Tree Removal City of Kingston
Razor Blade Tree Specialists works across the City of Kingston, from the green wedge edge at Dingley Village to the bayside suburbs of Mordialloc, Mentone and Cheltenham, each of which has its own page. Kingston has a clear tree local law and specific planning triggers, and part of Cheltenham falls under Bayside instead, so we check the rules for your address first. We are a family business operating since 2006 from Narre Warren North, with a Level 5 qualified arborist and our own crew.
About The Area
The City of Kingston was gazetted on 15 December 1994. It brought together all of the former City of Chelsea, most of the former City of Mordialloc, a substantial part of the former City of Moorabbin, and parts of the former Cities of Oakleigh and Springvale. It covers about 91 square kilometres, had 158,129 residents at the 2021 census, and has 13 km of Port Phillip coastline. Cheltenham, Highett and Oakleigh South are shared with neighbouring councils. In Cheltenham's case the other council is Bayside, which has a different tree permit threshold.
The local law. Kingston's Community Local Law requires a permit to remove a tree on private land with a trunk circumference greater than 110 cm measured at its base, a multi-stemmed tree whose exterior stems total 110 cm or more at the base, or a tree planted as a condition of a previous permit. Pruning beyond the Australian pruning standards also needs a permit. Exemptions cover trees under 110 cm and environmental weeds listed in Schedule 6, such as Hawthorn, Mirror Bush and Sweet Pittosporum. Council lists a local law fee of $130 per tree, waived for pensioners. It accepts property damage, health and safety risks, constrained development and medical reasons as grounds for removal, but not leaf litter, gutter cleaning, blocked views, shadowing or appearance. Most approvals require a replacement tree, with a photo sent to council within 30 days. A refused local law application can be appealed, with an independent arborist's assessment being final.
Planning controls. Since 15 September 2025, Clause 52.37 has required a planning permit to remove some canopy trees in residential and mixed use zones. A tree is covered when it is at least 5 metres tall, has a 4 metre canopy and a trunk circumference over 0.5 metres at 1.4 metres, and stands within 6 metres of the front boundary, within 4.5 metres of the rear boundary, or anywhere on a vacant lot. Council lists the planning fee as $233.10. A tree protected by the planning scheme does not also need a local law permit, and refused planning permits can go to VCAT. On land over 4,000 square metres, a permit may be needed to remove native vegetation.
Landscape. The Kingston Green Wedge covers 2,070 hectares, about 23 per cent of the municipality, across Heatherton, Clarinda, Dingley Village and Braeside. It includes Braeside Park and Karkarook Park, as well as former sand mines and landfills now being turned into reserves. Council's indigenous plant list includes River Red Gum, Swamp Gum, Yellow Box, Narrow-leaf Peppermint, Coastal Manna Gum, Coastal Banksia, Drooping She-oak, Coastal Tea-tree and Swamp Paperbark.
Suburbs we service in Kingston include Dingley Village, Mordialloc, Cheltenham and Mentone, along with the surrounding suburbs. Kingston's vegetation officers are on 1300 653 356.
What We Do
Across the City of Kingston we provide tree removal, pruning to the Australian Standard, hedge trimming, palm tree removal, stump grinding and removal, storm and emergency work, arborist reports for local law and planning applications, bamboo removal, land and block clearing, and mulching and green waste removal. Our Dingley Village, Mordialloc, Cheltenham and Mentone pages explain how Kingston's rules apply locally, from coastal gardens on Beaumaris Bay to properties near the green wedge, and the Bayside rules that apply in western Cheltenham.
Why Razor Blade
Kingston's rules are specific about measurements, pruning standards and replacement planting, and we work to them. Our Level 5 qualified arborist assesses each tree before we quote, and our own crew does the work, with no subcontractors. We are a family business that has been operating since 2006, fully insured with $20 million public liability, and we work for homeowners, councils and schools. Standard hours are 7am to 5pm, and emergency call outs are available 24/7. Quotes are free, with no obligation, and we leave every site clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which suburbs do you cover in the City of Kingston?
We have dedicated pages for Dingley Village, Mordialloc, Cheltenham and Mentone, and we also work in the surrounding Kingston suburbs. Call 0481 111 804 to check your area.
What size tree needs a permit in Kingston?
Under the Community Local Law, a tree with a trunk circumference over 110 cm measured at its base, a multi-stemmed tree totalling 110 cm or more at the base, or a tree planted as a permit condition. Some canopy trees near boundaries need a planning permit under Clause 52.37 instead.
How much are Kingston's permit fees?
Council currently lists $130 per tree for a local law permit, waived for pensioners, and $233.10 for a planning permit. Our tree work is quoted separately and free.
What reasons will Kingston accept for removing a tree?
Property damage, health and safety risks, constrained development and medical reasons. Leaf litter, gutter cleaning, blocked views, shadowing and appearance are not accepted.
Is all of Cheltenham in Kingston?
No. Cheltenham is split between Kingston and Bayside. Bayside's local law threshold is a trunk circumference over 155 cm at 1 metre above ground, and it has its own Vegetation Protection Overlay over parts of Cheltenham. Bayside's number is (03) 9599 4666.
What native trees grow in Kingston?
Council's indigenous plant list includes River Red Gum, Swamp Gum, Yellow Box and Coastal Manna Gum inland, and Coastal Banksia, Coastal Tea-tree and Drooping She-oak in coastal soils.
Who do I call about a storm-damaged tree in Kingston?
For trees on your property, call us on 0481 111 804 for 24/7 emergency call outs. Kingston says it cannot act on storm-damaged private trees and directs emergencies to the SES on 132 500.
How do I book a quote in Kingston?
Ring 0481 111 804, or send your address and a few photos showing the tree, the trunk base and how we would get to it to info@razorbladetreespecialists.com.au. An on-site quote follows, at no cost and with no obligation.