawnStarter 2026 national guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town. Full breakdown: Rockland tree removal cost guide.
Long driveways and back-of-lot work put many Montebello jobs in the middle to upper ranges. Add the permit, and make sure the quote comes from a village-licensed contractor.
Services in Montebello
Tree removal
Dead, hazardous, storm-damaged or unwanted trees, including crane removals.
Emergency tree service
Trees on houses, cars and driveways after a storm.
Hazardous tree assessment
Find out whether a leaning, cracked or dying tree is actually dangerous.
Tree trimming
Deadwooding, raising limbs off the roof, thinning and cabling.
Stump grinding
Grind old stumps below grade so the lawn can come back.
Land and lot clearing
Brush, overgrowth and small-tree clearing for yards, additions and building lots.
Neighborhoods we cover in and around Montebello
We match homeowners across Montebello: Montebello Road, the neighborhoods near Kakiat Park and the Mahwah River, and the streets bordering Suffern, Airmont, Wesley Hills and Sloatsburg. Nearby we also cover Suffern, Airmont, Wesley Hills and Sloatsburg.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Rockland County tree care company that holds a Rockland County home improvement contractor license and carries liability insurance, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Montebello questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Montebello, NY?
Yes. Any tree with a caliper of 4 inches or more (measured 4 feet up) needs a village permit. With a permit you can remove one tree per 10,000 sq ft of lot every two years, up to 8 in two years and 12 in six; dead or nearly dead trees are unlimited with proof.
Can any tree company work in Montebello?
No. A tree removed by anyone other than the owner must be removed by a tree contractor licensed within the Village. Ask Village Hall for the current list, and make sure the company also holds a Rockland County license.
What happens if a tree is cut without a permit?
Owners face fines of up to $1,000 per offense and up to $20,000 per lot; contractors up to $10,000 and loss of their village license.
How much does tree removal cost in Montebello?
Published 2026 New York ranges: about $600 to $1,200 for a medium tree, $1,200 to $2,200 for large, $2,000 to $3,500 or more for crane work, plus $100 to $400 per stump, plus the village permit fee.